If you were to look at the last 4 or 5 USNA Class Profiles you would note that there have been something in excess or 15,000 applications each year (there is a question about how those numbers are derived, but that is not germane to this discussion). Further, you would discover that each year there are about 6,400 nominations awarded for NAVY. Of those about 5,200 nominations come from US Congressmen and Senators, about 800 from the President, 300 form SecNav, etc. Next you will discover that about 2,500 nominees are deemed fully qualified. USNA typically will offer 1,300 to 1,400 appointments, and that will result in an entering class of about 1,200. The numbers are approximations, but close enough to give you an overview of the process. Bear in mind that many candidates end up with noms from more than one source. Also bear in mind that there are degrees of being fully qualified; not all are equal. Finally, as to the number of offers tendered vs the number accepted, a good number of candidates have applied to more than one academy, and NAVY may not be their first choice. I know this probably raises more questions than it answers, but it should help a bit in understanding the nomination vs appointment scramble.