What it doesn't include, and where it get's tricky, is how you perceive a student with USCGA #1, USNA #2, and USAFA #3 who was self prep and received an appointment to school choice #2 and/or #3, but not school choice #1. In this example, was it a failure? Did the year of prep not work for them? Statistically it would show as a miss if you are simply looking at - student wanted USCGA, but did not receive an appointment to USCGA.
It also listed 1 student who received an appointment after 3 tries, and several who had done 2yrs at the school prior to receiving an appointment.
Certainly not a golden ticket via the self prep route, and why many suggest going to a 4yr program and put the prep schedule together on your own. Each student has to decide the best fit for them academically, physically, mentally, geographically, and financially.