The SA have a two step process. Before you can get an appointment you must receive a nomination from one of the many avenues. This makes becoming a Plebe a little more difficult compared to a State U. If you truly want to serve there are three ways to accomplish your goals. Always work Plan A, B, and C simultaneously.
Push Hard, Press Forward
I guess the thing I find confusing is.... why?
Here's what I know. There are MANY more steps in applying and being accepted to a service academy. My experience is dated now, but the first thing I had to do was show interest. I then applied. After I applied I had to do things like the PAE/PFE, interview, interview, interview, go through DODMERB (again and again and again), etc. This was true for my application to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The only difference with my application to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy was the Congressional nomination, which, let's be honest, is not the limiting factor in someon being accepted or rejected from a service academy.
There was much more to do for my service academy applications than, say, Washington University in St. Louis or Vanderbilt University.
But.... before I had to do ANY of that... I had to apply. After I showed interest.... I APPLIED. Yes, after I applied, there was more to do, but up until I applied, it was no different from Wash U. or Vandy.
So, why do West Point and Annapolis not count completed applications instead of applications started (and not finished)? One reason..... to make West Point and Annapolis LOOK more competitive. Without trying to augment application numbers USMA and USNA would still have impressive stats.
Frankly, without the fine print... it looks dishonest to me. But of course, that doesn't keep Annapolis from including the information as a boiler plate on its news releases.