<p>The law allows the class to be filled using up to 150 candidates with NO NOMINATIONS. The intent is to use these fills only when they are short of qualified candidates with nominations who accept.</p>
<p>It would be a lot less of a "shot-in-the-dark" if your son pounds the admissions folks with his desire to attend USNA and convince them that he would absolutely jump at the opportunity if given. Of course all this is assuming his record can hold water compared to many of the candidates already offered appointments through nomination.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>