<p>With the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) mandate to reduce Cadet Wing end-strength to 4,000 by 1 October 2012, USAFA made several significant changes in its admissions process. First and foremost, we can no longer bring in approximately 1,300 students per incoming class. For the Class of 2015, USAFA admitted approximately 1,120 appointees; for the Class of 2016, we will only accept 1,040 appointees. Starting with the Class of 2017 and for the foreseeable future, approximately 1,165 appointees will enter into the Cadet Wing. </p>
<p>In the past, USAFA Admissions managed class sizes with a “rolling admissions” process. As candidates completed their applications, competitive candidates were selected and approved for an appointment. As we go forward with the Class of 2016 composition, Admissions will identify the bulk of appointment recommendations during Regular Selections in March 2012 with few exceptions. As a result, respective candidate appointment information will not be provided until the later part of March and final notifications will not be completed until the first week of April. </p>
<p>West Point (USMA) and Annapolis (USNA) are also reducing their corps/brigade size; however they will not be decreasing their numbers at the same rate as USAFA. Therefore they are not experiencing the same impact on their number of appointments.</p>