It Is Complicated AND There Is Misinformation In This Thread...
So first off in direct answer to Lynpar's first question: "Am I understanding this? Indiana only can have 3 appointments each year to Kings Point? 3? "
No, you are mixing and matching the information that is on the website and in the catalog, etc. It is basically true that Indiana currently has an allotment of 3 slots in each years entering class. That's based on the current authorized entering class size. However that does NOT mean that Indiana, or any State for that matter, is limited to only those allocated slots.
As noted a Nomination from a Member of Congress is required. There are NO Presidential or Vice Presidential Nominees to the USMMA. As noted on the Academy website, you may be nominated by ANY member who represents your State. However, unlike the other Academies where a nomination is required, neither the President or Vice President nominates candidates for Admission to Kings Point. From the current website:
N.B. There are no Presidential, Vice-Presidential, military-affiliated, JROTC-honor unit, ROTC or Unit Commander, or Medal of Honor nominations permitted to the Academy. Those nominations, along with others, are only permitted to the 3 Department of Defense Academies (West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force). This is in accordance with federal law (the Code of Federal Regulations).
Reference:
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/facts/nominations.shtml
Each nominating authority may nominate up to ten (10) candidates for the USMMA. Those nominees then compete first for the spots in the entering class for their State. After those appointments are made, all remaining nominees are placed into a National Pool and they compete for the remaining available slots - basically those that are not used by the States that historically do not use their spots; and those spots that the admissions office has historically seen not taken/filled by those offered appointments.
Much of the confusion comes from the fact that basically on average 450 appointments are granted/offered (sorry I don't have my latest data to the recent entering classes. These come from a pool of fully completed applications with nominations, the maximum number of
unique nominees is basically limited to the total Membership of Congress (435 Representatives + 100 Senators X 10) which means there theoretically could be as many as 5,350 young men or woman competing for the available spots in each class. Again I don't have the latest data in front of me but I recall looking at it and believe that the number of completed full applications with nominations generally is between 1,250 and 1,500 nation-wide. Of course while 350 out of 1250 is probably more welcome news to you than 400 out of 5350, it is still a very competitive admissions process. (Note - the actual numbers I have for the entering class of 2013 were: Applications: 1823; Nominations 1345; Incomplete Applications: 1075; Met Selection Criteria: 494; Not Academically Qualified: 218; Not Physically Qualified: 31; Declined Appointment: 159; Appointments Offered: 450; Plebes Reporting In: 291 - the 291 includes International Students.)
In the case of the Indiana, the latest data I have on hand is as of September 1, 2009 - for the Classes of 2009 there were 5 graduates, likewise in the Class of 2010 - 5 graduates. My understanding is there are/were as of that date 4 Hoosiers in the Class of 2011, 2 in the Class of 2012 and 4 in the Class of 2013.
Some misunderstandings in prior posts worth mentioning are:
* Allotment of available appointments at USMMA is NOT by individual Member of Congress, that is something people seem to get wrong or confused with the USMA, USNA, and USAFA process where the concept of "Principle Nominee" has meaning and standing. For the USMMA process the "allotment" is by the entire State, and as noted that only applies to States that fill 100% of their allotted spots which is usually the top 10 States which are sources of USMMA Midshipmen.
* Also in response to dpt135's posted question, at the USNA, USMA, and USAFA, even if your nominating authority has "filled their spots" - it's my understanding that means his or her nominees are treated like everyone else's first through ninth alternates. However, that question is best asked at the Academy Forum where he/she is most interested and that process applies, it does not apply to USMMA, where basically all of the Nominees from a particular state have the same standing and
starting position in competition for that State's available allotted spots.
* A nomination may be given to any qualified applicant who is domiciled within a Member of Congress' State by a nominating authority. They may nominate up to 10 annually. You do NOT have to be a resident within the nominating authorities district, just his or her State.
* The maximum number of nominations from a single nominating authority in any given year is ten (10) not five (5). Further ALL nominees to USMMA have the same standing in the admissions process - there are no "principle nominees" etc. though often Members of Congress use that language in the letters they send out as it applies to USMA, USNA, and USAFA.
Finally, in summary answer to Lynpar's second post:
Okay, I am dense! My state has 2 senators and 9 members of the house. So 11 nomination sources throughout the state. Luckily ds has already received a letter from one that he has received nomination (jumping for joy icon here)! Assuming all choose to nominate, and fill their slate, there could be 110 nominations for my state? Now assuming all previous years are full we are only thinking of this years spots, are the 110 competing against all or just the other 9 on their slate? And for 11'new spaces available or 3 which I have found as the number on a government document source? Or if 5 can nominated per source total number would be 55. Are those 55 competing against the 54 other of just the other 4 on their nom. slate? I know, I know, I have been told I could complicate a crow-bar!
- You are correct there could be as many as 110 unique individuals competing for the 3 spots allotted to Indiana for the next entering class.
- Each nominating authority could indeed nominate as many as ten, however I'd expect a landlocked state like Indiana to not use all 110 available nominations, though given the Class of 2012 also had a "quota" of 3 and only currently has two members from Indiana, I'd be surprised if all the Nominating Authorities use all their available nominations to USMMA for 110 separate and distinct individuals.
-Bottom line is that first your child is competing with the other nominees from Indiana for the quota of three (3) spots and if he/she doesn't get an appointment that way, they will then be placed in the National Pool and be competing for the remaining available spots in the authorized number of appointments which I believe is again 450.
Hope this helps... good luck to your child.