Hold Candidate

Bennyhana

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
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I received an email the other day saying I was put on the National Waiting List and found academically qualified. However, its FEB, 22. This feels to me that this status change is very late in the process, should I be worried?
 
Okay, I have another question about how I find my states allocations of slots. I am from West Virginia, received a nomination from Senator Manchin, and I was put on the "Hold" or "National Waiting list". How many can be entered from WV and what do you think my chances are??
 
Okay, I have another question about how I find my states allocations of slots. I am from West Virginia, received a nomination from Senator Manchin, and I was put on the "Hold" or "National Waiting list". How many can be entered from WV and what do you think my chances are??
I just tagged you on a post that details how many from each state. WV has 2 spots.
 
WV has 2 spots.
Don't get too hung up on the numbers in that table. There are numerous caveats to consider and realize that this guide is not a concrete rule. This table simply guides how the school should fill out the composition of the incoming class UNTIL 1 April. After that time, if there are seats left (and there always are), USMMA can fill it based on order of merit on the NWL (HOLD list). The table is a starting point. The lawsuit where I found the table was from a student who was upset that USMMA didn't precisely follow the list and the final class composition had fewer than what was in the table for his state. The court ruled that USMMA followed procedure and their actions of deviating from the table is ok following the 1 APRIL point of the admissions cycle. Notice where we are in the calendar though, and if your state met their limit of candidates who shared their appointment here at SAF and said they accepted or would accept, then it will be quiet until after 1 April for those remaining on the NWL. Candidates also need to understand we don't have all of the data for those applying in our appointment tracking threads.

As for FEB being late in the game.... that is NOT the case for Service Academy admissions. LATE is the May/June window.
 
Don't get too hung up on the numbers in that table. There are numerous caveats to consider and realize that this guide is not a concrete rule. This table simply guides how the school should fill out the composition of the incoming class UNTIL 1 April. After that time, if there are seats left (and there always are), USMMA can fill it based on order of merit on the NWL (HOLD list). The table is a starting point. The lawsuit where I found the table was from a student who was upset that USMMA didn't precisely follow the list and the final class composition had fewer than what was in the table for his state. The court ruled that USMMA followed procedure and their actions of deviating from the table is ok following the 1 APRIL point of the admissions cycle. Notice where we are in the calendar though, and if your state met their limit of candidates who shared their appointment here at SAF and said they accepted or would accept, then it will be quiet until after 1 April for those remaining on the NWL. Candidates also need to understand we don't have all of the data for those applying in our appointment tracking threads.

As for FEB being late in the game.... that is NOT the case for Service Academy admissions. LATE is the May/June window.
Yes, I was answering his state allocation question, even though it isn’t cut and dry. I tagged him in your earlier post instead of typing all of that.
 
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do they send out appointments, denial, prep offers this upcoming march? my son still on hold and have not seen any CO slots in appointments thread.
 
Appointments will come between now and June, with most in March/April. Remember that people on this forum represent only 10-15% of candidates. Good luck.
 
@knighthorse73 - prior admissions cycles potentially give clues to the pace and frequency of appointment offers. Every year is different, but you can see trends that seem to apply across different years which suggest to me there is a general pace they try to follow. In terms of reported numbers, we are behind the pace from the prior 3 admissions cycles - but there are too many reasons that could behind that stat to really know the driving forces. I'm spitballing, but we appear to have seen a ~25% jump in appointments reported during the month of Marh followed next by 1 May.

Look at this current chart to demonstrate the inflection points and where they have happened in the recent pass from USMMA. Last year, the first significant bump in appointment offers happened right about now (yellow line).

The key takeaway is that they are no where near done making appointment offers to applicants, so be as patient as you can be and when that doesn't work, scan through the prior year appointment posts (skip to the end of the post) and mine the data to make charts. just sayin...

1614624465973.png
 
This is such an informative graph! Does that mean before April 1st, they don't offer appointments to the National Waiting list applicants? Aka, I should not expect anything for at least a month as a hold candidate?
 
This is such an informative graph! Does that mean before April 1st, they don't offer appointments to the National Waiting list applicants? Aka, I should not expect anything for at least a month as a hold candidate?
Long story, I'll spare you the details. Short version - for USMMA only, the rules on how they construct the class change after 1 April. Before, they seek to follow a table that outlines the ideal mix of students from different states. They offer appointments based on that guidance and wait to see who accepts. After 1 April, they then pivot to work down their HOLD (NWL) list.

While not likely 100% true, iF it helps ease your mind, HOLD candidates should assume they will not see or hear anything until at least 1 April because of the USMMA process. After 1 April, they will issue more rounds (typically weekly) of appointment offers. Then, with a roughly 1 MAY deadline to accept or decline, all UNDECIDED candidates have their hand forced and USMMA instantly knows where they stand in filling out the class.

Imaginary example numbers -- If they have 285 appointments to fill in the class, and only 250 have accepted by 1 MAY, they then issue another round of ~50 appointments knowing some will decline.

These trigger dates explain the bumps on the chart, but also know that admissions likely has a weekly meeting to issue new appointment offers as they get closer to the key dates.
 
Long story, I'll spare you the details. Short version - for USMMA only, the rules on how they construct the class change after 1 April. Before, they seek to follow a table that outlines the ideal mix of students from different states. They offer appointments based on that guidance and wait to see who accepts. After 1 April, they then pivot to work down their HOLD (NWL) list.

While not likely 100% true, iF it helps ease your mind, HOLD candidates should assume they will not see or hear anything until at least 1 April because of the USMMA process. After 1 April, they will issue more rounds (typically weekly) of appointment offers. Then, with a roughly 1 MAY deadline to accept or decline, all UNDECIDED candidates have their hand forced and USMMA instantly knows where they stand in filling out the class.

Imaginary example numbers -- If they have 285 appointments to fill in the class, and only 250 have accepted by 1 MAY, they then issue another round of ~50 appointments knowing some will decline.

These trigger dates explain the bumps on the chart, but also know that admissions likely has a weekly meeting to issue new appointment offers as they get closer to the key dates.
So im still on hold currently from February 12. If April 1st passes and Im still on hold does that mean my chances of getting in are slim? Knighthorse73 is my mom
 
No. Many appointments will come after April 1. You still are in the running until you are told no. I understand the waiting is excruciating, but try to enjoy your remaining time with friends and family and don't worry about what you cannot control. Good luck.
 
So im still on hold currently from February 12. If April 1st passes and Im still on hold does that mean my chances of getting in are slim? Knighthorse73 is my mom
I would say if you are still on hold 1 JUNE your chances are slim, but not until then.
 
So im still on hold currently from February 12. If April 1st passes and Im still on hold does that mean my chances of getting in are slim? Knighthorse73 is my mom
do they send out appointments, denial, prep offers this upcoming march? my son still on hold and have not seen any CO slots in appointments thread.
Not necessarily . . . For example in the Class of 2022 I had two Candidates (one App on File, One Hold) that each received an Appointment after June 1st. Patient is a VIRTUE. Hang in there.

In the meantime try to distract yourself by working out . . . I'll attach the suggested workout program for Indoctrination.

Fitness Preparation for Indoctrination
Class of 2024
 
Hello there... just stumbled across this forum and signed up a few minutes ago. May I ask where you were able to the get the USMMA CO25 Appointments graph from? It is incredibly informative.... would love to get regular updates (fingers crossed son gets accepted; nothing heard yet)
 
Hello there... just stumbled across this forum and signed up a few minutes ago. May I ask where you were able to the get the USMMA CO25 Appointments graph from? It is incredibly informative.... would love to get regular updates (fingers crossed son gets accepted; nothing heard yet)
I created a tracking spreadsheet during the last admissions cycle as we eagerly waited on news, movement, any sign of activity from admissions. I can start posting updates more regularly if it is helpful. As the cycle moves on, a Friday evening update is generally warranted. So far, we just have not had a lot of self reported appointment offers this year. The data comes from the appointment tracking posts here at SAF. Like this one - they go back several years.
 
Is there a way to determine in the current period of the current cycle, the amount of appointments still out there to be offered? Also what percentage of hold candidates get offered an appointment?

I figure like many others applying, I've found this forum and now I check it about a couple times a day. There is a strong sense of community here and I appreciate everyone who has commented on here, and has offered insightful answers. I am very hopeful!
 
@Bennyhana - Here are multiple years of data: https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile

For the prior class:
1758 opened an application
of those - only 809 actually completed the application process
of those - only 593 were deemed "qualified" -- I would put them in the HOLD category
of those - 428 received offers of appointment

As I read it - for those in a Qualified or HOLD status, 72% received an appointment last year. If you were in a group of 10 stellar kids -- could you beat 3 in a competition? I like those odds.
 
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