Graduating with bachelors in December..

vesselsgalore

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So I'm graduating with my bachelors in December with a sluggish GPA 3.3-3.5 but three years of full time work experience, volunteering, etc. Also recipient of highest scholarship my university gives.

I really want to join the USMMA (have since I started college) but have finally decided. Have you ever met someone with a bachelor degree coming in. How weird will it be, being older?

Will they weight my high school profile more than my undergrad profile?
Ex. during high school: 32/33 ACT, 4.7 GPA, Student Government VP, BETA Club Pres, etc, 3rd out of whatever.

Going off that I feel comfortable, otherwise my college has been a bit sporadic due to working full time and school. The reason I want to go the USMMA is to honestly study marine engineer, and get a chance to really kind of 'start over' in a challenging and intellectually stimulating path.

Just curious if anyone has tips for older applicants or has even heard of someone older coming in?
 
How old are you? You can't be older than 25 on July 1 of the year you enter.
 
20 turning 21 here in the next couple weeks. Will be turning 22 if accepted into next cycle or 23 if accepted in the one after.
 
One of my classmates had a bachelors before she started. Totally can be done. Another guy was right at the 25 cut off.
 
You'll probably get in. But it probably isn't worth it if you already have a degree in something good. Life here at the academy sucks, and most of the upper class that isn't "locked on" delusional would agree with that.
 
You'll probably get in. But it probably isn't worth it if you already have a degree in something good. Life here at the academy sucks, and most of the upper class that isn't "locked on" delusional would agree with that.

Why do you say it sucks?
Guess I see it from the point of view as a way to start over.
 
Why do you say it sucks?
Guess I see it from the point of view as a way to start over.


He/she is a plebe from the look of it. Also please remember life while you're at USMMA often isn't fun but the only way to figure out if USMMA is for a person like you is to go on an overnight visit - I recommend you arrange one ASAP if you are serious. Also remember if you haven't started the application/admissions process you need to do that ASAP if you are looking to get into the Class of 2020 as the deadlines for most Congressional Nominations Applications is within the next couple of months.

Actually in almost every entering Class there are at least one entering Pleb Candidate who is in the situation of having already graduated and they decided they wanted to be a Mariner or go active duty, etc. I've known a few, and I'm confident in saying while all of us who've graduated have had our own "Why am I doing this?" moment during our time at USMMA, I seriously doubt any of those people had them during their first month or two at USMMA as it appears Jmoney457 is having it presently.

Good luck to both of you, sounds like you both need it for different reasons right now.
 
Why do you say it sucks?
Guess I see it from the point of view as a way to start over.

Probably not a way to start over. Indoc is basically hell, where your squad leaders micromanage every second of your time and scream at you for no reason and make you scream back. Very constructive environment /sarcasm.
 
Probably not a way to start over. Indoc is basically hell, where your squad leaders micromanage every second of your time and scream at you for no reason and make you scream back. Very constructive environment /sarcasm.

Sounds to me indoc gave you the experience it was supposed to. It isn't supposed to be summer camp.

Not to discourage you, but there are much steeper mountains still to summit at KP. I wouldn't call indoc easy, but compared to some of the challenges you'll face in the next four years it will seem insignificant. Keep moving forward.
 
Hey @beyond do you have any tips on taking care of/washing your uniform as a plebe. My khakis are in bad shape and I get in trouble for it occasionally with the '16 guys.
 
Ehh. I was never known for being regimentally inclined. Find the super locked on kid who did JROTC all through Highschool and see if they'll help you, washing machine, starch, and an iron. Try and spend as little time in them too so they stay cleaner longer.
 
My company has a bunch of jokers from NMMI that got us continual "Rifle PT" seshs during indoc.
 
JMoney : Hang in there it all gets better - just make sure if you can at ll select it (doesn't conflict with a sport you are playing varsity) you go B split and get out to sea year quickly. Also remember - academics first priority (if you fail they kick you out); second priority - keep your sanity which for me was my athletics that kept me sane - fail at keeping your sanity/priorities straight and well who knows what happens; third priority - regimental stuff - it's really the easiest to "master" by doing things like what you're doing hear - asking questions of anyone who can give you the inside track/advice and if you fail at it, they restrict you or make you do PT, etc. and since your a PC now restriction doesn't mean much anyway....
 
Hey @beyond do you have any tips on taking care of/washing your uniform as a plebe. My khakis are in bad shape and I get in trouble for it occasionally with the '16 guys.
Don't worry too much about that uniform stuff.. As Jasperdog said, focus on academics. Do what you have to do to get through that first year and out to sea in the Real Merchant Marine [the RMM is about 100 light years distance from KP].. We couldn't give 2 $hits about uniforms. You won't be wearing 'em for sure. Just remember when you get to sea, bring a good attitude, sturdy work clothes and no fear of getting your hands dirty. If you do that, you'll be fine. The best cadets I ever had on board my ship were, as beyond described himself, 'less regimentally inclined'. 'Steady as she goes' shipmate and good luck! ;)
 
Vesselsgalore - Go for it...Only you can decide if it is worth it or not. I met a student last year who first worked, then went to their local community college got their Assoc and then applied and got in and is liking it and doing well. Do not let anybody tell you it's not worth it....I am sure you know and are aware that you will be starting at the bottom and you will have to put up with some junk/crap as do all plebe candidates and plebes. Some of the academics should be a repeat for you so you should do well.

You state that you want to study marine engineering...that's great, but you also know that you will need to either serve or work in the industry for a minimum of time depending on which avenue you pursue.

Call admissions and ask your questions, and make sure if you will or will not have to re-take the ACT/SAT...get your MOC apps and letters lined up and start the application process...if YOU want.

Best of luck to you what ever path you venture down.
 
Hey @beyond do you have any tips on taking care of/washing your uniform as a plebe. My khakis are in bad shape and I get in trouble for it occasionally with the '16 guys.
Don't put them in the dryer. Once you get a good crease in them, let them air dry on a hanger. The creases will stay through many washings that way.

I went through probably at least a hundred washings and the creases were still good.
 
This thread has taken a bit of a turn, but I agree with the fellow alumni above. Yeah, Indoc was tough. . . not to sound like a curmudgeon, but in our day, there was no AC for those nasty Plebe Beats in the summer heat. . . in the long run, it was a bump in the road. . . I certainly had issues with the Regimental side of things at first. . . .seems I was placed on report for just about anything . . . .spent my first Plebe Liberty onboard, attending the nasty random Restriction Musters. . . but I did catch on after a bit and rarely got any demerits the rest of my time there. From my behavior, during upper-class years, that was quite an achievement (I have tales that will make cadet parents tremble). I still remember a week or so into Indoc, after filling my head with Plebe Knowledge by rote, standing at my sink, working to get the lacquer off of my belt buckle so the Brasso could do its work, wondering how I was going to find the time to spit shine my shoes again. . . thinking how much easier it would be to go back home to California and take some classes at Sac State. . . . . glad I got over it. . .
 
Hey @beyond do you have any tips on taking care of/washing your uniform as a plebe. My khakis are in bad shape and I get in trouble for it occasionally with the '16 guys.
Don't worry too much about that uniform stuff.. As Jasperdog said, focus on academics. Do what you have to do to get through that first year and out to sea in the Real Merchant Marine [the RMM is about 100 light years distance from KP].. We couldn't give 2 $hits about uniforms. You won't be wearing 'em for sure. Just remember when you get to sea, bring a good attitude, sturdy work clothes and no fear of getting your hands dirty. If you do that, you'll be fine. The best cadets I ever had on board my ship were, as beyond described himself, 'less regimentally inclined'. 'Steady as she goes' shipmate and good luck! ;)


Oddly enough, the ONLY ship that I ever wore my uniform on was the PRESIDENT EISENHOWER with APL, my first ship back in 78. The Old Man insisted that all officers and cadets wore khakis at meal time WITH appropriate shoulderboards, etc. . . . Never, ever had to do that again on any vessel. . . .
 
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