Maritime colleges for a person from a landlocked state?

[SamAca10]

I'm really leaning toward the Coast Guard right now, and the maritime academies look like good backups in case I don't get to the academy...I'm from a landlocked state though. How would this look to them? Would I be disadvantaged in any way? How hard is it to become a Coast Guard Officer at a maritime academy? All answers appreciated.

 

[bruno]

How it looks to the Maritime Academies to be from a landlocked state? It looks like a potential student to them
Seriously- The state Maritime colleges almost all have regional agreements with a number of other states so that you can be offered in-state tuition in the case of New York or in-region tuition in the case of Massachusetts. I'm putting the link to NY Maritime since it lists the states they have agreements with- I would look at the other schools and find that list as well to verify - again I know that Mass Maritime has similar regional agreements.

http://www.sunymaritime.edu/Business and Enrollment Services/Student Accounts/semestercosts.aspx

Also- the USCG has a direct commissioning program specifically for graduates of the Maritime colleges- The link to the Coast Guard's direct commissioning programs is at this link below:
http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-fit/officer-opportunities/programs/direct-commission-programs

One of our members is the director of admissions at Mass Maritime (FUJI). I would contact him and ask him these questions. I am pretty familiar with both NY Maritime and Mass Maritime- they are good schools which will provide you with a solid professional grounding if you are really interested in going into the USCG - and don't forget about looking at USMMA (Kings Point) which I notice from an earlier posting (in June on the USMMA forum) commissioned more guys in the Coast Guard than it did the Navy this year.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I've worked with a few people from various maritime academies...in the end it's up to the Coast Guard, but they are an option.

I would also recommend the Merchant Marine Academy. I've worked with a good number of people that were KPers....good people, even if they couldn't beat us in anything.

 

[Fuji]

Bruno,

Thank you for the mention.

SamAca10,

You can't go wrong by considering any of the state maritime academies; New York, Maine, Texas, California or Great Lakes (Traverse City MI.) Of course - if your primary objective is to be a Coast Guard Officer - your primary efforts should be to seek an appointment to the US Coast Guard Academy. Unfortunately for most students - the USCGA is extremely selective - and the state maritime colleges offer an accessible option.

If I may add; unfortunately for the Coast Guard - maritime academy graduates are offered the opportunity to earn a Coast Guard Officer commission through the program Bruno mentioned - The Coast Guard's Maritime Graduate Program (MARGRAD) - however - they also earn what is called an unlimited Coast Guard License (a license that Coast Guard Academy graduates are not allowed to sit for - but, don't be confused by that fact yet.) That Coast Guard Unlimited License opens up job opportunities with oil and shipping companies - and tends to attract Maritime Academy graduates away from the option they have to become Coast Guard and Navy officers - and towards higher paying jobs with those companies.

Feel free to contact me through this forum or by checking out our website and Twitter pages below. I'd really like to send hardcopy/email info about our Academy to allow you to learn more about us. Please email me directly with your name/contact info if you would like that info - or - if you have more questions.

Fuji

p.s. We do not care where you are from when you apply - we care if you have a serious and sincere interest in a career on the water.

Roy "Fuji" Fulgueras
Director of Admissions
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Fuji@maritime.edu
1-800-544-3411
FAX 508-830-5077
http://www.maritime.edu
http://twitter.com/MMAAdmissions

 

[bruno]

The new "youngies" reported this past weekend to Mass Maritime to begin orientation- they have a pretty good link that will give you an overview of what they are going thru and the training schedule for the next 2 weeks by day along with some pix. Naturally this has turned into the hottest week of the summer so far- Good luck newly entering class of 2013!

http://www.maritime.edu/l2.cfm?page=139

 

[J Collins]

In addition to USCGA and USMMA my daughter also applied to:

California Maritime, located outside of San Francisco and
Texas A&M-Galveston

Both have fine educational programs and offer Coast Guard or Navy programs.. Cal Maritime was choice #3 for her.

where are you from?