Questions

Future Marine

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
6
Alright, I've been attempting to gain acceptance into the USMMA for IDK about a year probably and I feel I'm getting closer to being accepted but I'm not so sure and I still have some questions.

(1) In the USMMA booklet they say "You must apply for an appointment as a U.S. Naval Reserve." What is an "appointment" in these terms. Also if I do apply for an appointment and I don't get accepted into the USMMA will I still be enlisted into the U.S. Naval reserve?

(2) I spoke with a state senator and said they they would gladly write me a letter of recommendation. Does this mean I have gained my nomination to the academy?

(3) If I gain more than one nomination from state senators and also a nomination from a congressman do I have a better chance at being accepted?

(4) Somewhere it says something about an interview in front of congress. What is that interview for? Also where does it take place?

(5) I got 1130 on my SAT scores. Is this good enough or should I keep trying to get higher scores?

I really am hoping I get accepted into this academy and I can't wait until then but these are the questions I have now and Thanks ahead of time to anyone who can answer them.:smile:
 
1. You apply for your appointment to the USNR when you get to the Academy. Basically you are accepted into the USNR program. Although you can commission in other branches, everyone starts off in the USNR.

2. A letter of recommendation does not necessarily mean a formal nomination. I'm sure that's what they mean, but I'd confirm that.

3. The congressional nomination is simply a check in the box. Basically it get's your application looked at. All you need is one; you won't improve your chances with multiple nominations.

4. You won't do an interview in front of the entire congress, haha. Most senators and congressmen have some sort of panel that interviews you for your nomination, however.

5. There's always room for improvement. Doesn't hurt to try again.

Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask more if you need help.
 
(2) I spoke with a state senator and said they they would gladly write me a letter of recommendation. Does this mean I have gained my nomination to the academy?

Just to clarify...

The nomination must be from one of your U.S. Senators or your U.S. Representative (Members of Congress). You say "state senators" a couple times in your post and although I'm sure you knew this already, state senators (from your state's legislature) have no power in this matter.

Go onto the website of all three of your members of congress and they should all have a section on Service Academy Nominations. That will be your best place to start and know what you have to do. Apply to all three (all you need, though, is one to give you it). If you're a senior in HS, start this process now. It can take some time to get everything together as the nomination itself is close to the same amount of work as the application to KP (at least mine was), and my interview with the nomination panel was in November. Good luck!
 
Just to clarify...

The nomination must be from one of your U.S. Senators or your U.S. Representative (Members of Congress). You say "state senators" a couple times in your post and although I'm sure you knew this already, state senators (from your state's legislature) have no power in this matter.

Go onto the website of all three of your members of congress and they should all have a section on Service Academy Nominations. That will be your best place to start and know what you have to do. Apply to all three (all you need, though, is one to give you it). If you're a senior in HS, start this process now. It can take some time to get everything together as the nomination itself is close to the same amount of work as the application to KP (at least mine was), and my interview with the nomination panel was in November. Good luck!

The earlier the better. I started the process my Junior year of HS.
 
1. You apply for your appointment to the USNR when you get to the Academy. Basically you are accepted into the USNR program. Although you can commission in other branches, everyone starts off in the USNR.

2. A letter of recommendation does not necessarily mean a formal nomination. I'm sure that's what they mean, but I'd confirm that.

3. The congressional nomination is simply a check in the box. Basically it get's your application looked at. All you need is one; you won't improve your chances with multiple nominations.

4. You won't do an interview in front of the entire congress, haha. Most senators and congressmen have some sort of panel that interviews you for your nomination, however.

5. There's always room for improvement. Doesn't hurt to try again.

Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask more if you need help.

Are you sure you apply for the USNR when you get to the academy? In the booklet it says at the same time as you apply to the academy. Also thank you for all your other information it is very helpful.

Also thankyou 2009kPer I was actually NOT looking at US state senators :-( So I guess I didn't get a nomination yet but I have talked to my state congressman and hopefully he will give me an interview but I will keep trying with the state US senators.
 
Are you sure you apply for the USNR when you get to the academy? In the booklet it says at the same time as you apply to the academy. Also thank you for all your other information it is very helpful.

Yes, he's sure. Don't worry about this right now. Every midshipman is a USNR Midshipman at some point - no ifs, ands or buts. Those who graduate into other branches commission in those branches at graduation. Please remember that KP is a maritime school, first and foremost. USNR is the "default" commission, so to speak. It is intended that you take that commission and then sail commercially on your license. Obviously, there are other options in the other branches as well, but those are the exception to the majority of graduates who stay in the USNR and sail on their license as a civilian. I had at least a couple of classmates who decided as late as our 1/C (senior) year to go into another branch, so it's not a decision that needs to be made now. You have plenty to do between now and then to even worry about that choice. The school wouldn't even accept you (by law, they could not) if you do not meet the requirements for the USNR, so it's a moot point.

Also thankyou 2009kPer I was actually NOT looking at US state senators :-( So I guess I didn't get a nomination yet but I have talked to my state congressman and hopefully he will give me an interview but I will keep trying with the state US senators.

Definitely hit up all three, interview with all three and have the mentality that each one is separate and distinct. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a Senator's nomination will be looked at differently than a Representative's. As KPaviator said, it's a check of a box on your internal application file with the admissions dept, but a damned important one.


Also, if you ever have any questions about admissions, call the admissions department at KP and ask away. See, too, about contacting a local admissions rep (alumni). The process is thorough, but with proper and early planning, not difficult to complete. If you're a senior, you gotta get going on this NOW - as in, this week, even tomorrow. If you're a junior, start looking and planning it out. Starting early never hurts. The worst someone can say to you is "thanks for your interest - please contact us again at such-n-such a date".

Good Luck!
 
Not Marines

FYI: Vessels, owned by U.S. companies, registered and operated under the American flag, comprise the U.S. merchant marine. The people who operate these vessels are referred to as Merchant Mariners (not Marines).
 
And maybe he actually wants to be a marine

In which case one would think his first choice would either be an NROTC program with a Marine Option focus or the US Naval Academy as the USMC receives their primary source of Military Academy graduates from there.
 
Or maybe he wants to be a "Merchant Marine".



I guess I would add a winky smiley here if I did that kind of thing.
 
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