MMI Prep

I have been offered USMMA sponsored prep at MMI and am trying determine if prep is my best course of action. I am highly interested in the opportunities offered at USMMA, especially Sea Year and the opportunity to choose between a Maritime career or service in the armed forces. At the moment I am leaning toward a commission in the military. My father is active duty military so I am more familiar with military careers than maritime careers. I recognize that my choice may change if I attend USMMA and learn more about the maritime industry. My concern is that since I wasn't deemed competitive enough for a direct appointment, whether or not an additional year at prep will set me up for success. I am not going to share my stats but will state that I was 3Qd for USMA and received my QNS letter in early April. I will give my studies my best effort and will avail myself of any help offered. However, from my readings of various threads, there appears to be a high drop out rate/set back rate at USMMA. Is this drop out rate mostly attributable to lack of effort or is it more a lack of innate ability? Do graduates of the MMI prep program have similar rates of success at USMMA as they do at USCGA and USMA? My other option is a 4 year ROTC scholarship at a Senior Military college. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Don't look at the drop out rate as a sign of failure. People leave for a variety of reasons. Academic issues are usually a symptom, not a cause. Lack of effort, immaturity, not interested in the material, not liking sea term, etc.

I don't agree that prep students have less success. I think many speak from anecdotal evidence but don't have the big picture. When people leave, it's very personal and people make assumptions without knowing all the facts. The deans office tracks all kinds of stats. But even if you saw the official data, would it matter? You are an individual, not a statistic. If you are determined to graduate, you will be tenacious and will succeed. Everyone has bumps along the road, some more serious than others. But you can recover if you take responsibility and work both hard and smart. It's not for lack of ability.

If you are offered a prep slot, it is a great opportunity and pretty much a golden ticket. You will be in a regimental environment and the school knows how to prepare you for the challenges ahead. Ask those who have gone to prep school. See if you can find anyone who regrets it.

1 year is a blip. The Kings point experience is like no other. It's worth it, if that's what you want.

If you are not offered a prep slot, go to a state U or good community college and reapply. Work with a field rep to improve your application.

If your goal is to get licensed ASAP, then go straight to a state maritime academy. There will be challenges there too and no guarantees. But if you are anxious to get going and can get accepted and are willing to give up on the KP dream, sure go for it.

KP20 said:

I have been offered USMMA sponsored prep at MMI and am trying determine if prep is my best course of action. I am highly interested in the opportunities offered at USMMA, especially Sea Year and the opportunity to choose between a Maritime career or service in the armed forces. At the moment I am leaning toward a commission in the military. My father is active duty military so I am more familiar with military careers than maritime careers. I recognize that my choice may change if I attend USMMA and learn more about the maritime industry. My concern is that since I wasn't deemed competitive enough for a direct appointment, whether or not an additional year at prep will set me up for success. I am not going to share my stats but will state that I was 3Qd for USMA and received my QNS letter in early April. I will give my studies my best effort and will avail myself of any help offered. However, from my readings of various threads, there appears to be a high drop out rate/set back rate at USMMA. Is this drop out rate mostly attributable to lack of effort or is it more a lack of innate ability? Do graduates of the MMI prep program have similar rates of success at USMMA as they do at USCGA and USMA? My other option is a 4 year ROTC scholarship at a Senior Military college. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

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My DS is at MMI, now. It was a great opportunity for him. Don’t let other’s opinions sway you from your goals. Good luck.

My son was a sponsored prep at NMMI and it has helped him immensely at KP in his first year. Being a sponsored prep, as Mman5247 said, is a golden ticket. If you do well in classes and maintain your GPA, you are pretty much in for an appointment the following year. My son din't like the setback of one year at first, but now he sees it has been extremely valuable. You get used to the environment, and have a chance to prepare yourself. Preps know more what to expect when they start at KP, at least that's what my son told me. Feel free to PM me and I can give you my son's email address if you would like to talk to him personally.

Thank you for the helpful responses. I appreciate your taking the time to respond and share your insight.

I'd say get into a state maritime academy, work hard, get a license, and go out there and do work. Honestly.

We are very grateful (and so is my son) for the opportunity to attend NMMI as a sponsored prep. Our son is there now---not because his grades were low, or because he did not have a high enough ACT scores--he did--but because we are from NY and it is highly competitive to get into USMMA. With that said----NMMI has been an excellent learning opportunity. My son has made life long friends. All of the sponsored preps and self preps are very bright individuals who share the same goals. Any questions...please do not hesitate to private message me! Good luck in your journey!