NROTC or Kings Point

[cjprime12]

Hello Everyone,
I have received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy and I am deciding between that and Texas A&M. I received an NRTOC Scholarship to Texas A&M and almost everything is paid for so money is not the deciding factor for me. At Texas A&M they have the Corps of Cadets so it's almost like a service academy experience, not your average NROTC school. However, the Merchant Marine academy seems appealing as well with Sea Year and the true service academy experience. This is a big decision for me so I would just like to hear any opinions if anyone has one. Thanks.

 

[phil61526]

Neither is a bad choice but if you can afford A&M with your scholarship definitely A&M - so many more choices compared to USMMA

 

[momx3]

Hello Everyone,
I have received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy and I am deciding between that and Texas A&M. I received an NRTOC Scholarship to Texas A&M and almost everything is paid for so money is not the deciding factor for me. At Texas A&M they have the Corps of Cadets so it's almost like a service academy experience, not your average NROTC school. However, the Merchant Marine academy seems appealing as well with Sea Year and the true service academy experience. This is a big decision for me so I would just like to hear any opinions if anyone has one. Thanks.

Congratulations on your accomplishment! It is good to have choices! In making your decision, you will have to also decide what it is you'd like to study in school, and what type of career you think you'd like to have in the future. It is my understanding that USMMA only has studies pertaining to Marine Engineering or Marine Engineering Systems, Marine transportation and security etc. If this interests you, great! If not, then you may wish to consider Texas A&M for the added academic areas of study. Both places will challenge you academically and physically. USMMA is also a smaller school, with smaller class sizes, so that may also be something for your to consider depending on your learning style. Is there any way you can visit both places before you need to decide, if you have not already done so, as it may help you figure out where you think you'll be most successful. Best of luck in your decision!

 

[mtnwing]

I was accepted to Kings Point but opted to go to Notre Dame. For me I wasn't sure I wanted to be a Marine Engineer and Kings Point has a very limited set of majors if you change your mind. Both were beautiful schools. I would recommend that you be sure you want to be in Marine Engineering or a Ship Captain if you go to Kings Point. There are very few paths there and you need to be certain.

 

[franknd]

I have a son currently in the A&M Corps of Cadets (AROTC) and a nephew who graduated from Kings Point seven years ago or so. A significant difference is that with KP you will have the choice whether to go active duty or not (and, if so, which service). No choice in the matter with NROTC. I'm told, though, that KP is an academic grind, largely I think because of sea year and having to basically fit 4 years of academics into 3 years. OTOH, from what I gather, KP grads are in extremely high demand in the working world.

Finally, I will say this about A&M -- esprit de corps is off the charts good. I tend to think ROTC scholarship at A&M along with, for example, TASSP (or other similar scholarship) is an outstanding deal, and it still gives considerably more freedom than academy life.

Great choices both ways.