State Maritime or University?

J

JaJ

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I am a high school Junior interested in enrolling at USMMA. If I don't make it in the first time around, I fully intend to apply again the next year. I understand that prospective mids are advised to attend college if they don't make it in after highschool, but I am wondering which college would be more impressive to admissions. I live in Michigan and have a number of options, namely the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, etc. University of Michigan is prestigious and harder to get into than GLMA, but GLMA could give me valuable experience that directly relates to USMMA's coursework. Any advice on where I should go if I don't get in? Thanks!
 
JaJ said:
I am a high school Junior interested in enrolling at USMMA. If I don't make it in the first time around, I fully intend to apply again the next year. I understand that prospective mids are advised to attend college if they don't make it in after highschool, but I am wondering which college would be more impressive to admissions. I live in Michigan and have a number of options, namely the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, etc. University of Michigan is prestigious and harder to get into than GLMA, but GLMA could give me valuable experience that directly relates to USMMA's coursework. Any advice on where I should go if I don't get in? Thanks!
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Please don't select a college just because you think it would good to the USMMA admissions committee -- assess each of your options and see which "fits" you the best and moves you closer to your life goals if you not get into USMMA. Select a institution that will challenge you and where you can thrive. IMHO.
 
More important than the university name on the transcript are the grades contained therin. Getting As at community college will carry more weight than Bs or Cs at UM.

Focus on your general education core courses over anything Maritime, ideally the credits are transferable. Not having to take calculus or physics or chemistry at KP will give you a monstrous leg up on getting through the plebe year academics.
 
My DS is a reapplicant and is at Texas Maritime/Texas A&M. As a reapplicant you must have LORs from college math and science teaches. His Marine Transportation major is a set curiculum and USMMA was not pleased with the choice of teachers he could ask a recommendation from. Consequently we are not optomistic but that is OK because he loves Galveston after coming from the NE. On the other hand the MOCs were thrilled to see him taking the courses he was.

So just make sure you take Calc, Chem and or Physics as a college freshman and do well in them if you have to go that route.
 
Do courses transfer? I didn't think they did. OP may check that before running with it.
With regards picking the school, pick the school you want to attend, not the one that you think is better for trying to get in to USMMA.
and like above has said, Pick a course load that mirrors USMMA. Calc 1 and 2. Physicis 1 and 2. chemistry.
 
golfindad said:
Do courses transfer? I didn't think they did. OP may check that before running with it.
With regards picking the school, pick the school you want to attend, not the one that you think is better for trying to get in to USMMA.
and like above has said, Pick a course load that mirrors USMMA. Calc 1 and 2. Physicis 1 and 2. chemistry.
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Course credits will not transfer, but there is a process to get an exemption from some USMMA courses if a similar course was taken at another accredited college or university.
 
Transfer ... exemption ... distinction without much difference.

The point is to not to have to take the classes at KP
 
KPEngineer said:
Transfer ... exemption ... distinction without much difference.

The point is to not to have to take the classes at KP
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And and "free time" during Plebe year (or any other year for that matter) is golden.
 
The choice of College should be based on what Major field you want. Pick a College that is accredited for the Program you want. That will show USMMA Admissions Board that you can do the academics for the Major you want. Anything with engineering is especially important in choosing a college if you don't get appointed right away. Also a Military Prep School is GREAT for showing ability, military bearing, and ability to do well in a SA setting.
 
Go where you are willing to spend four years and get a degree from in the event reapplying doesn't work. Are you applying to USMMA because you want to go to sea and be a merchant mariner? If so, go to Great Lakes. If you are applying because you think the idea of going to a service academy is cool but aren't sure about the career, go to one of the state schools. If the reapplication doesn't work, you'll have more options at the state school as you figure out what you want.
 
You can let your admission office at KP know you are interested in Prep school. If they dont offer that you can go as a self-prep as well to their prep schools. It just costs more than if they offer it.
 
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