USMMA vs. Iowa

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Patriot05

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I have been accepted into the USMMA and to the University of Iowa (full ROTC scholarship). I would really like some advice as to why I should choose Kings Point. I have family in the armed forces, but they don't know much about the USMMA. I would really appreciate any advice from alumni, or current mids, or really anybody.

(I included the scholarship just because cost isn't a factor right now.)
 
I think it’s also important to consider what kind of college experience you are interested in. DS#1 received USNA TWE at the end of April - had a chance to really see himself at “Plan B” while he waited but would have accepted an appointment if he were offered one. Fast forward - he got to his Big10 school & didn’t want to leave. He had a classmate who reapplied and got into USNA. DS#1 realized he really liked having more freedom & is very happy where he’s at…. DS #2 on the other hand chose USMMA over an NROTC Prep Scholarship. The structure there better suits his personality.
 
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Best academy for giving you a multitude of options at graduation.
1. Go Active duty Navy and serve 5 yrs. Or cross commission into another service with the same obligation.
2. Work in the private sector of the maritime industry and serve as a Naval Reserve Officer fullfilling your commitment with a 2 weeks/yr Active Duty training for 8 yrs.
3. Grad school if you choose.
4. You can sail on your Marine license as a 3rd Mate or 3rd Engineer aboard a US Flag commercial shipping line.

Of note the current pay for a 3rd mate/3rd Engineer ranges from $120-$160k depending on the shipping line. Many grads use this as a way to pay for grad school without incurring any debt.
 
I summed up my experience for someone a few days ago. At the age of 17 I was riding a Schwinn bicycle. I entered KP at age 18. By the time I was 20 I had visited 19 countries. At age 22 I graduated and found myself in charge of the engineering watch on a 50,000 HP MSTS ship. I got my first shoreside job after a 5 minute interview with a company owned by a West Point grad. His policy was to always make an offer to SA grads and he would later figure out what to do with them. When I asked about the policy, he replied that SA grads have high levels of confidence and are very good at thinking through a decision.
 
Which ROTC? Army? Navy?

Have you visited USMMA? Iowa?

Here is my add: have you seen Iowas men’s football and basketball teams this year 😬??

Sort of kidding. Their girls team is 👌.
 
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Professor44 said:
The class of 2027 at Iowa starting last fall was over 5k. Plebe class at USMMA starts out at 280. My DS likes the small family feel that comes with USMMA- but we also come from a town of less than 5k. :)
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Our alumni is very tight. If I needed a job tomorrow I could pick up the phone and have one. If one of us was stranded in an unfamiliar port, in between ships, you can chime in on the FB alumni page and someone would have a place for you to couch surf till you got settled aboard your next ship
 
Patriot05 said:
I have been accepted into the USMMA and to the University of Iowa (full ROTC scholarship). I would really like some advice as to why I should choose Kings Point. I have family in the armed forces, but they don't know much about the USMMA. I would really appreciate any advice from alumni, or current mids, or really anybody.

(I included the scholarship just because cost isn't a factor right now.)
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Hold on. You applied to these two schools, and there are probably reasons why. Now you are asking others why you should attend? You should revisit why you started the admissions process at each in the first place. As some here have noted, the experience during / after each is at opposite ends of the spectrum. KP is on the waterfront, and the last time a ship sailed into Iowa City?
 
Iwutke said:
Hold on. You applied to these two schools, and there are probably reasons why. Now you are asking others why you should attend? You should revisit why you started the admissions process at each in the first place. As some here have noted, the experience during / after each is at opposite ends of the spectrum. KP is on the waterfront, and the last time a ship sailed into Iowa City?
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My end goal is to be in the military, not as much to be on a cargo vessel. I have applied to all of the other service academies, and I have not heard back yet. I just don't know much about the merchant marine academy, and all the advice I have gotten so far has been very helpful.
 
justdoit19 said:
Which ROTC? Army? Navy?

Have you visited USMMA? Iowa?

Here is my add: have you seen Iowas men’s football and basketball teams this year 😬??

Sort of kidding. Their girls team is 👌.
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Army ROTC, and yes we went to an Iowa women's game earlier in the season. I am going to visit Iowa later this week, and I am seriously considering doing an overnight visit at KP in April. I will probably have a clearer understanding of the two after the visits.

Mens teams are... yikes
 
Professor44 said:
The class of 2027 at Iowa starting last fall was over 5k. Plebe class at USMMA starts out at 280. My DS likes the small family feel that comes with USMMA- but we also come from a town of less than 5k. :)
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That has been the biggest factor that I have seen so far. My parents are advising that KP has a vested interest in your success, whereas your just "another head" at a larger university.
 
In some ways, it’s easier at a SA. Where the entire institution is backing and part of the goal of commissioning officers. At regular colleges, that is but the case.

You mom is not wrong in her thinking.
 
Patriot05 said:
I have been accepted into the USMMA and to the University of Iowa (full ROTC scholarship). I would really like some advice as to why I should choose Kings Point. I have family in the armed forces, but they don't know much about the USMMA. I would really appreciate any advice from alumni, or current mids, or really anybody.

(I included the scholarship just because cost isn't a factor right now.)
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I did NROTC one year at a decent size school (not State U), then went to KP, then active Navy for a few years. Have a student at KP now. Happy to chat about differences if you want to DM. There are advantages to each commissioning path, and a lot of differences in the college experience between ROTC and an academy. It's great that you can take college financing out of the decision equation.
 
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