USMMA vs VMI

Beach

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USMMA vs VMI- DS was offered an LOA to USMMA and the National NROTC scholorship to VMI. He is an athlete and can do his sport at both schools. He wants to fly post graduation and study aeronautical or aerospace engineering. USMMA only has a marine engineering program. VMI has aerospace engineering. He has visited both schools and is weighing the pros and cons. It really comes down to which school will give him the best shot at becoming a Naval Officer and flying post graduation. He has also applied to USNA and USAFA but hasn't heard from them yet. Any insight as he makes this decision would be really helpful.
 
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I would wait until he gets all his offers, final decisions do not have to be made now. He can accept his NROTC scholarship and wait to see if USNA or USAFA come through. Even with NROTC what does the financial impact look like? USMMA’s missions is very specific and their courses and training revolve around this. Does that speak to him? What are his priorities? Major, sport, school, financial impact, many others? Has he visited? What felt like home?
 
I would wait until he gets all his offers, final decisions do not have to be made now. He can accept his NROTC scholarship and wait to see if USNA or USAFA come through. Even with NROTC what does the financial impact look like? USMMA’s missions is very specific and their courses and training revolve around this. Does that speak to him? What are his priorities? Major, sport, school, financial impact, many others? Has he visited? What felt like home?
Becoming a Naval Officer and flying are his top priorities. He has had overnights at both and has formed realtionships at both schools with the coach and team. I've told him it's 100% his decision but I would "ask around" for some insight as to which one has the best path to meeting his post graduation goals of flying.
 
The chances or opportunities to be a Naval Officer and SNA are really the same at either school. Where you went to school likely has very little to do with going aviation or not. Academics, PFT scores, and testing results all have much more impact that your DS can control about going aviation. BUT!!!...the ability to go aviation right after school is up to the Navy ultimately. If he wants Aerospace Engineering major and USMMA does not have that as a option. It seems like VMI would be a better fit of school based on major.

One thing to consider also. USMMA provides more opportunities to do something else if your DS does not get aviation. If he goes to VMI, then he is locked into the URL communities. The potential Sub-Draft is a possibility. Ye be warned 😜, but that is a concern that is years in the future really.

Best advice is to concentrate on the school and major. Worry about the service community after getting to school.
 
The chances or opportunities to be a Naval Officer and SNA are really the same at either school. Where you went to school likely has very little to do with going aviation or not. Academics, PFT scores, and testing results all have much more impact that your DS can control about going aviation. BUT!!!...the ability to go aviation right after school is up to the Navy ultimately. If he wants Aerospace Engineering major and USMMA does not have that as a option. It seems like VMI would be a better fit of school based on major.

One thing to consider also. USMMA provides more opportunities to do something else if your DS does not get aviation. If he goes to VMI, then he is locked into the URL communities. The potential Sub-Draft is a possibility. Ye be warned 😜, but that is a concern that is years in the future really.

Best advice is to concentrate on the school and major. Worry about the service community after getting to school.
Great advice above. And, congratulations 🎉 to your son! His major and school choice are most important. He can continue down the path of a hopeful SNA spot, but it is never guaranteed, even with a perfect score. Many NROTC 1/Cs this year would tell you that (their first choice = SNA but were assigned Subs). Our DS did receive his first choice (SNA) but that seemed more like an anomaly this year.

And, yes, USMMA is a great school but doesn’t offer Aerospace Engineering as a major. If he’s set on that, then VMI is probably better a better choice. Also - is your DS looking for an SA experience or a more traditional college experience?

USMMA does have Navy Pilot spots every year but it’s never guaranteed. It’s an exercise in numbers and the needs of the Navy come first. I do agree, however, that the after graduation opportunities for USMMA are pretty sweet. It sounds like your DS has some tough decisions to make, but some really great options! We have one in each option - it came down to what was best for them. I can’t see either one switching places with the other…. They both ended up where they were meant to be …
 
USMMA can be a hard place to graduate from in four years, especially if you're not completely committed to the sea-going life. The year at sea can be hard, but even if you enjoy that part it compresses the academic years pretty ruthlessly. A four year degree minus a year at sea means you are getting trimesters rather than semesters to cover the same amount of material. As a result there are far more setbacks as USMMA. Be sure you talk this over with someone to be certain you can hack the academic pace.
 
DD has a very good friend who graduated from the USMMA. The hearsay have from DD is that USMM service is Faaaar more comfortable than SWO Duty with the USN. I’ve known a couple of USMMA Grads over the years; I hear from them is that USMMA grads are highly sought after in both public and private transportation industries/sectors. Of the three I known, one became a lawyer after completing his service obligation. The other two traveled the world for 5-10 more years…(comfortably)…. before settling down into solid 6 figure jobs based out of Seattle. One engaged in Port of Seattle operations. The other making a regular run up the coast to Alaska.

Boy does USMMA "pencil well" in terms of ROI. This article blows me away: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/colleges-with-the-best-roi
Of the top 25 colleges in terms of ROI there are 5 (yes 5), maritime academies that no one has ever heard of, with reasonable entrance requirements in those top 25 colleges. USMMA comes in at #10 ahead of Penn, Yale, Columbia, Duke, Calif Inst Tech, Etc.. If I had a kid who wanted to be a SWO, I would be leaving USMMA pamphlets all over the house!

I absolutely understand and respect the desire to Fly. Just tossing in a data point address to life-after-service

BTW: has you DS looked at the USCGA? NCAA Div3 I think but a full list of team sports. Coast Guard Aviators fly on mission all the time……and go home for dinner.

Big Congrats to your son.
 
USMMA vs VMI- DS was offered an LOA to USMMA and the National NROTC scholorship to VMI. He is an athlete and can do his sport at both schools. He wants to fly post graduation and study aeronautical or aerospace engineering. USMMA only has a marine engineering program. VMI has aerospace engineering. He has visited both schools and is weighing the pros and cons. It really comes down to which school will give him the best shot at becoming a Naval Officer and flying post graduation. He has also applied to USNA and USAFA but hasn't heard from them yet. Any insight as he makes this decision would be really helpful.
USMMA has a lot of Navy Flight pilot slots from what I hear. USMC aviation is practically guaranteed. If he wants to fly USMMA is probably one of the best places to get a spot.
 
If he wants to go for SNA, getting a high GPA will matter more to the service selection board than majoring in aerospace engineering or not. That’s where the “poli sci and fly” saying comes in. Additionally, an aerospace engineering major is pretty appealing to get drafted by the nuclear community…
 
To piggyback on what @Ivy22 (yes, I know I am part of the problem), a major doesn't have too much impact on service assignment. Both schools offer cool opportunities. Plus, plenty of Kings Pointers running around the flight school enterprise and the Fleet. That said, USMMA revolves around the sea (as it should). It is a tough program and while AD options are available, the program is designed to make USMM officers. So, regardless of career desires, every MIDN goes to sea, and their lives center around that.
 
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