# Getting into Maritime Academy **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [February 28, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401 "2020-02-28T02:13:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![JackStraw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jackstraw/32/8159_2.png) [@JackStraw](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/JackStraw)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/107 "2020-03-02T20:24:26Z")
@Arya1222 Get to work and grind your SAT higher. Spend money on prep if you have to. You’re a good candidate for KP. The process is a major PITA but just do it. You’ve already been accepted to every state maritime academy, they’re just waiting for your paperwork. There’s money waiting for you too. ---
**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/108 "2020-03-02T20:36:22Z")
You are correct. The Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. A nomination does also NOT guarantee an appointment. I was actually nominated to three federal academies, but not accepted by all of them. KP was the best fit for me, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/109 "2020-03-02T20:37:23Z")
> [@portofdc](#): > > Are you sure? Generally, marine engineering is used to describe a fully accredited 4 year engineering degree. I’ve always seen “technology” used for less rigorous non-accredited programs - often only 2-years of study It could be. In my day we had the choice of Marine Engineering and Marine Engineering Systems. Systems was the more rigorous of the two. ---
**Author:** ![DamnYankee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/damnyankee/32/514_2.png) [@DamnYankee](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DamnYankee)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/110 "2020-03-03T00:50:00Z")
> [@Arya1222](#): > > And my new class rank is 25/590 I agree with @JackStraw go for KP. If not, look into the ‘Admirals Scholarship’ at SUNY. With stats like that you have a good chance ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/111 "2020-03-03T01:02:21Z")
Very impressive class rank. I assume you forgot to mention that you are national honor society. Pay a few hundred dollars for Princeton Review, or whatever the best SAT improvement boot camp is, learn the tricks and practice the solutions to problems, boost your score by at least 100 points. Make sure you take a full year of Advanced Placement Calculus and Physics. Apply to KP. You might want to consider applying to the Webb School of Naval Architecture. It’s tuition free. ---
**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/112 "2020-03-03T12:09:27Z")
> [@tugsailor](#): > > You might want to consider applying to the Webb School of Naval Architecture. It’s tuition free. Webb is an EXCELLENT school, and yeah, is tuition free to US citizens. Other costs, though run about $20K a year. It is probably more competitive than most schools, though, and there isn’t any license program. There are also some extra costs for KP, but they are a lot less. Less that two grand, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![rustbucket](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/rustbucket/32/16902_2.png) [@rustbucket](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rustbucket)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/113 "2020-03-03T16:12:04Z")
“there isn’t any license program.” If you look at the fourth option on the thirds checklist you can still obtain a license through this program. "Graduate of an ABET accredited school in marine engineering course WITH 1. 90 days of service in the engine room of steam, motor, or gas turbine vessels OR" Looks like Webb is accredited as an “engineering program”.Most of the maritime academies are accredited as “engineering technology programs.” Having seen both types of programs I would recommend steering well clear of any Engineering Technology Program as they are less rigorous and less respected than Engineering programs. Plus some states will not accept Engineering Technology degrees if you ever decide to pursue a professional engineer’s license. ---
**Author:** ![SeaEagle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/seaeagle/32/17788_2.png) [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/114 "2020-03-03T17:49:35Z")
Don’t know much about Webb but I will stick to what I have knowledge about. Nobody at KP graduates without either a 3rd AE, or 3rd Mate license with a Bachelor of Science degree of some type. It will take 4 years. 3 years of classroom work and 1 year at sea split in half between Sophomore and half the Junior year. The heavy class load is due to compiling 4 yrs of classroom credits into 3 years using Trimesters instead of regular 2 semesters per year as most colleges do, so as to get the sea time to test for their license and gain some experience. They are still fairly green upon graduation, but have a more than basic idea what they are getting into. It ain’t easy, none of the academy’s are easy. As a State School grad and prior poster said “Hated to be there, but glad I’m from there”. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/115 "2020-03-04T00:17:33Z")
> [@Arya1222](#): > > I am on the football team and I have a job working at CVS during the off-season. It’s not impressive in terms of extra curriculars. I would hope that holding down a job while doing well in school would count as much as school sponsored extra curriculars. Especially if you have a letter of recommendation from your manager at CVS and can prove how much you worked (20 hours a week would be impressive, 2 hours a week not so much). ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/116 "2020-03-04T00:19:18Z")
> [@rustbucket](#): > > If you look at the fourth option on the thirds checklist you can still obtain a license through this program. Yes but that’s just a 3rd AE, without the STCW component you’re limited to working as either a wiper, tug boat engineer, or great lakes engineer. ---
**Author:** ![SeaEagle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/seaeagle/32/17788_2.png) [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/117 "2020-03-04T01:31:22Z")
Unlicensed engineer would be a stretch. Job market is rather tight. Get the license if possible. ---
**Author:** ![rustbucket](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/rustbucket/32/16902_2.png) [@rustbucket](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rustbucket)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/118 "2020-03-04T04:56:14Z")
these courses are offered all over the country and typically run: basic stcw is a 4 day $1000 course lifeboatman 5 day $1000 course plus some sea time advanced firefighting 4 day and again a grand These are not much of a barrier and would not make or break the decision to go with one school or another. If he wanted to he could get the basic stcw, advanced firefighting and a wiper now. Then ship out with SIU or IBU this summer to find out if the industry is for him. Although it may be difficult to find a hitch for only a month or two. ---
**Author:** ![Arya1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Arya1222](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Arya1222)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 5:09am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/119 "2020-03-04T05:09:28Z")
@rustbucket, I was under the impression that you need to be 18 to get an MMC and I don’t turn 18 till December. ---
**Author:** ![rustbucket](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/rustbucket/32/16902_2.png) [@rustbucket](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rustbucket)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/120 "2020-03-04T05:11:14Z")
from the check list “No Minimum Age – Under 18 requires notarized statement of parental/guardian consent” > **[mcp\_fm\_nmc5\_56\_web.pdf](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_56_web.pdf)** > > 130.94 KB ---
**Author:** ![Arya1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Arya1222](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Arya1222)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/122 "2020-03-04T05:16:59Z")
@rustbucket So if I get these documents, could I sail this summer? And how would I get these documents apart from the mmc? Do you recommend a specific union? ---
**Author:** ![rustbucket](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/rustbucket/32/16902_2.png) [@rustbucket](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rustbucket)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/123 "2020-03-04T05:44:56Z")
The basic STCW and advanced firefighting only requires a class. If you search google for “basic STCW course” you’ll find a plethora of institutions offering them. It may help to familiarize yourself with the USCG checklists and make a 5 year career plan. It may take a month or longer for the USCG to process your paper work. You should start the process as soon as possible, you can always add STCW certs the the MMC after you get it. I’d recommend a union that has a hiring hall close to home, as many require you to physically go to the hall to wait for a job. ---
**Author:** ![Arya1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Arya1222](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Arya1222)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/124 "2020-03-04T05:46:54Z")
@rustbucket Than you for the advice Sir, will consider it. ---
**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/125 "2020-03-04T12:42:10Z")
I heard somewhere that KP may go back to the Quarter system, as it was when I attended. Personally, I liked that better, to be honest. One thing that I did find is that straight out of school, and because of Sea Year, a KP mate or engineer had a bit of an advantage on that first ship or two over a state school graduate who didn’t do any cadet shipping. After a few months at sea, however, this advantage was gone. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/127 "2020-03-04T13:10:59Z")
> [@rustbucket](#): > > these courses are offered all over the country and typically run I wasn’t talking about Basic Training but the STCW officer endorsement (OICEW). Just getting the US license by having an accredited degree and 3 months in the engine room doesn’t get you STCW and without that the license is no good. ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401/128 "2020-03-04T13:19:57Z")
I’m guessing rustbucket’s response is based on the requirements before 2013. Before then, the only STCW courses needed would have been those he lists and Medical Care Provider (and also the various assessments). Now, [a lot more courses are needed](https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=08348d005687f5f8077ecf62aa9f1bce&mc=true&node=se46.1.11_1329&rgn=div8), and they are generally offered by only a small number of schools. Also, a lot more sea time is needed, the 3 months plus an ABET accredited degree is not an option for STCW OICEW. [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401.md?page=5) [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/getting-into-maritime-academy/54401.md?page=7)