After weeks of lurking on old posts about the Maritime Academies, I decided to come to the pro’s themselves and lay my questions out here.
I moved from Ireland to MA almost three years ago, the end of my freshman year, and it is now the end of my junior year. I have fallen in love with the regiment structure of Mass Maritime, even though it is out of the norm of Irish colleges.
I want to study Maritime Business, but I’m not sure which colleges are the best for this. I visited MMA and was in love at first glance, but I don’t know if I’ll get in. Info on me :
2 Sport Captain in Winter/Spring Track - Letter all four years. (And for you trackies, a 57.6 in the 400 hurdles)
1640 SAT’s
1 AP course this year, all honors classes, and one next year, also accompanied by honors.
The rough part is my GPA, it’s mixed with Irish grades on an Irish scale, and American grades, so it’s a weird transcript to look at with 11 classes taken in Ireland.
I love MMA, and also looked at USMMA but I don’t qualify to attend as I’m not a citizen yet.
If you gents could give me any info you have, had or thoughts you want to share, then PLEASE do!
[QUOTE=Slick Cam;164074]Well, if and when you become a citizen, perhaps consider USMMA.
You will be admitted to MMA, have no fear. Have a good time and study hard.[/QUOTE]
Hey Slick Cam,
Thanks for the reply! I fully intend on applying to USMMA regardless of when it happens, but I’m not so sure about the instant MMA admission. I’ve heard so much great things about it, and that the school is constantly getting harder and harder to get into.
i could not really follow what you are talking about. Are you a junior high school? Or a junior in college? Do well in whatever school you are in now, and you can go to whichever academy you want to.
[QUOTE=catherder;164080]You might be admitted to MMA, and even graduate, but until you become a US citizen, you will not be eligible for a US license. You can hold an unlicensed rating as an eligible non-US citizen. If you are going the business track you should be fine.[/QUOTE]
He’ll probably be eligible for citizenship before graduation if he’s here for permanent residence. (resident for 3 years, won’t graduate college for 5 years).
As has been mentioned, USMMA is out if you are not currently a US citizen. There are other academies besides MaMA. At least one (SUNY Maritime) has a regimental structure and organization comparable to MaMA. The others have a regiment as well, but they are less intensive.
You are eligible for a rating endorsement if you are a resident legally admitted for permanent residence. You are probably not eligible if you’re here on a student visa. If you’re on a student visa, and ineligible for a US Merchant Mariner Credential, you may not be able to be placed as a cadet on a commercial ship (many of the state academies place cadets on commercial ships for at least a part of their shipboard training, but they may be able to accommodate a cadet ineligible for an MMC) . If you’re accepted at an academy, make sure you bring this to the attention of the school and get assurances it won’t be a problem before making your decision on whether to attend. I’d do this after acceptance, but before making a commitment so as not to prejudice any decision on whether or not to accept you.
[QUOTE=jdcavo;164090]He’ll be eligible for citizenship before graduation. (resident for 3 years, won’t graduate college for 5 years).
As has been mentioned, USMMA is out if you are not currently a US citizen. There are other academies besides MaMA. At least one (SUNY Maritime) has a regimental structure and organization comparable to MaMA. The others have a regiment as well, but they are less intensive.
You are eligible for a rating endorsement if you are a resident legally admitted for permanent residence. You are probably not eligible if you’re here on a student visa. If you’re on a student visa, and ineligible for a US Merchant Mariner Credential, you may not be able to be placed as a cadet on a commercial ship (many of the state academies place cadets on commercial ships for at least a part of their shipboard training, but they may be able to accommodate a cadet ineligible for an MMC) . If you’re accepted at an academy, make sure you bring this to the attention of the school and get assurances it won’t be a problem before making your decision on whether to attend. I’d do this after acceptance, but before making a commitment so as not to prejudice any decision on whether or not to accept you.[/QUOTE]
Isn’t there a non-regiment option at mma? I know there is at Maine. Isn’t that what the business major is?
[QUOTE=tugsailor;164081]i could not really follow what you are talking about. Are you a junior high school? Or a junior in college? Do well in whatever school you are in now, and you can go to whichever academy you want to.[/QUOTE]
Junior in high school, sorry about the confusion. Thought it was explained by AP classes and sport captain
[QUOTE=jdcavo;164090]He’ll be eligible for citizenship before graduation. (resident for 3 years, won’t graduate college for 5 years).
As has been mentioned, USMMA is out if you are not currently a US citizen. There are other academies besides MaMA. At least one (SUNY Maritime) has a regimental structure and organization comparable to MaMA. The others have a regiment as well, but they are less intensive.
You are eligible for a rating endorsement if you are a resident legally admitted for permanent residence. You are probably not eligible if you’re here on a student visa. If you’re on a student visa, and ineligible for a US Merchant Mariner Credential, you may not be able to be placed as a cadet on a commercial ship (many of the state academies place cadets on commercial ships for at least a part of their shipboard training, but they may be able to accommodate a cadet ineligible for an MMC) . If you’re accepted at an academy, make sure you bring this to the attention of the school and get assurances it won’t be a problem before making your decision on whether to attend. I’d do this after acceptance, but before making a commitment so as not to prejudice any decision on whether or not to accept you.[/QUOTE]
Wow thanks for the info! I’m currently here under my fathers company, they moved the whole family over from Ireland three years back, so I’m not on any short term deal.
[QUOTE=catherder;164099]Isn’t there a non-regiment option at mma? I know there is at Maine. Isn’t that what the business major is?[/QUOTE]
As far as I’m aware, all majors are regimented at Mass Maritime. And that’s a real draw for me too, I want to be able to have the same experience as all the other students whether it be engineering or emergency control, regardless of what my future career will be - hence my choice of favoriting MMA.
Mass is gestapo and regiment for everything. A ridiculous concept I think. Maine has a handful of majors where it’s optional. Makes no sense to treat the regimental crap as anything more than a necessary evil. I have never had a good interaction with someone who took that stuff seriously.
Going to a maritime academy is like buying a v-6 mustang or comaro. If you want to do that shit go to a real military academy (citadel, vma, Norwich etc) or go in an ROTC program. If you can’t that means you didn’t try hard Enough in highschool to deserve the weird desire to wear a uniform and march around a college campus.
The whole farce of 20 something’s who haven’t led anything but a lunch line, teaching leadership through bed and uniform checks is a giant destruction from the real purpose of the academy’s. The business of running vessels at sea.
[QUOTE=Traitor Yankee;164113]The whole farce of 20 something’s who haven’t led anything but a lunch line, teaching leadership through bed and uniform checks is a giant destruction from the real purpose of the academy’s. The business of running vessels at sea.[/QUOTE]
I see where you’re coming from, a very valid point really. But I believe, and it might just be me, that one must observe leadership and take instruction before becoming a leader. Freshman and Soph year at MMA may include some annoying uniform and bed checks, but I’ll struggle through and take it because I know if I get it, I’ll come out a better man that has no issue with authority.
[QUOTE=catherder;164099]Isn’t there a non-regiment option at mma? I know there is at Maine. Isn’t that what the business major is?[/QUOTE]
I’m pretty sure the only non regiment license option for undergraduates is the mate 1600 tons program at Maine. The 1600 ton program at SUNY is regiment, and all of the 3 rd Mate and 3 rd AE programs are required by MARAD to have a regiment.
I am stunned by the amount of confusing information being given to this young lad.
Gaking - Your answers are as follows.
If you enjoy the structure and discipline of a regimented school, you will love MMA. EVERYONE at that school is in the regiment.
You should not have any issue being accepted to MMA and your athletic talent will only cinch the deal.
MMA has a well respected Maritime business major. A major not offered by USMMA. SUNY M and Maine M also have a business degree but it would make no sense to consider an out of State, State School.
Kid - relax in the knowledge your future is with MMA. Enjoy the rest of high school, prepare to work your butt off while making the best friends of you life at MMA. Then look forward to a promising career.
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;164157]I am stunned by the amount of confusing information being given to this young lad.
Gaking - Your answers are as follows.
If you enjoy the structure and discipline of a regimented school, you will love MMA. EVERYONE at that school is in the regiment.
You should not have any issue being accepted to MMA and your athletic talent will only cinch the deal.
MMA has a well respected Maritime business major. A major not offered by USMMA. SUNY M and Maine M also have a business degree but it would make no sense to consider an out of State, State School.
Kid - relax in the knowledge your future is with MMA. Enjoy the rest of high school, prepare to work your butt off while making the best friends of you life at MMA. Then look forward to a promising career.[/QUOTE]
Thank you so much! It’s nice to get reassuring info, knowing that you know the ins and outs of the school and trade