Maine Maritime Academy Top Questions

I would tell myself that taking on a lot would ultimately help me and that what I was doing with all the clubs, playing two sports year round, and being a good student is the best thing for me. The only regret I have my senior year was just missing the top ten in my class. I came in 11th...

I have learned how to manage my own life and not to accept second best. The skills i have learned so far have allowed me to branch out on my own and pave my own path in this world. This has given the confidence i need to feel comfortable with starting my own life and making my own mark. The person i am today is a completely different person then the one that first walked through those big intimidating double doors at the campus entrance. I am now more confident in myself and my ability to live on my own and take care of myself. I have matured in leaps and bounds since that first day and every day i'm here i learn a little more and grow a little bigger. College has changed my life and it was the best decision i ever made.

I have received from my college experience many different things. I have received hands-on experience that is unparalleled by any other mechanical engineering program at the undergraduate level. I have traveled the world and have been to 12 more countries since my enrollment at MMA in the fall of 2007. I have been fortunate enough to learn that no matter how much you learn you still know nothing when you arrive at the job the first day. Through the Regiment of Midshipmen I have learned that in order to successfully lead someone you must first know how to follow and that everyone has their own leadership style. In the past three years I have spent on MMA's campus or aboard its training ship I have gained more than just knowledge; I have gained more than any professor can hope to give. I have learned to be an individual and to look at the world as an opportunity to succeed. I know that when I am finished here I will be ready to take on the world and make a great life out of whatever it throws at me. Thank you.

At Maine Maritime Academy, you are just thrown in. Everything is sink or swim. I've learned to just put my shoulder down and push through the challenging, and to see everything as a challenge that needs to be completed. My drive has increased substantially and I feel more motivated to do for myself than to have done for me, which is something I find very important and useful for finding a place in the job market. Maine Maritime Academy sets you up as a serious contender in the job market, because not only do you have the drive, but also the knowledge and the skills that are necessary to have the leg up. In my freshman year in the marine biology program I gained more field experience than most juniors and seniors in other marine biology programs. That is why my experience at Maine Maritime Academy thus far has been very valuable.

Talking to myself as a high school senior I would try to give some peace of mind. When I was a senior I was terrified of the idea of college. I was that kid who never really needed to study but always received top grades. However, for some reason I thought college was going to be EXTREMELY difficult. I would explain to myself that while college is not easy it is not impossibly difficult. The only real difference between high school and college is the amount of studying you have to put in and the fact that college professors are not going to "hold your hand" the way high school teachers do. Given the opportunity I would also tell myself that there are no "hard" classes, but there are classes that take more of your time. Put the time in and you will pass. Lastly, I would encourage the use of a daily planner to organize assignments and daily schedules. A daily schedule makes priotizing your school work and activities easy and allows you to use your time most efficiently.

If you are interested in working in a field that is always traveling and making good money, you may want to consider maine maritime because you will do all of the above.

Patrick, stop for a moment. Slow down and focus. I?m going to be frank with you. You?re not as smart as you think you are, but you?re more intelligent than my memories give credit. Your high school experience is the same to me as you feel about middle school: a walk on the sunny side of the street. First off, this is painful for me to admit, your mother was right? about everything. Listen to her. I understand it?s only too easy to goof off now, sleep during class and doodle in your notebook. Do yourself a huge favor: work an ounce harder. Put in ten minutes of effort here and there, it will go miles. You?re on track to get into your choice school but if you put in a quarter of the work that I put into school you'd be a strait A student. Lastly, college isn?t as big as you think it is. Breath, keep your chin up and eyes forward. Do what needs to be done, do it right and even after the worst of exams? the sun and all its glory will still rise come morning.

Take everything into consideration. If you felt like you did better in smaller classes while in high school, then look for campuses that offer smaller sized classes. Location is important as well, I came here because I enjoy the small-town feel of the area. Castine has been around for a long time and is pretty secluded. It fits me wery well because I enjoy the nature feel and there is plenty of that around. Maine Maritime Academy is an eccelent choice for anyone fond of mechanical things or working with your hands. The proffesors are very hands on in the Labs and there is alot of practical experience to be gained here. A specia thing to note about Maine Maritime is the Regimented lifestyle that accompanies a coast gaurd licensed major. There are a number of Majors that result in various Licences upon graduation and to be elligable to graduate with one of those majors you must have been in the Regiment of Midshipmen which means uniforms, daily musters, a demerit system and an end of the year Training Cruise on the acadamey's Training Ship State of Maine. It's quite en experience here, I love it.

The advice I would give to students and parents about finding the right college and making the most of the experience that college has to offer, is that they should choose a college where they will feel both comfortable and academically driven at for the next four years of their lives. Choosing a college that is right for you requires that you make the effort into finding out what the school is like from those that attend and by checking the college out for yourself. The last thing you would want to do is to go to a college where you can not wait to graduate from (as in being able to leave). You want to pick a place where your going to have fun and meet friends that will last you a lifetime. But you also wantto choose a place where you will learn and develop both as a student and as a person.

Be sure to choose a major that youre really interested in, going undecided or into a major you arent sure that you would like will lead to lots of headaches. Also watch the price of the schools youre applying to, because some are very expensive, especially private schools.

Make sure you go and visit all of the colleges that interest you before making a selection. Yes, there are travel costs to consider, but ensuring you pick the right campus is crucial to the enjoyment and success of your four years there. I am glad that I visited numerous campuses before deciding on my perfect match. Talk to professors, staff, current students and alumni. Having a complete picture of life at the college and beyond is paramount to your future sucess! Good luck!

Take the time to find something you want to do and go to a school that has strong majors in that field. It is not worth spending tens of thousand of dollars a year to go to a school and come out with nothing. Try taking classes at a community college and get the basics done to stay sharp when deciding. Have fun, try new things, and you'll know your at the right school when you enjoy going to class and learning.

Its a good school

The advice that I have for students entering into the college realm is this: List the things down that you wish to accomplish in your lifetime. Whether it be traveling, making money, having a nice house, having a nice family, being on the water etc... After you have this list, start narrowing down what you want your college campus to look like, and what career would fit some of these traits you wrote above. Lastly, once you have narrowed the number of schools that suit to about 5 schools, go visit them and see first hand what it is you like about them. Go with your gut instinct, because choosing your college is one of the most important things you will ever do. Do everything in your power to stay positive, get good grades, make friends, and you will have a succesful life.

Let the student decide what school they want to go too. Dont make the decision for them.

Find a career that you will enjoy, and no matter the hardships just keep your eye on the prize.

visit the schools

The key for picking the right school is visiting it and shadowing a student in classes. You have to see if the fit is there. Also talk to as many alumni as possible.

Make sure to let your child go where they want to go and not where you want them to go.

Absolutely do not rush it at all - no one has to go to college to be successful. Think about it even if it takes a few years so you don't end up in debt after school with no future. Go to a school like Maine Maritime, that is focused on what you need for the job and will let you actually practice and perfect skills instead of your test taking abilities. Graduate with job contacts and a future, and if anything a solid set of tools to help get you anywhere you want to go. Don't spend money on something you will never use just to party for a few years. Don't forget what college is for - a degree should not just be a piece of paper.