United States Merchant Marine Academy Top Questions

What should every freshman at United States Merchant Marine Academy know before they start?

Jessica

To make the most of your college experience, I reccomend having DIRECTION. Have a motivating purpose. Decide what you seek to accomplish, and find the college that will support your goals and become the best platform for success, both in academics and in life. It is so very easy to get carried away in the social activities and such that most colleges offer. However, if you have set out the direction you wish to follow in life, you will be able to navigate the tumultuous new world you've joined. Remeber that you are begining your professional career, and as such should conduct yourself accordingly by recognizing the importance of what you are learning, and how you are behaving. In choosing the best college for YOU , look past the name and truly investigate the culture and opportunities avalible there. Find a place that is exciting, challenging, comfortable- a place you will enjoy. You are charting the course for the rest of your life, and starting out in the arena you are most comfortable in should insure your success.

Hugh

Be open to new ideas and putting the work in now to be successfull in the future.

Peter

The US Merchant Marine Academy is, in short, the most rewarding and challenging experience in my life. The rigors of the academic and regimental life were incredible, but the friendships, the connections, the professional experience, and the post-grad opportunities are priceless. I know the the friends I've made at the Academy will be my family for life. I know that the Alumni will be my extended family, a network for professional growth and unswerving support. Only with great difficulties come great rewards. You will find both at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Stephen

The years you will spend at the college of your choice are very important years of your life and it should be considered greatly what experience can be expected during that time. However, what I find too commonly overlooked, and is in fact the main reason for attending college, is that college is supposed to be the time in your life that prepares you for what lies after, and considering this in making your choice for college I believe is the most important part of the decision making process.

Hoon

Don't just read about the college in books or on the internet. The best thing you can do is actually tag along one of the students of the college you think about attending and spend the night. Attend the classes, eat in the mess hall, and even go out with the students. Also, consider your major options and if that school has the majors that you are interested in most.

Andrea

Visit the campus before making a final decision on any school.

Steven

find the college that fits your personality and goals the best. If the college doesn't sound like it may have what you are looking for don't even look at it. It helps to have some kind of a plan for your future before applying to college. Pick something that you can see yourself doing for a long time or at least enjoy doing as a career

Christopher

Find the best fit for you and you will do fine. Don't look to have a good time, look for what will put you in the best career and give you the most options once you graduate.

William

My initial thoughts are to go with your heart. I personally love being on the water which is why I chose the United States Merchant Marine Academy, after spending a year at UCF, I chose to transfer to the Academy and start my education all over. It was by far the best decision of my life.

Micah

Find one that is cheap, but also one that your child can both get a good education from and have a good college experience.

casey

what makes you happy, go for it!

robert

ask yourself what you want to do, then do it

Jeff

Don't be afraid to leave home and try something new. Don't look for the biggest party school, look for where you will truely enjoy yourself and put yourself in a good position to get a job. People say to take the major you love, but be practical and look at what kind of jobs there are in those fields.

Peter

Establish what you want in life; whatever that is should be enjoyable (to you), and based on that pick the major that best reaches these ends. Do ample research before making this decision - the real world has no time for people who equivocate on picking their major, and who subsequently end up doing something they are not suited for. College should not be another rubber stamp; at best it should be acatapult into the field that you want to work in, or at worst, be the first of many hops to your ultimate destination. The point is to not waste four years - get the most bang for your buck.

Chris

Don't go to a school because of it's reputation. go to it because you think that it is a good fit for you. also, why pay for 4 years at a big college if you don't know what you want to do with your life. take 2 years of community college classes and get all of the gen-ed classes out of the way. all of those credits should transfer to any 4 year school, and you will save yourself a ton of money by doing this. finally, look into the federal service academies. they are a great option, very prestigious, and a good way to help serve your country.