Replies to: U.S Merchant Marine Academy day visit

• #1

  suzannegra Registered User Posts: 1,016 Senior Member

  November 2007

  Wear a nice pair of slacks, and a shirt with a collar. You can ask any questions that you need answered. I'm sure you have a bunch!

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• #2

  zonker Registered User Posts: 463 Member

  November 2007

  The admin & staff arranging visits were remarkably helpful on planning and suggestions. Don't hesitate to ask them.
  
  Dress w/common sense, check weather reports. Raining? Take umbrella.
  
  You may(will?) get a campus tour from an upperclassman... Sometimes more than one group at a time, or 'parts' of a group -- make sure you take whatever opportunity you'd like to look folks in the eyes and ask ANYTHING you're concerned about (just like suzannegra suggested).
  
  They were VERY frank... both admin AND students. Can you have lunch in Delano? I don't know if it's allowed, but maybe you can walk through. You'll get a good view of how things operate.
  
  They are wanting to show you EXACTLY what you'll be signing up for. Everyone wants a good fit.
  
  (That said... It's an AMAZING place).
  My kid left his heart right there, with a pledge to come back and claim it during INDOC if he were given the chance. He was. :)
  
  And if it's a good fit for you as well, I hope you get the same opportunity.

  ---

  Regardless of outcome, it is the smartest thing in the WORLD is to take a visit beforehand. You will never regret it.
  
  Good luck to you.

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• #3

  tmr Registered User Posts: 132 Junior Member

  November 2007

  My S went up last December. Although most of the mids will be in service khakis there will be numerous people in admissions in uniforms or suits. He wore a suit and made a notable impression and several people in admissions made positive comments about it – he also did not feel uncomfortable when he went to classes. You only get one time to make a “first impression.” The questions that you are asked may not be much different than the ones asked during your nomination interview – be forthright and answer with conviction. Good luck.

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• #4

  lgg2010dad Registered User Posts: 4 New Member

  November 2007

  All the advice here is excellent, but the best recommendation is to be yourself and talk to as many different people as you can to see what you are really getting into. Our little story is a little different than most. My son had a soccer tournament the night before our visit. As soon as the clock hit 0:00 his coach let him leave. He took a shower; we had packed and gassed the car earlier. I had plenty of No-Doze and we drove 730 miles, we stopped at a gas station in Great Neck so he could change into a fresh polo shirt and slacks. He brushed his teeth and combed his hair. At the Academy he had a nice casual interview and tour. When we went there he really was not sure how interested he was. He was also scheduled for an overnight visit at the Coast Guard the next day. In fact our visit to the USMMA was more of – we might as well take a look here since it is on the way. Before he left the USMMA he was asked what he thought of the Academy his words were “I think a lot more of it after this visit”. The next day and a half at the Coast Guard convinced him Kings Point was the best place. The education is very similar, but the opportunities are different. Several of the young men there actually said they wished they had gone to the USMMA. All are great opportunities for the right person. Investigate be adventurous and if for some reason you do not make it – try to find out why and consider trying again. I wish you the best of luck and wish I was your age with your future.

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• #5

  kathynp Registered User Posts: 229 Junior Member

  November 2007

  My DS really wanted to play football in college. He was enamoured with Navy from the time he was 10 years old. He's an excellent student, but being from Maryland, getting into Navy was, at best, a long shot. Long story short, he got the nomination for both USMMA and Navy. He applied to both. He was being courted by KP for football. He (my son) drove to Annapolis and actually talked to Paul Johnson, head coach of Navy. He was told that he would NOT be recruited by Navy for football. We finally visited KP in April. It snowed. We had a really good interview with the head coach and a lengthy, in depth tour with an assistant coach. We ate lunch and on the way home he said, "Mom, even if I get into Navy, I think I want to come here and play football." When he didn't get into Navy, I think he was relieved. He's never looked back. It's the most amazing school...it's more than a school, it's a way of life. Some of it you won't understand in the beginning, but the more you get into it...the more you wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
  
  My advice: Be yourself...you sound pretty great to me...

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• #6

  RENOMom2011 Registered User Posts: 46 Junior Member

  November 2007

  Yes, all the advice here is excellent. Here's our story. I took our son back for a day visit. He wore Dockers, dress shirt, tie & sweater with dress shoes. (I won't tell you what the others showed up in... but I will say this... I thought he might be too casual but ended up being the best dressed) We attended a powerpoint presentation on KP that was very well done. After the presentation we were all milling around & that's when the interview took place. It was very low key. We were suprised at what they asked but are sure they were the questions they wanted answers to. The questions really had nothing to do with why he wanted to attend USMMA but what he had a passion for. Even though I was in attendance our son had to answer. It was his interview. (I never stepped in) We had a short tour of the campus & then he was placed with a midshipmen that he went to lunch with at Delano & shadowed him the rest of the afternoon. I met back up with my son at 4PM & then we did a breif tour of lodgings & met with, forgive me, but I don't know all the correct terms/positions yet... the adult in charge of a company. He was very strict, up front & kind. You could just see the passion he had for the academy. We then went on our way. Our son was impressed with the academy & was hoping that the academy found him worthwhile. Our son wants a specific engineering degree that few schools offer. USMMA was one that did offer his degree. He applied to other academys & most unfortunat his scores were just under what they even considered accepting. No big deal because he is totally happy where he is & got involed with off shore sailing & is having a ball. But it is hard. Now I will define hard to you according to my son... "Yeah... you gotta do all this stuff but that's college. It's what I choose & it's cool!" It is hard there, I don't want to make lite of that but it's what you have to do. He was excepted to all the colleges that offered his major & choose KP. He knew what he was getting into & doesn't regret his decision.
  
  Have confidence in yourself. You would not of ever thought of applying here if you didn't think you could do it.
  
  You can. You are special & on a mission. Just be you. It is you that they want.
  
  Good luck & I will hold you in my prayers.

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