<p>Hi All-- it seems that this forum is trolled by Midship & their families who are already in. Would you kindly give a little background on why you think you S/D or someone you know was accepted? Are some nominations more substantial then others? I am very new into the research process of Kings Point. Thank you</p>
<p>I can only speak from my experience, but we were lucky enough to go to “Academy Day” which was sponsored by our representative. Everyone was surrounding the other academy tables and my son saw this older gentleman sitting all alone at the KP table and decided to go speak to him. Mr. P. was an alum from the 40’s and he was a wealth of information. My son really enjoyed hearing Mr. P.'s stories. He originally wanted to go to CGA or Annapolis, but after speaking to Mr. P. and investigating the academy further, he decided KP would be his #1 choice. He already had the sports experience, and community service was always required and encouraged at his high school. He also had the grades and AFJROTC. But he had the advantage of knowing early on that he wanted to go to a service academy and therefore was able to plan accordingly. Grades, service, honor societies, sports, music - anything that shows a well-rounded individual - are what you are aiming for. If your rep has an academy day, make sure you go to it. And make friends with the alumni - you’ll never regret it!
Good luck with your research. I think you’ll find this forum very helpful. It got me through my son’s first year! :)</p>
<p>My son found out about KP by also attending an Academy night. We then met Commander DeRosa at a College Fair. He always wanted a Service Academy. He then did an overnight at KP and felt that he could be happy there as well as at USNA or uSCGA. KP gives you many options at graduation. Look into all your options these boards are great as is ServiceAcademyForums. If you have any other questions post them. Get your apps done early and start running!! My son is now part of the Admirals Class 2013</p>
<p>Get your application done as soon as you can including DoDmerb and your CFA. Get the highest possible scores you can on either the SAT or ACT, take the tests multiple times if you have to. Remember that math is very important at KP, so high score on the math portion of those tests is great. Keep your grades up and take the hardest math classes that you can. I don’t think any one nomination is more important than another, you only need one to get an appointment. Good luck to you and if you have any more questions, ask away!</p>
<p>The key is to get your application in early…<a href=“https://info.usmma.edu/applyonline.htm[/url]”>https://info.usmma.edu/applyonline.htm</a> The applications for 2014 are open now, so get started ASAP. The sooner you get it in the better chance you have of getting an appointment. Math, Math and more Math! As stated before, take hard classes senior year, focus on your SAT and ACT scores. Average is around 1200 for math and verbal combined…the higher the better, especially Math.</p>
<p>Once you have filled out the application, you should get put in the system for Dodmerb. Get that taken care of ASAP. I had a young man miss the deadline for medical completion and therefore his appointment was withdrawn 
My son (class of 2011) had his DodMerb physical completed by the end of July before the start of his senior year in high school…never to early to start!!</p>
<p>Contact your state representatives NOW to request a service academy package. Contact your local admissions field representative for KP. Here is a link to the field admissions reps:
[United</a> States Merchant Marine Academy](<a href=“http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/reps/default.htm]United”>http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/reps/default.htm)</p>
<p>If for some reason you cannot contact one in your area, please PM me or email me. I’m an Admissions Rep for Virginia and could at least help answer questions.</p>
<p>After you watch this video you’ll see that KP is the only place to go. Academy Day at Dobbins ARB in Marietta Ga.</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Academy Day 2008 Speaker - Capt Robert Johnson, U.S. Merchant Marines](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YctgXlVY0X4]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YctgXlVY0X4)</p>
<p>great video post. Says it all. If you need help or want more info, feel free to contact me. Get an early start on your application. USMMA has rolling admission and you could possibly find out while others are still applying. We found out early with a LOA pending a nomination. LOA- Letter of Assurance.</p>
<p>I would agree with all the above posts, however, my son did none of that. We attended the academy day for our county in Maryland during junior year and that was the first we learned of the USMMA. He didn’t think he would be interested. As time went by, he was all Naval Academy. In the fall of his senior year, he interviewed with one Senator and our Congressman. (Keep in mind, he still had not applied anywhere, nor did DODMERB.) On the last day to send the applications we were FedEx’ing both applications.) He was being pursued by the football team @ USMMA and had been in contact with one of the assistant coaches. He received his appointment 9 days after applying. (We still hadn’t been to the school or DODMERB!) We went to the school in April and the next week did DODMERB. It took us a while to get through that! Actually, at the Mid-Atlantic Parent’s Association picnic, he still had not been cleared. Then the next Monday he was. So, my point is, it’s better to apply early, but not everyone does.</p>