<p>I ordered Don Asher's Cool Colleges book from Amazon a few weeks ago, and fell in love with Deep Springs. I also thought the profile on the Merchant Marine Academy was interesting where kids spend their summers on sea. So, I'll be applying to go to school on a ranch and on the ocean this fall. Do any other out-of-the-box programs come to mind that are life-changing? Do you guys have any suggestions for back-up schools, because I understand admissions to both schools are extremely competitive. So far I have Swarthmore because I like the intellectual atmosphere, University of Chicago, because I like the Great Books program, and RPI, because I received a medal for math and science achievement for $15,000 per year. My parents want me to apply to all of the Ivys, and MIT as well, so that makes a total of 14 schools. Thanks for any help. If you need information about my academics/activities, let me know.</p>
<p>I don’t think the USMMA is for you, primarily because those who are sucessful there are those who truly want to go there, above all others. The text below was written by a grad a few years back, but may be of interest to you (edited for brevity). </p>
<p>The regiment is tough and it’s demands are sometimes ridiculous. Academically you’re looking at, on average, 18 credit hours per trimester. Each trimester is 13 weeks long. Compare that to EVERY other academy who has the semester system. You spend 9 trimesters in residence at Kings Point taking academics. Other colleges, academies included only have 8. Then wrap a year of academics into 360 days at sea with no instructors.</p>
<p>You’ll spend a year at sea, traveling around the world. You’ll be in a very micro environment with different standards and different people. You’ll go to foreign lands and work with some of the smartest and dumbest people ever. Basically, you’ll be in the real world learning your trade which is the safe navigation of a vessel, it’s crew, and the hundreds of millions of dollars of cargo across an entire ocean. I’ve never been an ROTC cruise or academy cruise but I suspect it’s not the same. The level of responsibility between a young 22-year-old 3rd Mate, fresh out of school, standing watch, at night, in the fog, on a 95,000 ton tanker is quite different from that of a fresh Ensign who is a Division Officer on a navy frigate. To say your better trained coming from Kings Point in terms of shiphandling, navigation, seamanship, all things related to the water, when compared to your USNA/ROTC Counterparts is an understatement. You will have the opportunity to intern with a F/A-18 squadron, or spend a month on a Nuclear Carrier.</p>
<p>The academics here are difficult, and somewhat narrow. You’re not going to find a English or History Major, but on graduation day you’ll find 180 new officers who have experience that is under appreciated by them, and incomparable to their ROTC counterparts.</p>
<p>What does this have to do with Plebe Year? You must be ready physically, and mentally. There have been stronger athletes who have cried and failed in the first day. There have been weaker kids who’ve made it where that guy failed, and graduated without ever approaching PT stud status. Knowing your taking on a superior challenge and knowing you’ll leave here with some of the best training available will hopefully give you all something to reach down inside for when you’ve been brought to the edge and your ready to quit. You’ll find new meaning to motivation, spirit, discipline, and pride.</p>
<p>Indoc is no where near the end. In fact it’s the easiest time you’ll have here. Guaranteed. Plebe year will test your endurance, morally, mentally, and physically. Your accountable to someone, if not several people at all times. However your only responsible for yourself. Moving through your senior year you may find yourself looking after 150 different people, their welfare, their training. At the end of the four years you’ll look back and wonder how it could pass so quickly and transpire so lengthily at the same time. You’ll change physically. You’ll be sharpened mentally. You’ll be hardened morally. And you may not realize any of this until you step out of the gate when you see the type of person you’ve been molded into in this 4-year crucible stacked up to your ‘nasty civilian’ counterpart. No, civilians aren’t nasty, but you’ll definitely experience something that very few people have.</p>
<p>Kings Point’s small size produces one of the best, varied, tight-knit, and powerful alumni anywhere. Kings Point graduates have been to every war. They’ve been around the world and across the oceans. They’ve been to space. They’ve run companies and made millions. Anyone read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”? They’ve worked for NATO, the White House, Exxon, you name it. And no one will mean more to you than the guys and girls you came here with and made it through here with. NO ONE makes it through alone.</p>
<p>Most importantly perhaps, Kings Point is not for everyone. Your going to find a broad variety of people here. Army and Air Force have their future 2nd Lieutenants. Navy and Coast Guard have their future Ensigns. Kings Point has 180 young men and women who came here for 180 different reasons and could be employed doing 180 different things.</p>
<p>I’m interested in USMMA because you don’t have to join the military. Do you know of any other schools where “you’ll change physically”, “be sharpened mentally”, and “be hardened morally”? I like Deep Springs because it seems challenging and provides a that “best, varied, tight-knit, and powerful alumni” network. Do any other schools come to mind with a real sense of community? Thanks.</p>
<p>Other than West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy - most military schools (The Citadel, VMI etc.) don’t require you to enter the military. I’m sure all will say something like “you’ll change physically, be sharpened mentally” and “be hardened morally.” </p>
<p>For an interesting view of life at The Citadel…which some people say hasn’t changed that much from the 1970’s…read Pat Conroy’s, MY LOSING SEASON.</p>
<p>I’ll have to look into the Citadel, though I don’t understand why you would go to a military-prep school instead of the real deal…</p>
<p>I don’t understand why you would go to a service academy without the intent to join the military/merchant marines.</p>
<p>Well raimius, I guess I just want a taste of what it would be like to be in the military without having to be commissioned overseas, you know?</p>
<p>Dear run,</p>
<p>You do have a military pay back commitment to go to USMMA…either active duty or reserves…also a commitment to the merchant marine industry.</p>
<p>That sounds awesome.</p>
<p>EvanMWard: I know, right?
kathynp: I kind of figured i have to give back to the merchant marine industry</p>
<p>If you are smart enough for RPI, then you have a variety of options. Use this summer to explore ALL the options - beyond the Ivies, MIT, consider UChicago, Caltech, Rice and Coopers Union. It all depends on what you want to do with your life. USMMA and other service academies have a definite mindset that you must be prepared for going in, as well as the future Federal commitments. The way the economy and the country are going, I would highly recommend going to a university with real science chops, research and alumni support. Please visit as many schools you can ASAP and visit during the school year and talk with students (not just tour leaders). All the above commenters are also true, BTW. Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks weski! excellent advice :)</p>