<p>I have a LOA to the USMMA and a nomination from my senator and the only thing holding me back from this school is the fact that every major offered has the word Marine in it and I am simply not sure that I am interestend in maritime trade nor want a degree specificaly associated with the maritime industry. My question is just how focused on maritime concepts is this academy and would it be hard to go into a more generalized field after military service if I so choose that path. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>This school's entire focus is on the maritime industry. There are only two fields of study, marine operations and marine engineering, with three majors within each field. Although you can use this school as a springboard for obtaining a commission as a military officer, there are other ways of achieving this goal. If you really aren't interested in life at sea I would advise you to think long and hard before accepting an appointment to KP. Using this place as a "means to an end" can be a recipe for misery. Four years is a long time to spend learning something you have no interest in.</p>
<p>mcw841, lots of college applicants and lots of KP midshipman are not quite sure what they want to do. Some KP midshipmen do not totally make up their minds until their last semester, although you would have to commit to operations or engineering early in plebe year.
One thing that would help you decide whether KP is for you would be a campus visit. My son had an overnight about this time of the year, having both a nomination and LOA. He saw close up what USMMA was like. Plus both plebes and upper classmen shared their thoughts.
The visit helped him make up his mind. Plus he was highly motivated to give his best efforts when he showed up for induction.</p>
<p>There are several positive aspects to KP.<br>
1. The payback of time is more flexible than the other academies.
2. It's alot smaller than the other academies.
3. It's 20 miles outside of NYC.
4. We, the parents, feel like it's an extended family.
5. Everyone helps each other and there is alot of academic help for the students.</p>
<p>However, if a federal academy is not your bag (I can't imagine you would have gone through all the paperwork for a nomination?) then don't go. If this is what you want, it's a great choice.</p>
<p>uhm...it's Marine Transportation (not operations) and Marine Engineering. </p>
<p>MCW: Let me help you. What do you want in life? If you don't like marine related things now, don't bother with KP. If you are unsure and you do go for a taste...don't pick engineering if really want to make over 100k in like. It's so funny how many engineers will telly ou how successful they are whne they really aren't. The muck up waste (po-po) tanks and get paid crap. You go to sea and get stuck down below where you hardly get to see the light of day. </p>
<p>1st recommendation, don't go.
2nd, if you do go, don't pick engineering.</p>
<p>You can thank me four years from now.</p>
<p>Hhhhmmm... let me guess disgruntled you chose engineering.</p>
<p>no. But many of my friends did because the upper class convinced them too and really regret it four years later because they are so specialized for marine engineering that they can't go anywhere else and there is no money to be made.</p>
<p>Oh boy, here we go again.</p>
<p>quote Oldairforce "Oh boy, here we go again."</p>
<p>The debate on deckie or engineer?</p>
<p>Neither, attitude.</p>
<p>If that were true how do you explain that my father makes 250k a year as an engineer?</p>
<p>Not deck or engineer, your attitude son.</p>
<p>My attitude is what it is. Ask people about the 2004 yearbook, the only thing we leave with as a tangible memory and how screwed up it was. You should see the 2006 yearbook, it's pathetic, especially when we all paid for yearbook fees. I don't know, maybe it's cause i took out loans to pay for all this and nothing in my life was ever handed to me so I can see it for what it is. </p>
<p>seakid, is your father a marine engineer from the acadedmy? maybe he's an expection to the case. I'm glad you don't have to worry about money in your life.</p>
<p>No exception my uncle graduated from there and makes about 150k</p>
<p>ok, so you uncle now...was he an engineer too? Dude, 150k is nothing, I should make that this year.</p>
<p>I'm only going to post a few more times and leave this site for good. I am being serious about the academy. Yes, i made great friends. Yes, i learned alot. Yes, i am successful in life thus far. Yes, i could have done all this eslewhere without all the headaches involved. Trust me, graduation day is such a great day because you get get to leave and don't ever have to go back.</p>
<p>Well I am glad to see you do not have to worry about money in your life...... but it is obvious that there are conflicting views about the school here one yours a diffident one while I am more optimistic and not such a pessimist. Truth is in the eye of the beholder so sorry you had such a horrible time but most I have spoken to would disagree with you.</p>
<p>"Dude, 150k is nothing, I should make that this year."</p>
<p>Your statement makes you sound like a spoiled little brat. I know many people who don't make that kind of money and struggle to raise a family with strong values, like the value of a dollar. You have not learned this in your short life and it might be part of the reason why you are so disgruntled. What is your life's purpose?</p>
<p>maj...did you not read where i had to get loans to go to kp? that compuet broke at sea, kp would not rplc it so i had to get another loan on a dell computer. My first bit of credit that cost me 24.7% I know what a dollar is.</p>
<p>Seakid, you can go, that's your choice and of course everyone you met their will tell you its great cause they need people. The people tehy put you up with are not randomly assigned, they are doing a job. </p>
<p>You'll here this many times "Kp is bad place to go but a good place to be from." in this..you have to make it through and a guarentee you will see how unfair it is...from midshipman to midshipman.</p>
<p>Seems to be some very serious baggage in disgruntled's seabag.
I suspect, motion sickness, fear of foriegn ports, no knowledge of how much $150,000/year is, possible drop-out, fraud idenity or some other mental ailment. </p>
<p>I have all your posts. Your points and arguments indicate that you have some other agenda.</p>
<p>Take all this one posts with extreme scrutiny and a bit of pity.</p>