I was wondering if any of the service members that visit this board had attended a Maritime Academy (aside from Anapolis and the USCG Academy). I am currently enrolled at a state school and I intend to apply for admission as a transfer student for the Fall 2010 semester with the intention of studying for a degee with license option.

If anyone has attended one of these Academies could you offer some insight? Particularly I would like to know:
1) If anything besides GPA makes a student more competitive.
2) Did you pick one academy over another, and if so why?

Thanks,
MIKE

I'm a Merchant Marine Academy graduate. I came into the CG via the Direct Commission Officer Maritime Academy Graduate program.

You should take a look at the program. Its a great way to come in, except that a high ratio of MARGRADS get locked into Marine Safety. If you want to be a Cutterman or a Response Officer it might be easier to just go to OCS.

I know Kings Point has an internship program where we were able to work at a Coast Guard unit over the summer. I think that would definitely help if you could set something up.

Also I'm not sure how your school sets up your sea time for you license, but at KP we were able to spend up to 30 days on a military vessel. Many went on CG cutters.

Lastly, your school should have a CG Liaison officer. That persons job is to get MARGRADs into the CG. Talk to your Liaison officer and you'll get the help you need.

Thanks for the info, Sir.

MIKE