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Summary
United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public institution that was founded in 1943. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,011, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 82 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. United States Merchant Marine Academy's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Colleges (North), 3. Its in-state tuition and fees are $1,500 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $1,500 (2012-13).
The United States Merchant Marine Academy, also called USMMA or Kings Point, is located in Kings Point, N.Y., about 20 miles east of New York City. It is one of the five U.S. service academies. Incoming students, known as plebes, undergo a two-week indoctrination program known as "Indoc," which serves to prepare them for the Academy lifestyle. Upon entering the academy after "Indoc," midshipmen can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations including the Trident Scuba Diving Club, Glee Club, Regimental Band, and Hear This, the student newspaper. USMMA fields a number of men’s and women’s NCAA Division III athletic teams, and all students are expected to participate either in varsity, club, or intramural sports.
The Merchant Marine Academy offers academic programs through six departments: marine engineering, humanities, marine transportation, mathematics and science, naval science, and physical education and athletics. USMMA’s Sea Year program places students on a U.S. flag-bearing merchant ship for parts of their sophomore and junior years, giving them the experience of potential careers after graduation and enabling them to visit on average 18 foreign countries. USMMA is home to the American Merchant Marine Museum, which exhibits marine art, ship models, and nautical artifacts. The Kings Pointer, a 224-foot vessel, goes on regular training trips throughout the year.
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A United States Merchant Marine Academy education is one of the great adventures of a lifetime. For sixty-five years, young men and women have come to Kings Point to acquire the knowledge, experience, discipline, and skills that strong leadership demands. As one of the five federal academies, the route to Kings Point is challenging, and will not be easy. However, it will be a rewarding challenge, and will ensure a lifetime of personal and professional satisfaction. Graduates of the Academy serve their country by pursuing careers in the maritime industry and the armed services. Many continue their studies in graduate or professional schools. Many become outstanding government and business leaders. The direction you take after you graduate will be up to you. However, two things are certain: You'll have choices and you'll be prepared to make the most of them. A glimpse at a map of the world confirms that the United States is a maritime nation. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean; to the west, the Pacific; off our southern border, the Gulf of Mexico; in the north, the Great Lakes; and crisscrossing our states, great rivers like the Mississippi and other inland waterways. Every hour of every day, ships of all types ply the waters in and around our nation. They leave our ports laden with U.S. goods bound for foreign markets, or arrive in our harbors with merchandise and materials for American consumers. Tankers along the west coast with raw petroleum for our refineries; massive gas carriers bound for terminals along the Gulf coast; Great Lakes vessels load iron ore, coal or other minerals for America's industry; huge containerships discharge in Eastern ports, their box-like containers filled with manufactured goods; general cargo ships in the Gulf unload pallets of coffee and crates of fruit; tugboats and towboats push and pull barges loaded with Midwest grain. These kinds of vessels, owned by U.S. companies, registered and operated under the American flag, comprise the U.S. merchant marine. This fleet of highly productive ships is a major part of our system of commerce, helping guarantee our access to foreign markets for sale of our manufactured goods. In time of war or national emergency, the U.S. merchant marine becomes vital to national security as a "fourth arm of defense." Our merchant ships bear the brunt of delivering military supplies overseas to our forces and allies. The stark lessons of twentieth century conflict prove that a strong merchant marine is an essential part of American seapower. The nation's economic and security needs met by the U.S. merchant marine are compelling. Today, the United States imports approximately 85 percent of some 77 strategic commodities critical to America's industry and defense. Although we, as a nation, account for only six percent of the world population, we purchase nearly a third of the world's output of raw materials. 99 percent of these materials are transported by merchant vessels. A ship at sea does not operate in a vacuum. It depends on a framework of shoreside activities for its operations. This industry includes companies which own and manage the vessels; ports and terminals where cargo is handled; yards for ship repair; services like marine insurance underwriters, ship chartering firms, admiralty lawyers, engineering and research companies; and increasingly today, intermodal systems of trucks and railroads to distribute goods around the country. But the most important element in a productive merchant fleet and a strong transportation industry is people - men and women who are intelligent, dedicated, well-educated and competent. The purpose of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is to ensure that such people are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1943 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | trimester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $0 |
Applying
When applying to United States Merchant Marine Academy, it's important to note the application deadline is March 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 1. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 19.9 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 19.9% |
| Application deadline | March 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | March 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at United States Merchant Marine Academy is 12:1, and the school has 68.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at United States Merchant Marine Academy include: Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer; Systems Engineering; and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84.8 percent.
Student Life
United States Merchant Marine Academy has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,011, with a gender distribution of 87.1 percent male students and 12.9 percent female students. United States Merchant Marine Academy is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 1,034 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
United States Merchant Marine Academy offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. United States Merchant Marine Academy also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at United States Merchant Marine Academy, 20 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at United States Merchant Marine Academy.
| Students who have cars on campus | 20% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | Yes |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
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| In-state tuition and fees | $1,500 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $1,500 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | N/A |
| Financial aid statistics | N/A |
* Overview details based on 2011 data
