A United States Merchant Marine Academy education is one of the great adventures of a lifetime. For half a century young individuals like you have come to Kings Point to acquire the knowledge, experience, discipline, and skills that strong leadership demands.

Graduates of the Academy serve their country by pursuing highly successful 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.

While getting here may not be easy, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your lifetime. Whether you're learning about us for the first time, deciding whether to attend, looking for additional information, or mentally preparing yourself for the challenges and rewards of a Kings Point education, we've done our best to bring together the information you need for the journey. Welcome, and good luck.

The application deadline is March 1 (February 1 for international students)

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Academy Facts

Each year, the Academy selects some 275 young men and women for entry into the plebe class. They come from every state of the Union, as well as from backgrounds reflecting every facet of American life. The Academy encourages diversity and recognizes the value of a Regiment of Midshipmen which represents all races, colors, creeds and ethnic backgrounds found in this nation. Students from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply for admission.

Certain general eligibility requirements for admission to the Academy do exist. Candidates must be of good moral character. They must be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed their 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance. They must be citizens of the United States either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international midshipmen specially authorized by Congress. Candidates must also meet the physical, security and character requirements necessary for appointment as U.S. Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve midshipmen. Candidates must obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy; submit a completed application; and qualify scholastically. The Admissions Office evaluates each candidate's high school record and class rank, SAT or ACT standardized scores, recommendations from school officials, history of extracurricular activities, ability to pass a Physical Aptitude Examination (PAE), and other evidence of character, leadership and potential for academic achievement. Admission to the Academy is based on all the above factors.

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How to Apply

There are two distinct processes which must be completed when applying to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. First, you must request a nomination (go to the NOMINATION section of this website to obtain more information). Second, you must also do one of the following: either (a) Request an application from the Academy; or (b) Apply On-Line. Students may begin applying to the Academy on 15 April of your Junior Year of High School. The application deadline is 1 March of the year you wish to enter the Academy. The earlier you start the application, the sooner all related processes can begin (scheduling for your DoDMERB physical, for example). The later you apply, the greater the chance that you will not complete all processes by our established deadlines. If you are able, we strongly encourage you to Apply On-Line.

To be complete, your Application Package must contain all of the following:

1. USMMA Admissions Application:
   - Part I, completed by you, either on-line or manually
   - Part II, completed by you, including your Biographical Essay
   - Part III, completed by your High School, which also must include:
   ----A - Official High School Transcript(s)
   ----B - Official SAT and/or ACT standardized test scores
   ----C - Three (3) Letter(s) of Recommendation

2. College Transcript(s), if applicable

3. Completed DoDMERB Medical Exam

4. Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)

5. Nominations from a proper nominating authority (either a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator from your State of Residence/Domicile)

Candidates for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must be at least 17 years of age, and not have passed their 25th birthday, before 1 July of the year of admission.
 

Applications
You should request an application and complete it prior to the March 1 application deadline. You are strongly encouraged to complete this application early and prior to receiving a nomination from your nominating authority. Candidates not doing so will be mailed an application once their official nomination is received by the Admissions Office.However, early filing of an application will expedite processing of your admission file.

Candidate Reply Date
The Academy ascribes to the universal candidate reply date of May 1. All principal, conditional and alternate appointees are required to notify the Academy either of accepting or declining their status by that date.

Apply On-Line
U.S. candidates for admission to the Academy may apply on-line.

Privacy Act Statement

In accordance with 5 USC 552a(e)(3), the following information is provided to you when supplying personal information to the Maritime Administration.

1. Authority which authorized the solicitation of the information : 46 USC 1295b and 1295g.

2. Principal purpose(s) for which information is intended to be used: The information is used to evaluate each applicant for an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

3. The routine uses which may be made of the information: As background information on applicants for the selection process. To contact the applicant. The social security number is a basic identifier.

4. Whether or not disclosure of such information is mandatory or voluntary (required by law or optional) and the effects on the individual, if any, of not providing all or any part of the requested information: Disclosure of the information is voluntary, but the applicant will not be considered further if all information is not provided.

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   Nomination

   Candidates must be nominated to the Academy by a U.S. Representative or Senator. Candidates may only be nominated by qualified authorities from their state or territory.

   Nominating authorities select their nominees by any methods they wish, including a screening interview. This screening may be administered as early as July of the year before appointment is sought. Nominees must reside in the state or territory that the nominating official represents, or have a “home of residence” in a particular state, or territory represented by the nominating official.

   A candidate should apply for a nomination early. Some nominating authorities establish deadline dates for the receipt of nomination requests in order to allow adequate time for processing and evaluating requests. The ideal time for a candidate to apply for a nomination is in May of junior year in high school.

   Nominating authorities may submit the names of their nominees to the Academy any time between August 1 and January 31 of the school year preceding that in which admission to the Academy is sought.

   You may request a nomination as a candidate for admission to the Academy by writing a letter in the form shown on the next page and addressing it to an appropriate nominating authority. Be sure your full name is typed or printed legibly. A typewritten letter is preferred. (Example Letter - PDF 500KB)

   N.B. There are no Presidential, Vice-Presidential, military-affiliated, JROTC-honor unit, ROTC or Unit Commander, or Medal of Honor nominations permitted to the Academy. Those nominations, along with others, are only permitted to the 3 Department of Defense Academies (West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force). This is in accordance with federal law (the Code of Federal Regulations).

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   Physical Aptitude Exam (PAE)
   Print All  PAE Pages

   All candidates must satisfactorily complete the Physical Aptitude Examination (PAE), as it is a requirement for appointment.  Your scores will be used in the selection process for admissions to the Academy.  The examination tests coordination, physical strength, speed, agility, and endurance.  The Physical Aptitude Examination is separate from the candidate's Medical Examination, which is conducted by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB). The PAE will serve as a guideline to the Academy Training Staff to maximize your physical training potential.

   The Instructions and Score Sheet should be taken to a physical education instructor at your high school (or for military personnel, a commissioned officer). He or she should administer the PAE in the manner detailed, and return to the Score Sheet to the Academy.  It is your responsibility to arrange for this exam, and to ensure that the results are forwarded to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Admissions Office. Our mailing address is:

                                            U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
                                           Admissions Office- Attn: PAE Scores
                                           300 Steamboat Road
                                           Kings Point, NY 11024-1699

   Fill in your name and other personal data on the Score Sheet prior to giving it to the examining official.  You must complete the five tests of this examination (Push-Ups, Standing Long Jump, Kneeling Basketball Throw, 300-Yard Shuttle Run and Pull-Ups for Men and Flexed Arm Hang for Women) and achieve the minimum score for each event to be considered for an appointment.  The minimum scores are indicated on the PAE Instruction Sheet.  We encourage you to do your best on each test required. 

   If you have already completed the CFT for West Point, Naval, Air Force or Coast Guard Academies, a photocopy of the completed, signed, score sheet will be acceptable, provided that the scores meet (or exceed) the minimums for entry to the Merchant Marine Academy.  (Note: If you use another Academy's score sheet, you will still have to submit scores for the five events required for the USMMA PAE)

   Failure to meet the minimum required scores for any portion of the PAE will result in the candidate being eliminated from further admission consideration.

   Results should be received by April 1 of the admission year, as any delay will have an impact on your opportunity for full appointment to Kings Point.  If you are unable to perform the PAE, you must call the Admissions Office and ask your Regional Recruitment Officer.

   To obtain the instructions for completing the PAE for the Merchant Marine Academy, as well as the score sheet for reporting your event scores download the following PDF Documents.

   • Instructions

   • Score Sheet

   • To The Examiner

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   Scholastic Requirements

   Candidates should pursue studies in high school that will prepare them for the Academy's rigorous program. The quality of work is important. The majority of the Class of 2006 ranked in the top 20 percent of their high school classes.

   To be appointed to the Academy, candidates must have satisfactorily completed their high school education at an accredited secondary school or its equivalent. They must have earned at least 16 units of credit. Four of these credit units must be in English; three units in mathematics (from algebra, geometry and trigonometry); and one unit in physics or chemistry with a laboratory. These requirements are minimal. The Academy strongly recommends that candidates take four years of mathematics and both physics and chemistry. Courses in mechanical drawing and machine shop are also desirable. Successful completion of pre-calculus or calculus satisfies the trigonometry requirement.

   By March 1 of the year in which they are seeking admission, candidates must submit evidence with their official application showing the completion of all academic requirements. All required courses must be completed by June 15 or by the date of graduation from high school. Time extensions will not be granted.

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   All of this Info is Mind-Boggling.  Help!

   You don't need to wade through it all on your own! 
   We're here to help.

   A good first step is to contact your local USMMA Parent's Association.  You will be able to talk with people who can answer many of your questions, and if we don't have the answer, we can put you in contact with others who do.  Click here to get to a list of parent associations across the U.S...

   ...and CONTACT US!

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   Steps to 4th Class

    

   To Get Here:	You Must Do This:
   Candidate	The prospective students must show themselves to be among America's best and brightest and receive a nomination from their congressman and then be accepted by the USMMA Admissions Department.
   Plebe Candidate	To earn the right to become plebe candidates, the candidates must show that they can adapt to the regimental system and discipline themselves to make it at Kings Point.  They must make it through the indoctrination period.
   Plebe	Having earned the right to become plebe candidates by surviving the regimental rigors of Indoctrination, the students must now prove themselves capable to adapt not only to regimental life but a heavy academic load as well.  It becomes crucial to learn time management skills.  This lasts until Acceptance Day (Parents Weekend) in mid to late September when the Freshman class is accepted as Plebes into the Regiment
   4th Classman	To become 4th Classmen, the class as a whole must prove to the first classmen that they are united as a class in Spirit, Knowledge, and Pride in the school.  This is usually accomplished not only through the daily duties but also by accomplishing a list of "Steps to Recognition" set by the Regimental Training Officer.  When the First Class believes the class as a whole is ready, they are accepted into  the Regiment of Midshipmen by the upperclassmen and "recognized" as fourth classmen.