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School Choices?

Discussion in 'Licensing & Education' started by el_CAPeeTAN06, Mar 15, 2007.

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  1. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    Hi

    I live on the east coast and was wondering what are the best maritime colleges to attend? I don't really want to go to the west coast, but I definately want to be on or near the ocean. I want to major in marine transportation and just want to know the best place to go.

    I have researched Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and they look like a great school but a bit cold up there. I was hoping for a school more down south.

    Any information on this subject would be much appreciated. Thanks.:cool:
  2. sailandfish

    sailandfish Member

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    Only school of that kind in the south is Texas AM maritime at galveston. I did one semester at Maine Maritime Academy, yes it is cold, and it is also the most expensive for out of state students, but I feel that it is by far the nicest and best of the maritime schools.
  3. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    I just checked out Texas AM and it looks great. Thanks for the advice.
  4. CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    What about the maritime college at Kings Point NY? Right on Long Island Sound it offers a full curriculum and their own training ship.
  5. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    I did see that there was one in NY, but I havent done much research on it yet. Do you know anything in particular about it that makes it stand out?
    Thanks
  6. sailandfish

    sailandfish Member

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    You have two in New York, SUNY maritime, a state school and Kings Point USMMA. SUNY is probably the cheapest of all maritime schools and their campus definitely shows it, very underfunded it appeared when I visited. Kings point is a military academy similar to Naval and army, it requires much more work to get in, but when accepted you get free school in exchange for several years active duty or reserve duty. Kings point is in a beautifull part of long island and SUNY is in the bronx. check em out, I did my research and HW, kings point was my first choice but I was medically disqualified right before boot camp. So I chose maine, it was a tough choice between main and texas.
  7. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    I'm not really looking into going in the military, but if I decide otherwise, Kings point sounds like the right choice. As I mentioned before, I'd like to stay in the south, so Texas looks like the ideal school.

    Thanks alot for all the information.
  8. sailandfish

    sailandfish Member

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    keep in mind all of these schools are regiment based, theres no way around it. They all yell at you make you wear uniform and run around as a dweeb for a while. So what I am saying is that they are all pretty militant based schools.
  9. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    As a graduate of Mass Maritime, I would say it is on par with Kings Point and by far the best of the state schools. Yes it is cold, but the positives of the school out weigh that.
    If you are not looking for a Merchant School there a few schools in Florida that offer marine programs. The Chapmans School in Stuart is good and I think Florida Institute of Technology in Jensen Beach has a 2 year associates program.
    Good luck, my advice to you is visit the top schools before making a choice.
  10. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    Thanks for the information ychtcptn; I am planning to go on a trip and visit the colleges in the north within the next year or so, and I think after I do some more research, I am visiting Texas AM this May.

    From what I hear, Mass Maritime is the absolute best of the maritime schools. Being a graduate, what were the things that you enjoyed about it the most? the least?

    Thanks.
  11. sailandfish

    sailandfish Member

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    I am going to go take a look at great lakes maritime next week and ill let you know what I think. I am concidering transferring. this school is pretty much the only one that doesnt have a strict regiment and does all their sea time on commercial vessels. Its a much more hands on approach from what i can tell, and the cost is similar to that of texas just a lot colder which severely affects us southerners.
  12. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    I haven't heard much about great lakes maritime, but any information that you could provide for me would be great. Thanks.
  13. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    The best things about MMA-
    1. the strength of thier programs and academics !!!
    2. in house real time simulators and real life (boats) simulators
    3. they have the best training ship
    4. the location of the campus, it is surround on three sides by water and is very water oriented.
    5. They have some great teachers who are very dedicated.

    The worst-

    1. The regimental life style. In all honesty this was the hardest part of the place for me, but if I can make it through anyone can. Looking back I am glad it was hard. If I had been at a regular college I would never have graduated, they gave me a forced exile so that I could concentrate on my studies.
  14. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    Thanks alot ychtcptn. I just got an email from MMA telling me that there is an open house this May that I might attend. I can't wait to check it out. Thanks for all of your help. :D
  15. SharkyFHB

    SharkyFHB Senior Member

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    el CAPeeTAN06

    Did you ever check out Texas Maritime? I am a graduate and have been teaching there part time for 6 years. If I can assist with any further info, let me know. I went through the Business program, but have friends that went through the MART program. It is a great school and I can put you in direct contact with the head of the Marine Transportation Dept.
  16. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    I haven't visited yet, but I am planning a trip to go during fall break when the students are there. I've read everything on Texas A&M Maritime website, but it would be great to get an opinion from someone who actually works there. I haven't decided on whether I want to major in Marine Transportation or Business.

    Any suggestions and information would be great.

    Thanks
  17. Natalie

    Natalie New Member

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    The area is superb for learning experience, and the school has a great reputation. There's a website if you care to research. My friend's daughter was just accepted -- it was her first choice. Best of luck to you.
  18. SharkyFHB

    SharkyFHB Senior Member

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    Let me know when you get ready to visit and I will get you in front of the MARA (business degree) and MART (marine transportation) department heads. I graduated in '89 with the MARA degree and teach under that department. My full time job is in international logistics.
    Both are great programs. One obviously graduates you with a 3rd Mates license prepared to sail on merchant vessels and the other is a business degree that prepares you for shore jobs with logistics firms, shipowners, trading companies, ship brokerage firms, marine insurance firms, etc..

    I have hired several of my students since I started teaching there 6 years ago and really think highly of the program. I have done well with the degree. Stay in touch.