I've got a keen interest in the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Anybody here knows their acceptance rate and how competitive the admissions are? Would be good to know as I finalize my college list.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is known for having a rigorous admissions process. For one, candidates don't only apply— they need to be nominated by a congressperson, similar to other service academies.
To provide some numbers, their acceptance rate sits at about 15% to 22%, which falls in the highly selective range. This means that for every 100 applicants, about 15 to 22 are admitted.
However, acceptance rate is not the only metric of how competitive a school is. You would also need to take a look at the median student profile of admitted students. For USMMA, students typically present strong academic records with challenging coursework. Most students also have strong SAT or ACT scores, with the average SAT scores hovering between 1250-1390 and ACT scores around 26-31.
In addition to these, the academy also considers leadership experience and physical fitness in the review process. Physical fitness is particularly unique to service academies. Candidates must pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), which includes events like basketball throw, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, 1-mile run, etc.
That being said, this should not discourage you from applying if you have a strong interest in the academy. It’s all a matter of putting your best foot forward, demonstrating your fit with the academy’s programs and values, and showcasing a strong academic performance, leadership qualities, and physical fitness.
I hope this helps with your college decisions, and best of luck with your application!
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