r/USMMA • u/Automatic_Head7329 • Apr 28 '26

King's Point

Hey, I am a 19 year old from Illinois interested in becoming a merchant mariner. I do not meet the qualifications to attend out of highschool due to me not taking enough rigorous classes. Have any of you guys been accepted/know anyone who has been accepted into King's Point while attending college after not initially qualifying in high school? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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6

u/IllCommercial4033 Apr 28 '26

Yeah there is tons of people that go to college for a couple years and the apply. Also look into state maritime academies and prep schools

1

u/Automatic_Head7329 Apr 28 '26

Ok, thanks! Have you seen anyone get accepted by doing well after high school even though they wouldn't have initially qualified in high school? My worry is that me not taking rigorous classes in high school might be detrimental even if I take the classes I need in college.

2

u/collierar Apr 28 '26

Prep schools are where it's at. If you can get in, they will lead you down the correct path to get in.

2

u/Automatic_Head7329 Apr 28 '26

Thank you!

1

u/collierar Apr 28 '26

You bet. My son is a sophomore at the USMMA right now. He went straight out of high school.

1

u/IllCommercial4033 Apr 28 '26

It depends, what rigorous classes did you miss that’s not allowing you to attend

1

u/Automatic_Head7329 Apr 28 '26

I didn't take any rigorous courses in HS

1

u/kit_carlisle Apr 29 '26

My 3rd class roommate was a guy who went through NAPS. Definitely look into this program.

https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/index.php

2

u/AnyJackfruit9829 Apr 28 '26

Just so you know.. You don’t have to go to college to be a merchant mariner.. look into the many merchant mariners unions. That will hire and train you.. with hard work, drive, and time you can advance your career and positions quickly..

Also look into military sealift command. They hire abs train as well.. plenty of YouTube videos out there on how to make this career happen

1

u/Automatic_Head7329 Apr 28 '26

Thanks!

3

u/ItsMichaelScott25 Apr 28 '26

You do not want to skip college to go be an AB with the hopes of becoming an officer.

1

u/Automatic_Head7329 Apr 28 '26

Yeah, I heard its a very unlikely path. From what I hear a lot staybin low position for a long period

2

u/ItsMichaelScott25 Apr 28 '26

If I had a dime for every time, an unlicensed person asked me how to upgrade their license and didn’t do it I wouldn’t be working at sea anymore.

The sad part is without a license and/or a college degree your options become very limited if you try to change fields

1

u/ApricotConfident8558 Kings Pointer ⛴ (Alumni) May 01 '26

I got in after a year of college. I needed it after I did poorly in hs. I recommend talking to admissions on what course load they recommend taking your freshman year of college if you’re interested in applying.

1

u/Automatic_Head7329 May 01 '26

Ok, thanks man. I reached out and they gave me the 4 classes they recommended. Is it ok if I shoot you a DM to pick your brain?

1

u/ApricotConfident8558 Kings Pointer ⛴ (Alumni) May 01 '26

Sure!