What are the requirements for the Merchant Marine Academy?

I'm curious about what it takes to get into the Merchant Marine Academy. What are the academic, physical, and other requirements to apply and be accepted? I'm starting to plan my college applications and want to gather as much info as possible.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy has several types of requirements for admission, including academic, physical, and miscellaneous requirements.

For academic requirements, you typically should have a high school curriculum with a blend of strong coursework across core subjects such as Math (including Calculus if possible), English, Science (including Physics if possible), Social Studies, and foreign language. The academy doesn't specify a minimum GPA, but since it's highly selective, you'll want to aim for a high GPA to be competitive. A strong performance on the SAT or ACT is also crucial.

Physical requirements for the academy are a crucial part of the process. All midshipmen are required to participate in regimental activities, athletics, and the demanding Sea Year. As such, you'll need to pass a Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) medical exam.

Miscellaneous requirements include being a citizen of the United States, being of good moral character, and not being married, pregnant, or legally obligated to support a child or other individuals. In addition, all candidates must be nominated to the Academy. You can receive a nomination from a U.S. Representative, a U.S. Senator, the Vice President of the U.S, and several other sources.

It's also worth noting that all midshipmen commit to serving the U.S. as licensed Merchant Marine Officers or as commissioned officers in one of the Armed Forces. The service obligation varies based on the post-graduate employment taken.

Finally, while not required, things like leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities can help demonstrate other important qualities and make a candidate more competitive, particularly in Tier 1 and 2 activities which show extraordinary leadership or achievement (like winning a prestigious competition or being student body president).

Please be aware that requirements can change and it's always a good idea to directly contact the admissions office or visit the official USMMA website for the most up-to-date information.