How the Merchant Marine Academy Chooses Students

Join hosts LTC Rob Kirkland and Trish Dach as they share expert insights into the admissions process—and today, a special focus on the often-overlooked Merchant Marine Academy.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on why the Merchant Marine Academy can be a smart choice for high-performing students who excel academically but may not be strong test-takers. With a higher acceptance rate compared to other service academies and unique nomination processes, it’s worth considering if you’re aiming for a career at sea.

We’ll cover critical topics like how nominations work, the breakdown of competitive scores, and why extracurricular activities with military connections matter. If you're interested in learning how to stand out in the application process, especially with upcoming changes in the admissions landscape, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Stay tuned for our upcoming book, Secrets of Merchant Marine Academy Admissions. Make sure to sign up for the waitlist below to get notified as soon as it’s available.

Join the waitlist here.

As always, we’re here to guide you through every step of the academy admissions process. Subscribe now to stay updated on all things related to service academy admissions.