Transferring Suny-> CMA

[cornishone]

I am having issues with getting off campus housing for myself(and Fiance). I was told that I would get it by the Admissions department before I decided to go and now I am a bit uncertain that it will happen *(miscommunication i suppose). I have already talked to to CMA and they said that it would not be an issue. I had a couple questions about CMA:

1)What is the format of the summer cruise? I read that they do two 90 days opposed to Suny's two 60's and a cadet observer (soon to change i hear)?
2) I was also wondering about CMA's claims to offer off campus housing to older students. Can anyone attest to the validity of that statement?
3)I have never lived in CA, and was wondering what Vallejo is like?
4) most people I talk to here think that Suny is a better School for what I want (deep sea / possibly oil transport). Thanks in advance

*Edit:
Don't get the wrong idea. I really like the school and will be quite sad to leave it if I have to. I was always wondering what to expect from any Maritime Academy/School, and I have to say that this school is pretty great even for an older guy. I just have this one issue that I can not bend on. Again thanks for the help!

[Steamer]

4) most people I talk to here think that Suny is a better School for what I want (deep sea / possibly oil transport).

I am always happy to see a CMA cadet walk up the gangway. As chief it doesn't really matter what school, but when I was sailing 1st I much preferred CMA or KP as far as skills and attitude are concerned.

There is something that seems to breed mean and uptight people in the Northeast that doesn't exist in California and is eliminated by good leadership training at KP.

[jdcavo]

If you transfer, make sure SUNY Maritime gives you an accurate and upto date "Training Record Book." CMA is going to need it to accurately credit your STCW trainig at SUNY Maritime. A transcript alone won't work.

[Kevin]

I am always happy to see a CMA cadet walk up the gangway. As chief it doesn't really matter what school, but when I was sailing 1st I much preferred CMA or KP as far as skills and attitude are concerned.

There is something that seems to breed mean and uptight people in the Northeast that doesn't exist in California and is eliminated by good leadership training at KP.

Sure hope I dont turn into a mean, uptight young seafarer

[Steamer]

Sure hope I dont turn into a mean, uptight young seafarer

Go to CMA then sail out of the west coast, you'll be fine.

[nuthinfancy]

There is something that seems to breed mean and uptight people in the Northeast that doesn't exist in California.

It's the looong cold winters that put ice in the veins.

[Kingfysh]

The ones that allowed ice to form in their veins and get mean were the ones who didn't drink. Beer keeps your blood from icing up.

[Merchant Marine]

Cadet 24 years and older, cadets who are married, or veterans are allowed to live off campus. As for living in CA, its what you make of it...except Vallejo, Vallejo sucks. Thats why the only time we usually send in Vallejo is for school. Benicia, Berkley, San Fran, and Sacramento are just a few of the near by towns and cities which are more fun and interesting than Vallejo.
The faculty at CMA are some of the best in the industry and will always do their best for you. The administration on the other hand is a different story. Just remember, as we all try to, its all worth it in the end.
Let me know if you have any more questions regarding the school or the surrounding area.

[cornishone]

Thanks for everything. I have the fiance coming to visit this weekend ($700 for flight and hotel ). We are going to talk quite a bit about the situation. Again thanks for everything!

[New3M]

wait a second - you're already at SUNY? are you over 24 or have prior military experience? because they should just let you live off campus - go talk to Alissa McGrisken in admissions...she's the only one there that's a recent grad and knows anything about how the place is run - the rest of them promise the world and you won't get anything.

[cornishone]

wait a second - you're already at SUNY? are you over 24 or have prior military experience? because they should just let you live off campus - go talk to Alissa McGrisken in admissions...she's the only one there that's a recent grad and knows anything about how the place is run - the rest of them promise the world and you won't get anything.

yes I am well into my 30's

[CMA_Decky]

Email Josie Alexander, JAlexander@csum.edu. She's the dean of student life or some other similar important title. She's the one that's ultimately in charge of letting people off campus. As someone in their thirties though you're guranteed off campus housing. There's some nice houses right above the school in a development called Crystal Point, where I'm living now. I think theres 5 or 6 CMA houses rented up here. Glen Cove and Benecia are both nice areas also but a little farther away.

Our cruise structure is the same as SUNY, 2 60 day cruises on the bear after freshman and junior years and then a commercial cruise after your soph. year.

As soon as you get accepted get hold of the people in records and be pushy to get credit for your classes. I have friends here that transferred from SUNY who had already done their freshman cruise but the records ladies wouldn't accept it right off the bat. As a result they weren't able to sign up for the classes they needed to stay on track. Of course half way through the year they talked some sense into the ladies but by then it was too late.

[jdcavo]

...As soon as you get accepted get hold of the people in records and be pushy to get credit for your classes...

Do this at your own risk. The people who you will be pressuring may barely know how to spell STCW and may not be aware that there are small but important differences in academy curricula. For example, a few years ago a cadet transferred from one academy to another a few miles across the water. The "receiving" academy waived terrestrial navigation because the cadet took an apparently similar course at the other academy. But, the original academy teaches some subjects (tides, compass adjustment) in a 4th year course that the cadet didn't take yet, and the new academy teaches the same subjects in the first year course they waived. The result was a gap in STCW competencies that had to be remedied before the cadet could get his license.

Get a TRB from SUNY if you transfer. CMA will need it to avoid they type of problem I described. Better yet, see if you can get one before you transfer so CMA can tell you what you need to do at CMA. Whatever parts of your TRB were not completed at SUNY, you need to do those parts of CMA's program that correspond to the incomplete parts of the TRB.

[CMA_Decky]

Email my friend Joel that transferred from SUNY after a year and a cruise over there. JBuffa@csum.edu. I'm sure he can give you some pointers.

[cornishone]

Thanks for all the help.

[CMA_1D]

Vallejo isn't the most interesting of towns, however the surrounding communities have alot to offer. San Fran is only about 45 mins away.

[tugmstr]

Where you graduate is where your from...not who you are. In the end it comes down to attitude, knowledge, an open mind and a desire to be a professional.
Fair winds amd a following sea.

[brjones]

I know you have already transferred or stayed and this thread is old, but I thought I would ad my experience for some who may want to live off campus. Nowadays even if your under 24 they have been letting students live off campus, especially if you are a junior or higher. They have got a large influx of students compared to 10 years ago. They can’t house them all, so they have let up on the campus living. As far as living in Vallejo? When I lived there it was hit and miss as far as good and bad neighborhoods. The closer to the campus the worse the "hood". I lived off Redwood close to the Albertsons there and it was nice. My wife was living with me and she felt safe there. If you can find a cheap place in Benicia you would like it better. Its about a 10 minute drive to school. As far as being pushy with records???? If Debbie Fisher still works there I would be pushy at all. She will hold you up if she is in a bad mood