MMMA
To all alumni of Mol Magsaysay Maritime Academy, I am an incoming college freshman and so far have passed the entrance exam and interviews of the admission process. However, I am currently hesitating on whether or not I should enroll to MMMA, mainly due to the expensive tuition fees. Even with the SNPL, I find it risky to be around a million pesos in debt with interest—which are not disclosed by MMMA. Especially when employment upon graduation and the promotion to the ranks of an officer is not essentially guaranteed, it would mean that it may roughly take 2 or more years to fully pay my tuition, excluding the 1 year cadetship onboard training. This, of course, are just mere estimates, and it would vary significantly depending on the contract, vessel, company, etc.
However, what's keeping me from fully letting go of the opportunity to study in MMMA is of course because of its direct backing from major global shipping companies which offers priority to MMMA graduates. Basically, the opportunity to secure a stable employment contract with Mitsui O.S.K Lines early on in my career is a major factor that—if all goes well—would set a solid foundation for stability and steady promotion to Captain.
So, to MMMA graduates who see this, how are you all doing in your careers? Your responses are all well appreciated.