Hey there, I'm currently in my junior year and getting ready to start the college application process. I've been considering a military career - can enlisting in the military potentially help in getting accepted into a college?
Yes, enlisting in the military may potentially influence your college admissions process. Various colleges and universities value the unique life experiences, maturity, and leadership skills often demonstrated by service members, which can make their applications stand out. Therefore, it's important to highlight these experiences and skills in your application, especially within your personal statement or additional information section to illustrate how your service has shaped you and influenced your college aspirations.
That said, following your high school graduation, if you enlist and serve in the military before applying to colleges, you will likely be considered as a non-traditional student or a veteran applicant which may imply different admissions procedures for certain colleges.
Moreover, enlisting in the military could possibly provide financial aid benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill are programs designed to help service members pay for college.
However, it's critical to note that the decision to enlist in the military should not be taken lightly as it also involves a significant commitment. It should be a decision based on your interest in serving your country and an understanding of the challenges and sacrifices it entails, rather than merely a strategy to enhance your college applications.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.