How interrelated are college degree and military experience?

Hey, I'm already serving in the military and have been considering getting a college degree. Could someone explain how my military experience might relate to and help with earning a degree? Thank you in advance!

Absolutely! Your military experience can indeed positively contribute to your pursuit of a college degree.

Firstly, your military experience has likely equipped you with skills like discipline, resilience, time management, and leadership, all of which are supremely valuable in a college setting. For example, being used to high-stakes situations can help you perform well under the academic pressure. The team-building and leadership experience gained in the military can also translate to group projects and team-based learning experiences in college.

Additionally, depending on your specific role or MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in the military, you may have gained experience and technical knowledge in a field that is related to a college major or course. This could give you a head start in understanding complex concepts or applying the skills you've learned.

Furthermore, many colleges offer college credit for life experiences such as military service. By evaluating military training, coursework, and occupational specialties, they can award academic credit, which could shorten the time you need to earn a degree. It’s always recommended to speak to a college admissions counselor to know what credits you may qualify for.

Discussing your military experience in your application and essays can make you stand out as a unique applicant. It demonstrates to colleges that you've been committed to something larger than yourself and that you've established strong character traits, values, and real-world experiences that not all traditional students might possess.

Lastly, as a service member, you might qualify for specific educational benefits to help fund your degree, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Taken together, all these areas demonstrate how military service can complement and enhance your college degree journey. It's all about leveraging your military experience to your advantage.