Does Military Experience Benefit College Apps?

I’ve spent the last few years serving in the military and I’m now planning on applying to college. Has anyone here used their military experience in their college application? If so, how did it influence your application? Thank you!

Certainly, military experience can differentiate you from other candidates and enrich your college application. Colleges generally value the leadership skills and unique world experience that military veterans bring to campus. However, this heavily depends on how you articulate this experience in your application.

Firstly, your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement is an excellent place to discuss your military service. This should focus on your insights, growth, and the skills you've developed, rather than the technical details of your military duties. For instance, you might have honed leadership, teamwork, discipline, and strategic planning skills, or even learned to thrive under pressure. You might also talk about your personal growth, such as increased understanding of different cultures or appreciation for diversity.

Secondly, if your military service has influenced your career goals or choice of major, this highlighting that relationship can strengthen your application. For example, if you were a military medic and are now considering a degree in nursing or if your time in logistics sparked an interest in supply chain management.

Lastly, you might want to discuss your military experience in college interviews or eventual letters of recommendation (especially if they are written by commanding officers or colleagues who can attest to your skills and growth during your service).

Examining the experiences and skills gained during your military service in these ways will allow admission officers to appreciate how your unique perspective and insights could enrich their campus community.