Hi all! I'm a high school junior who's had some experience in a military setting. I'm dreaming of colleges where I can convert military experience to credits, and build a path forward using this advantage. Are there specific colleges that are known for this or have arrangements like this in place that you guys know of?
Absolutely, there are numerous institutions across the country that are particularly accommodating to military students and work hard to award credit for military experience. Figuring out which one is right for you will depend largely on your academic and career goals. Do keep in mind, converting military experience to academic credit will typically depend not just on the institution, but also the specifics of your duties and training in the military.
As a starting point, public state colleges and universities often have policies in place to award academic credit for military training and experience. Check with the admissions office or veterans services office of each institution you're interested in to find out specifics.
Private colleges and universities might also have similar policies. Often these schools participate in something called the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that helps students avoid any out-of-pocket tuition and fees above the national maximum set by the VA for private schools.
Online, non-traditional colleges like American Military University (AMU) and Excelsior College specialize in serving military students and veterans. These schools typically understand the value of your military training and can evaluate your experience for academic credit.
Know about the American Council on Education (ACE), an organization that provides recommendations for converting military training into college credit. Your Joint Services Transcript (JST) if you've enlisted already, would have this information.
Remember, each school will have slightly different policies regarding transfer credits, so it's best to do your due diligence and reach out to individual schools to understand their unique process and what kind of credit you may receive. This will help you find the institution that's the best fit for you academically and in terms of valuing your military experience. Good luck with your college search and congratulations on your military service!
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