Applying to college after Military Discharge

Hi all! Apologies if this seems a little out of the ordinary but it's something that's been gnawing at me. How does the college application process work for someone who has been discharged from the military? Is there any sort of assistance or resources available to guide through it?

Absolutely, it's important to note that a military background can provide a unique perspective to your application which can be very appealing to colleges. There are several resources designed for adventure-savvy applicants like you to guide you through the process.

Your college admissions journey will be similar to that of traditional students in many ways. You'll still complete an application form, submit the necessary credentials like transcripts and letters of recommendation, sign up for standardized tests (if necessary and depending on the school), and write essays.

However, as a veteran, there are some unique resources available to you:

- The GI Bill: This can provide financial assistance for tuition, housing, textbooks, and more. Make sure to check the specifics depending on whether you have the Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill.

- Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program: This is a federally funded TRIO program designed to help military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can successfully enroll in and complete post-secondary education.

- Service to School (S2S): This is a non-profit that provides free application counseling to military veterans and service members transitioning to undergraduate and graduate school.

Keep in mind:

For your college essays, your military experience gives you unique stories to tell. Just be careful to translate any military jargon into language that civilian admissions officers will understand.

One final thing that I think could be beneficial is to consider hiring an admissions consultant who specializes in helping veterans. They can provide tailored advice to make your application stand out.

Remember, your military service should be viewed as an asset in your application process. As a veteran, you have a wealth of experiences and maturity that traditional students may not possess - all of which are likely to be appreciated by many universities.