I've done some military classes and I'm curious if there's a way to convert this training into college credits. It would be great to enter college with some credits under my belt. Have any of you had experience with this?
Absolutely, it's possible to convert military training into college credits and it happens more often than you might think. A popular avenue to do this is by using the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is a document that translates military training and courses into potential college credit. It's recognized by many colleges and universities across the country.
However, whether your credits are accepted usually depends on the institution. Each college and university sets its own policy for transferring in credits, so it may be necessary to check with the admissions office at the institutions you're interested in.
Additionally, a good resource to help you understand how to convert your military training into college credit is the American Council on Education's (ACE) Military Guide, which is a tool that can translate military coursework into academic coursework, offering a possible equivalency that colleges can use as a guide.
Lastly, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) offer tests in various subjects where a passing score can earn you college credit. The CLEP is particularly noteworthy because it's free for military personnel.
Just remember, there's really no one-size-fits-all answer as it ultimately depends on the specific policies of the colleges you're interested in. Start by reaching out to the colleges' admissions offices or veteran services offices, and they should be able to guide you through the process.
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