Understanding College Credit for Military Training

Hey everyone, recently I've been contemplating joining the military after high school. I've come across some info that suggests military training could count towards college credits? Can anyone shed some light on this? How does it work and what kinds of courses does it apply to? I'm particularly interested in UCSB, if that helps. Thanks in advance, any insight is appreciated.

Absolutely, military training and experience can often translate to college credits, thanks to the American Council on Education (ACE), which evaluates military training and experiences and recommends equivalent college credits. However, it's important to note that it's up to individual colleges to decide whether or not to grant these credits.

The ACE maintains a guide that matches military occupations, courses, and exams with its college credit recommendations. You can browse this guide on the ACE website. Based on these evaluations, your military transcripts can list potential college credit, which can be assessed by colleges and universities.

However, it's also crucial to understand that the kind of courses it applies to varies greatly. Some training might translate into general education credits, others might apply to electives, and some might even satisfy requirements for specific majors.

In regards to your interest in the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), they generally accept credit for military service schools beyond the basic level, as recommended by ACE. In their evaluation, the University follows ACE recommendations to determine credit for military service. You can contact UCSB directly to find out specifics on transferring military training credits.

It's advised to request your military transcripts and take them when you meet with an admissions counselor or transfer advisor at the college you're looking at, so they can provide further guidance after assessing your military experience and training. You can do this by contacting the respective branch of military service you are or were enrolled in, and they'll guide you on how to request your transcripts. Hope this helps!