What are courses or some advice for someone who is trying to attend a top tier university after serving in the military?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 00:43:38 -0500

I am only months into my contract, but it’s never too soon to look into future education. I am asking for advice on what I could do while enlisted that could help build my resume for when the time comes to attend school. Other than taking college courses online, are there other things I could do that would make me a more valuable asset to these schools after my service?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 12:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 00:59:14 -0500

Look into doing volunteer work/community service events. Schools often like students to be active in their community.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 25 at 2018 1:05 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 01:05:49 -0500

I took plenty of college courses while on active duty which added up to two full years of credit. Don't overlook the value of Your Military course especially if they are in the career You pursue. Management training within the Military is also very valuable to say nothing of any experience You gain as a supervisor from a leadership position in the Military. My Military experience also helped with leadership positions in the student body and that background did impress the college faculty and they commented on and thanked Me for the roles I played which helped not only the school but My fellow students. I was just a little bit older and more experienced that some other students as were other veterans and they did quite well. Our class President was a Navy Veteran. The amount of effort You put into not only preparation but what You do as a full time student including getting involved in campus sports and activities all helps. Like anything You will get out of it what You put into it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 3:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 03:43:05 -0500

LTC Kevin B. Can give you significantly better insight.

Here is my opinion:

I guess it would depend on the particular school you plan to attend, and how you can correlate your military experience to what they care about. For instance, pertaining to military applicants, Harvard says, "High academic standards, leadership in non-academic areas, and personal qualities will form the basis for all of our admission decisions" (https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/us-military-veterans). To me that translates to maintaining a high GPA (in college classes and NCO schools), becoming a leader in your organization and for distinct projects, and subjective personal qualities. Also note that Harvard won't take applicants with more than two years of schooling, so you might want to check for that with your projected school.

To facilitate "leadership in non-academic areas" you could pursue Airborne School and Ranger School, to increase your opportunity to promote to leadership ranks (CPL and above) and positions, and get an earlier start in leading. Don't just go for the expedient acquisition of the ranks, but seek to be the best fit in that rank, so that you are a benefit to the Army and your evaluations reflect as such.

You could pursue the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM), which requires 500 hours or 3-years worth of volunteer work. Some will say you shouldn't do the MOVSM for external reward, but I say regardless of the reasoning for pursuing the award, the time spent volunteering still provided free labor to a civilian organization that could use it. At the end of the day, it's partially a positive advertising campaign that helps military recruiting efforts. Use that to further establish leadership in non-academic areas. There are only so many leadership positions in the Army, so this can be a good way to make yourself standout, and the volunteer work translates well outside of the military.

Absolutely purchase the Cochise College credits you get for completing Advanced Individual Training (AIT); if nothing else, they will fill electives for your future degree. However, you also need to ensure you do well in your AIT courses, because your AIT course performance translates directly to the letter grade Cochise College gives you after you graduate. If you do poorly you get a lower grade, of which becomes a lower GPA. Take the time to learn your MOS, don't just focus on "barely passing," but focus on extracting as much information and experience you can from your experienced instructors and Platoon Sergeants. This is not only to get good grades, but also to be a more effective 35M/09L for the Army, which will also bleed over to higher promotion potential. The more competent and mature you are at the early ranks, the more you will stand-out to your leadership for early advancement.

Lastly, determine if it would be more beneficial to obtain an undergraduate degree using the "free" Tuition Assistance Program (https://www.goarmyed.com/public/public_tuition_assistance_policies.aspx) WHILE serving in your initial contract, and then pursue a graduate degree with your GI Bill after you ETS. Life can change very unexpectedly and very quickly, and it would be ashamed to start from scratch after multiple years of service, especially if you had the chance to chunk away at it while you were serving.

Just some things to consider.

Page not found | Harvard College

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 3:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 03:52:11 -0500

Much like SGT Private RallyPoint Member mentioned, you want to do whatever you can to show that you're a well rounded individual. Just you being SM shows your character. You can build upon that through whatever you can do to give back to the community. You might look into a local church or any local organizations that work on projects that you're passionate about. There are always opportunities available should we take the time to seek them out. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders; follow the advice of the members on here and continue to be a high speed soldier and any university will be glad to have you. Use the military as an opportunity to develop those leadership skills as well!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 25 at 2018 10:12 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 10:12:52 -0500

You've established your mission objective (get into a top tier school). Now you need to define the steps to accomplish said goal.

Reverse planning is your friend.

I'd start by picking three schools you want as your primary choices. Research their admission requirements, and marry up those requirements with your current skills. This tells you where you meet standards and where you are lacking.

Think of it like promotion requirements. To get promoted to Sgt/SSgt you need to have X points, which equates to a Y PFT, Z Rifle Score, and certain other modifiers like medals and education. Use this mental model and translate it into the college application process.

As an example, I did a google search for "Harvard Requirements" and the first result was High School GPA (4.04 on a 4.0 scale). These are the kind of indicators you are looking for.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 12:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 12:01:18 -0500

You can also attend “Top Tier” Universities while still serving in the Army, there are a plethora of different programs opportunities. I would highly recommend that you speak with your first line leaders about your education options and visit your local education center to see what’s available to you.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 25 at 2018 3:02 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 15:02:11 -0500

There are organizations such as Service to School that help veterans attend high tier schools. You can also find potential mentors by going to LinkedIn and looking for military graduates of target schools and asking for advice.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2019 10:25 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 22:25:59 -0500

You need to crush the pre-reqs. Look at the school and make sure you have at least an average GPA and average SAT/ACT. If you don't, consider the transfer route from another quality undergrad where you can get a good GPA. Also, retake the SAT/ACT until you meet the requirements.