If you are either enrolled in the military or plan to pursue a military career, you should consider military friendly colleges when determining your educational path. These schools will provide excellent opportunities for both personal growth and career enhancement while you study. Read on to learn more about military friendly colleges and universities.
Why Choose Military Friendly Colleges?
While you can pursue a military career after attending just about any college, military friendly schools are a benefit to anyone either actively enrolled in the military or planning to join the military because those students will receive both academic and military training while in school. They can also receive other great benefits such as scholarships or reduced tuition because of their military service.
Military friendly universities are also a good way to begin networking. While enrolled at a school that caters to the Armed Forces, you’ll meet other students like yourself who are planning to study now and join the military as an officer. You’ll make lifelong friendships and networking connections which will provide satisfying relationships for years to come.
Can’t I Go Into the Military After Attending Any College?
It is certainly possible to enter the military after college, but you will be missing out on excellent training and leadership opportunities you’ll have to make up later if you don’t go to a military friendly school. Programs such as the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) are designed to enable students to both excel in their studies while training to become an officer for the U.S. military immediately after graduation. You’ll simply be saving time and making the most of your experience by attending a military friendly school.
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Military FriendLY College?
Though the actual benefits will vary by college, there are a few ways military friendly colleges make life easier for students interested in the Armed Forces:
- Reduced and waived fees: Many schools (such as Texas A&M) will waive the application fee for some programs if you are enrolled in the military
- Scholarships: In addition to the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program scholarships offered by the U.S. Government, many universities offer tuition reductions and scholarships to students enlisted in the military.
- Military student services: Clubs, societies, and other activities aimed at students pursuing a military career allow for great networking and internship opportunities.
There are many other benefits to attending a military friendly college. Speak to an ROTC rep or a recruitment officer to find out more.
Are There Any Downsides to Choosing a Military Friendly College?
While there are many benefits to attending a college or university that caters to students either enlisted in or planning to join the military, there aren’t many drawbacks. The biggest challenge you’ll face as you look for a school to attend is that wanting a school to be military-friendly can limit your choices a bit. Don’t let this intimidate you, though; you still have plenty of options to advance both your education and your career in the Armed Forces.
Different schools offer varying degrees of military accommodation, though. Before committing to a school, visit the campus if at all possible. If the school has an ROTC program, visit the ROTC office and speak to an officer about what the school does to help students interested in the military excel. Remember, there is a big difference between a school that actively gives enlisted personnel scholarships, offers military student service opportunities (such as ROTC), and helps students complete assignments while on active duty, and a school that simply allows a recruitment office on campus.
How to Find a School That Is Military Friendly
With some of the benefits of attending a military school discussed, you’re probably wondering how you go about finding a school that is friendly to students either in or planning to go into the military. Here are a few quick tips to assist you in your search for a college or university that fits you.
- A good place to start your search is to determine which branch of the military you want to enter (Army, Navy, Air force, Marines, Coast Guard), or are currently serving in, and then look at the official ROTC page for that branch. There, you will be able to find college locators which should help you begin to narrow down your search. For example, the Air force has a U.S. Air force ROTC College Locator; start there and get a list of potential colleges.
- Next, look at what you would like to study. A university with a strong focus in English and the humanities might not fit your needs if you want to go into mechanical engineering. Speak to academic counselors from your high school, or do some online research to find the best programs for your major across the country. Don’t worry if you don’t have the best grades—sometimes a military connection can help you get into a school you otherwise may not be able to attend.
- After making both of these lists, compare them with each other. Which colleges are desirable for both your major and the military opportunities? Make a third, “short” list of these schools.
- Finally, start dialing. Call the ROTC offices on these campuses and ask if you can speak with an officer about the school. Ask what accommodations the school makes for active military students and students planning a military career. Find out if there are scholarships available, if professors work with students called away to active duty, and if there are military student service programs.
- If possible, make a visit to the schools you are thinking about attending and speak to ROTC representatives and students planning to go into the military. You can also speak to professors in the department in which you are planning to study in order to find out what your future instructors do for military students.
While these steps may seem like a bit of work, you’ll be glad you spent the time researching potential schools when it actually becomes time to start studying. A little bit of work now will save you huge headaches later on down the road.
{ 1 comment }