How do selective colleges (specifically private colleges) look at applicants who have taken some time off school to join the army?
I am thinking about joining the army to become a linguist. Since my contract would be at least four years, I’d be applying as an older student (21-22). Have you heard of many students at, for example, Barnard, Colgate, or Dickinson, doing this? Also, would those colleges consider what I did in the army during the admission process? Or would they look solely at my HS academics?
I know at come public schools, applicants who were army are given preference for admission, financial aid, campus jobs, etc. But I am not sure what the private colleges would do. Does anyone know?
<p>I think it can do nothing but help your cause. Not only will you be bringing with you greater maturity, you will also most likely be bringing Army scholarship monies that the schools will love. Also consider, that coming from the Army, you might qualify as an independent student which will change your financial eligibility greatly in your favor. Look up the rules on Independent student status.</p>
<p>Agree with Lukester that it will be a plus, especially regarding maturity. Also, if you’re training to be a linguist in the Army you will receive some of the best language training there is. I spoke to a woman a few days ago whose daughter went through the Monterey Language school to learn Korean - and then spent two years in Korea with the Army - now she’s back in Monterey to learn Tagalog (Filipino). She loved Monterey and the program. But be aware, if this is where you’re heading, that if you go through the language training and DON’T PASS, you still owe the Army time - so work hard and study hard. Good luck!</p>
<p>As the others above say, it will be a plus. But I’ve got to warn you that this road will be difficult. You will have to remain focused and highly motivated to achieve your goal of college. Because what happens in many, perhaps most, of these cases is that you get in the Army and in a year or two you meet somebody, fall in love, and get married. Suddenly college is starting to shift a little more into the background. A child or two comes along, and the next thing you know you wake up and you are 45 years old and never went to college, or went very little. And now it’s your kids who need to go to college. </p>
<p>So my advice is that if you really want to go to college, go as soon as you can. The Army thing will be great if you can pull it off, but reognize that there are significant risks that college may never happen for you. I’ve known more people who have failed at this route than have succeeded. Good luck!</p>
<p>Military service (with honorable discharge) is considered a plus at virtually every college for admission (including the elite privates). In many states, an in-state resident with military service actually has a preference for admission at public universities over those just graduating high school.</p>
<p>A question to consider is how YOU will feel about and relate to your classmates at an LAC like Colgate or Dickenson,who will be younger, less mature in many ways, have a different outlook and perhaps be more affluent. Who will you relate to and hang out with?</p>
<p>You may be more comfortable at a University with a mix too of older, and perhaps more serious career minded grad students. Or in a metropolitan area with more opportunities socially. Barnard would certainly seem like a better choice.</p>
<p>Either way, four years and the Army is a long time, plenty of time to consider where you’ll go. And if you do well, the Army may provide opportunities and directions as to where to apply.</p>