I have been browsing here for a while because I recently started looking into my Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. Originally I was on track to get my bachelors in Aeronautics while in the Marines but learned very recently this wasn't a good idea. I had no idea before that getting a bachelors could prevent you from getting accepted to some schools. That being said I am now on route to get my Associates in Aeronautics through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University within the year. My high school grades are poor and I haven't had to take the SAT or ACT. I joined the military to become someone and have done a impressive amount while I have been in. Every thing I have accomplished or will have accomplished is below. As well as the schools I am interested in. If you could please provide guidance on whats good and whats not that would be awesome. I understand my GPA isn't fantastic but aggressively getting a degree in the Marines isn't necessarily easy. The goal has been to do absolutely everything I could the Marines, and not to waste any time. Engineering has always interested me but High School pushed me to the Marines, And the outcome has been the best decision I could have made with my life. You cannot get a good engineering education while in the military, so Aeronautics would have to suffice. Besides, being a pilot is not a bad backup right?
Schools of Interest: Northeastern Main Goal, BU, UMASS (Ahmerst), Western New England University, Tufts
Dream Schools: MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, UCBerkley, Princeton
- 5 years in the USMC as an Intermediate-Level Aviation Electronics Technician Specializing in Communication/Navigation/Cryptographic/Countermeasures
- Associates in Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (3.27 GPA)
- (3 CLEP exams, 27 Credits in military schooling credit, 45 Credits in classes taken)
- 8,000 Hours logged for Aviation Electrician Apprenticeship Completion
- Federal Communications Commission Certified
- Green Belt Certified in CPI Lean Six Sigma
- Various Awards towards work
- 300+ Hours in volunteer work to include coaching Youth Sports, and community service events in Japan.
(10+ Letters of appreciation)
My main worry is my GPA because I am just throwing more ECs on the list as we speak. I understand some of these schools are HUGE reaches, but I keep getting mixed reviews about veterans and how they are surprised the schools they get into. I am just freaking out I guess that I wont even get into NEU because realistically, that’s the school I am crazy interested in. Writing is something I am very good at as I am very passionate so I am not too worried about my personal statement. I am also very confident I can get very good letters of recommendation so I am not concerned there either. Should I be worried? And where should I look to improve?
Sorry I wrote ALOT!