<p>I am currently a United States Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I am getting out of the Marine Corps in about 6 months. A little background information:</p>
<p>-23 years old. Have been in for 5 years (so far) and hold the rank of Sergeant (E-5).
-Job wise, I am an Embarkation Specialist (Logistics). In short, I deal with the computer-based systems that are used to properly move personnel and cargo via ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
-Participated in military exercises in several different countries to include Japan (Operation Tomodachi), South Korea, Philippines, and Guam.
-Being in the military gives me about 40~ credits from training we received while in. (I am looking more into this)
-Taken college classes at University of Maryland University College to include: <em>Elementary Japanese 1</em> (personal interest) and I will take <em>Concepts and Applications of Information Technology</em> in two weeks.
-As far as high school goes, it's been so long since I have even looked at my transcript, but from what I remember, I received mostly A's and B's... couple C's... with a few AP/Honors classes sprinkled in there.
-(less relevant/expired) Certificates in Hazardous Materials Transportation and Air Load Planning</p>
<p>-The military will pay my full tuition (up to $19,000/year) and will also cover books and housing. Finances will not be a problem.</p>
<p>Am I leaving out any pertinent information?</p>
<p>It would be a dream come true if I was accepted to this school. I am ready to leave behind my military lifestyle and embark on an education pathway. Please let me know anything and everything about potentially being accepted or just CS knowledge in general. I would highly appreciate it.</p>
<p>The main entry route to Berkeley for someone in your situation (with post-high-school college credit) would be to complete the prerequisites for your major at a community college, then apply as a junior level transfer student. If you go to a community college in California, you can use [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) to check course articulation.</p>
<p>Community colleges with relatively good coverage of Berkeley CS courses include Diablo Valley and Laney:</p>
<p>Out-of-state costs at a UC will be more than what you say the military will contribute to your education. However, establishing California residency for someone in your situation (military veteran, will soon be 24 years old) means that your residency is not dependent on your parents’ residency.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply. I have definitely taken the CC route into consideration, but due to personal circumstances, I would find this path undesirable. Not completely out of reach, but not something I personally would push for.</p>
<p>What steps could I take to being accepted right out of the military? I have a bit of time before I leave my current duty station, so I want to use this time wisely.</p>
<p>To apply as a frosh, you must either be in high school or have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university after high school graduation, other than a summer session immediately after high school graduation.</p>
<p>By the looks of it I can’t get into UCB as a freshman because I have taken college courses with University of Maryland University College. I will have to go to a community college and knock out any pre-reqs then transfer in as a junior.</p>
<p>That would depend on if you took those college courses as a one-off thing, of if you were actually enrolled in a four-year program. I would investigate this and not make any assumptions.</p>
<p>I’m a veteran, I was in the Navy for 6 years and left an E-5 as well. I took the CC route. I got decent grades and participated in clubs and community service. It took me two years, so it ate up some on my post 9/11 GI bill benefits, but scholarships are helping out. </p>
<p>I am a Psych major, and I don’t know the requirements for CS, but Assist.org will help out if you do plan on going to a CC. My friend who just got out of the Navy, indecently whose last tour was in Japan, applied to and was accepted into Columbia. I’m not sure of her education background, but she didn’t have to go through CC. </p>
<p>I don’t know if I was of any help, but good luck.</p>
[quote]
Student Veteran Information
The overwhelming majority of undergraduate student veterans come to UC Berkeley as transfer students from California community colleges. As such, we encourage you to plan early and make use of resources such as your community college counselor, [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://assist.org), UC Berkeley admissions advocates, and the Office of undergraduate Admissions websites listed above. Remain motivated and determined to use your talents and strengths to the best of your ability. Create a network of counselors and faculty who can provide guidance and support as you make progress and excel at the community college and encourage you to apply to UC Berkeley or other four year educational institutions. A great way to achieve this is through our Starting Point Mentorship Program that partners you with a Cal Veteran who recently transitioned from community college to UC Berkeley themselves. Through that resource, you can learn about the additional services available to Cal Veterans on campus and in our community, and get a better sense of the vibrant student veteran community here at Cal. Even if things don’t progress quite as planned, certainly don’t give up your dream if you have one bad semester or year. Strive to learn from circumstances that impacted your academic studies and be ceratin to address that in your personal statement.</p>
<p>Above all, please note that we highly value your service for our country and recognize the additional life and professional skills you would bring to our university community. One of the best ways to showcase these skills and experiences is through the personal statement as part of the undergraduate application process, so in addition to a strong academic record, please recognize the importance and value of that document as part of your application package</p>
<p>Student Veteran Advocates Within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
If you have questions you can contact any of the following UC Berkeley representatives:</p>
<p>You should contact UC Berkeley admission. If you only took one class from a college, you should check to see if you can still apply as a freshman. Is this a regular college class or an extension type of class? Did you take this class during your service so you are not actually enroll in a college program?</p>
<p>If you must apply as a transfer, then CC is the way to go. If you can apply as a freshman, then you can give it a try since you always have the option of applying as a transfer later.</p>
<p>You wouldn’t apply as a freshmen but your second year at a community college. Your best and I would say only option is to go to a community college and finish your prerequisites there with high marks. Remember you need 60 UC transferable units. Depending on your major you are going to need to take more elective classes listed on IGETC for the community college you plan to attend. If you have any questions feel free to ask :D</p>