<p>Hello,
I have been reading a ton of threads on this forum but haven't been able to find anywhere that specifically deals with my situation. I did fairly well in High School, I got accepted to UCLA and UCSD but my parents could not afford to send me and rather than face student loans I joined the military. Fast forward four years and I deployed to Afghanistan as EOD, long story short an LT stepped on an IED right next to me and 10 surgeries and tons of physical therapy later, I'm getting medically retired. I scored a 2030 on my SAT I, 730 on my lit SAT II. I am currently attending AMU (american military university) and am two courses away from earning an AS and have 3.7 gpa. For more background my degree is in EOD (random I know) but I plan to go into the medical field. Question being: what colleges would I be competitive for with my current scores and a Purple Heart/military experience? Also, does it matter that my SAT's are 5 years old as a transfer student? I have been reading a lot about programs like the Eli Whitney Program at Yale and a few other non standard programs. Also, since AMU is a completely online school how much a pain is it going to be to transfer credit if at all? That being said, should I apply as a transfer or try to find a non standard program? Any and all advice would be appreciated, I've been out of the game for so long and just getting started with everything going on in my life is slightly overwhelming! Thanks!</p>
<p>mcjallen,my S is a Navy EOD(mcm) LT. Making it through EOD school is a huge accomplishment. That experience will stand you in good stead for completing your four yr. degree. Thank you for your service and hope you are healing well from your injuries.
You are well prepared for college which you’ve proven by almost completing your AS w/ a 3.7. If you have a two year degree,your old SAT won’t matter. Wouldn’t think the online degree should be a prob. since it’s from AMU. Public U’s might be easier than privates in that regard.
Applying as a transfer student would prob. offer more opportunities than a non standard program. What kind of degree are you aimimg for? Are you eligible for the GI Bill for education? What state are you in? Are your state u’s a good option?</p>
<p>There is a small, but very supportive Veterans sub-forum under the heading “Specialty College Admissions Topics” inside the Admissions forum [Veterans</a> - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/veterans/]Veterans”>Veterans - College Confidential Forums) You might like to post some questions there, and to read through the threads that already are there. When you have made 15 posts, you can send an email or a PM through the CC system to other users, so you can ask more questions that way as well.</p>
<p>What do your advisors at AMU suggest about transferring once you have completed your AS? They will have some useful ideas as well. For information specific to transfers, check out the threads in the Transfer Forum. There you probably should start by reading through <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/390861-transfer-admissions-101-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/390861-transfer-admissions-101-a.html</a></p>
<p>Will you be continuing physical therapy for some time after you leave the military? Then you also want to pay attention to access to PT and to any disability services through the colleges/universities that you put on your application list. Once you have a list, the people in the Parents Forum may be able to advise you about access to those things on different college/university campuses.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best in your transition to civilian life.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for your replies! I have created a thread in the veterans subthread and read every thread on there! Definitely some good information. To answer some questions, I am very interested in going to med school, I am eligible for the GI Bil and I will also receiving the army college fund when I start school. I am currently in WA but am a California resident. Honestly though most schools have an in sate tuition waiver for active duty military/veterans so that isn’t a limiting factor. </p>
<p>As far as my advisors at AMU, it is completely online so it’s hard to get in contact with them/ I would really like to hear from people who are in similar situations as me! I will try to set up an appointment to call them though to see if they have helpful info! As far as medical care goes the VA will be providing me with everything I need! Thanks again!</p>
<p>mcj,when S was in EOD school (in beautiful Niceville FL), he applied for online grad. school(public university) in NC where he was born,raised and graduated fr. college.<br>
They wanted him to pay out of state tuition because he was living in FL.<br>
It took some correspondence(proof that he was still paying taxes in NC) and talking to various people before they finally agreed that he should get instate tuition. </p>
<p>Just a heads up to be sure and contact the schools you’re interested in to make sure you’ll get instate rates before going too far into the process.</p>
<p>Definitely good advice, I’ll be sure to look into that! And I definitely miss Eglin, that whole area was beautiful! haha</p>
<p>Yep,S enjoyed living there too,says he wouldn’t mind doing a tour as an EOD instructor if he could get it. Good luck to you.</p>