<p>Hey, I'm a Marine Corp vet applying to Columbia GS. I'm transferring from a community college and I'm just hoping to connect with other vets going through the same process or perhaps current vet students.</p>
<p>I'm really excited about the prospect of the Yellow Ribbon program, and hoping that, as a military-friendly school, GS weighs military experience heavily. I have the stats to be competitive otherwise, but it would be nice to know that such experiences are attractive to the admissions board.</p>
<p>If there are any current vet students, do you have any info about the school you would like to pass on, or maybe any social organizations to look into should I be accepted?</p>
<p>Wow, that was a great article. Thank you for deciding to share that with me! That was a wealth of great information. It’s also nice to see other veterans progressing in that environment. I have often wondered about the possible anti-war/anti-military sentiments on some of the highest echelon schools. It’s great to know that the campus is relatively welcoming.</p>
<p>There’s an organization on campus called “MiliVets” that caters to servicemen/women of all branches. As far as I know, it’s not limited to GS students and includes people from the law school, graduate school of arts and sciences, etc.</p>
<p>GS orientation weeks feature small group seminars that are hosted by deans, faculty, student leaders, etc. As far as I know, there are usually more than one geared towards veterans. So, you’ll get the chance to meet a lot of veterans before you ever start classes. Also, and people are often surprised about this, expects to meet a lot of foreign veterans, too. Israeli soldiers, French Foreign Legion, etc.</p>
<p>cababika799 - I’m about to complete my active duty service (Army) and am currently applying to GS. Haven’t filled out the YR forms, since I’m still waiting on verification of my switch from the old Montgomery GI Bill to new Post 9/11 benefits. So much paperwork…</p>
<p>I did do early decision. And I can relate with the paperwork. There’s a lot of moving parts to a completed application…and just getting it done on time is almost rewarding enough! haha.</p>
<p>When will you know that you benefits switched over?</p>
<p>For you fellow vets getting out, the only thing I would seriously recommend is keeping pressing with the paperwork, and do whatever you can possible in the meantime to save a few thousand dollars or keep available credit to live on for living expenses while you wait for the GI Bill to come through with your BAH payments. The worst thing you could do, is come to NYC with no money in your account on the first day of class, the stress is worth it doing it that way if you have too, but don’t set yourself up for that if you can plan for it now, as in most cases it has taken other vets here a few months to get there initial payments from the VA. The better every incoming vet can do those two things, the better we can succeed as a group and be prosperous individuals here on campus and beyond.</p>
<p>Great to hear Rossi. I am applying myself in a few months for Spring of next year. 10 year Navy guy myself, just off active duty and in community college. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>A quick message to any vets lurking the board that might come across this thread… The staff (Amber Griffiths) that deals with us Vets and the VA are TOP NOTCH. Seriously, they send out e-mails with tons of info, and are always quick to respond to any inquiries. In addition, they are trying to get us BAH money and tuition payments ahead of the usual time-frame.</p>
<p>After reading so many horror stories from vets at other schools, I can assure you that your experience at Columbia (if accepted, of course) will be much different.</p>