On today’s episode, we have a fantastic conversation with Service to School applicant & Ambassador, Ed Somuk. Ed is a retired US Marine Corps veteran & current student at Harvard University. We dive into applying to college after retiring from a full military career, deciding to start college as a 1st year freshman vs. later year transfer student, balancing college life with a family, the veteran community on campus and more!

Main Topics

• Ed’s background & introduction (0:35)

• Experiences in the Marines that inspired decision to attend college (4:45)

• Begin the process of pursuing higher education, finding S2S, reaching out for admissions support (7:15)

• Evaluating criteria for transfer vs 1st year application, the most common questions from other veterans applying to Harvard (12:40)

• Power of S2S ambassador in translating experience for admissions officers (13:50)

• Receiving admissions letter from Harvard (16:05)

• Decision to matriculate to Harvard as a 1st year freshman vs. sophomore or junior, balancing traditional freshman experiences with family life as adult learner (21:15)

• Difference in academic rigor in online courses & classes at Harvard (25:00)

• Campus experiences that relate to campus culture, college fit & goals of education (27:30)

• Veteran community at Harvard, recognition of value veterans bring to campus (31:55)

• Advice for fellow veterans considering pursuing higher education (33:50)

Additional Resources

• Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization (HUVO)

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