Surprise, it’s a bonus episode! Today’s guest is a S2S Applicant turned Ambassador and now S2S’s new Director of Alumni Programming, Jacob Ashton! Jacob joined us to chat about his experience in the military & transitioning to the classroom, including his relationships with professors, difference in military & academic leadership, challenges veterans face on campus, and overcoming life hurdles along the way in the pursuit of his goals.

Main Topics

• Jacob’s background & introduction (0:32)

• Transitioning from military to academia (4:40)

• The academic experience: from Community College to Ivy League (5:30)

• Overcoming Rejection: The path to Columbia University (12:15)

• Building Relationships: Professors and campus resources (17:00)

• Finding Community: The importance of veteran networks (24:45)

• Advice for future applicants: prioritizing mental health (28:25)

Additional Resources

• Ambassador Volunteer

• Columbia School of General Studies

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This week, we welcome S2S Applicant turned Ambassador, Zac Cobb to the podcast. Zac is a former USAF Pararescueman (PJ), UT Austin graduate, and current 1L law student at Yale Law School. Zac shares about his journey from college to the military and on to law school, dives deep into navigating law school admissions, the veteran community & culture at Yale Law School, tons of tips & advice for fellow veterans applying to law school admissions, and much more.

Main Topics

• ​Zac’s background & introduction (0:32)
• ​Journey from college to the military (2:45)
• ​Understanding the 'Why' behind law school (5:10)
• ​Navigating the law school application process, LSAT preparation, admissions essay approach (9:00)
• ​Choosing Yale: the decision-making & enrollment process (16:00)
• ​Life at Yale Law School: community and classroom culture (21:00)
• ​Exploring areas of law to pursue (24:45)
• ​Advice for fellow veteran applicants (27:00)

Additional Resources

• ​Taking Military Service to Law School with Alex Clark
• ​Navy to Yale Law School with Hillary Browning
• ​JD Admissions Support
• ​Ambassador sign up

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• ​Apple Podcasts
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• ​Service to School Website
• ​Sign up for Admissions Support
• ​Events Calendar
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• ​YouTube

Today we are joined on the podcast by S2S’s Graduate Program Director, John Jasionowicz. In addition to supporting veteran applicants, John is a recent MBA graduate of Vanderbilt University Owen, an Army veteran, Bass Military Scholar, and currently pursuing a PhD candidacy. Join us as John shares about his journey in academics, the differences between applying for an MBA and PhD, insights on using veterans benefits for grad school, and more.

Main Topics

• John’s background & intro (0:32)

• Decision to go back to grad school & what’s next after graduating with MBA (2:35)

• How process of applying to PhD program has differed from applying for MBA (4:30)

• Career goals after PhD (6:30)

• Importance of having a research topic & dissertation planned out prior to applying for PhD programs, longevity & commitment of a PhD program (8:10)

• Bass Military Scholarship program & other veterans benefits (13:05)

• Using benefits for PhD program, setting up for financial success for multiple degree programs (20:45)

• Favorite part of working with veteran applicants on the S2S Other Graduate team (22:05)

Additional Resources

• Bass Military Scholars Program

• Graduate Program admissions support

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

• Amazon Music

• Service to School Website

• Sign up for Admissions Support

• Events Calendar

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• YouTube