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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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

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Today we are joined by Service to School applicant, Justin Cole. Justin is a veteran of the US Air Force, transfer student, and current student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Justin jumps right with us about how life experiences during his military service drove a passion that led him to higher education. We chat about transitioning to campus, adjusting to the change in academic rigor of MIT, leveraging connections for research & career opportunities, and much more!

Main Topics

• Justin’s background & intro (0:03)

• Managing high level of responsibility & expectations joining the Air Force right out of high school (4:20)

• Deployment to Japan inspiring future career ambitions, influence of passion to fight climate change on decision to separate from the military (6:22)

• Transition from the military & into academia, impacts of connecting with fellow service members during the admissions process (10:05)

• Taking classes at UCCS, college plans that were on the radar, exploring opportunities in desired career space (12:00)

• Approach to applying for transfer admission, joining campus as a spring semester transfer (15:15)

• Experience transitioning from UCCS to MIT, the classroom environment as a non-traditional student (17:05)

• Connecting with faculty about career interests leading to academic research opportunity (22:35)

• Funding college, leveraging the GI Bill & VR&E, exploring schools with need-blind admissions (27:40)

• Best parts of studying at MIT (30:05)

• Advice for fellow veterans pursuing passions & applying to competitive colleges (33:20)

Additional Resources

• S2S VetLink College Partners

• Khan Academy

• Warrior-Scholar Project

• Vocational Readiness & Education (VR&E)

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Today we are joined by Service to School veteran applicant, Liam Fangman. Liam is a US Air Force veteran, current MBA student at University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, and co-founder of Enlisted ExFil. Liam brings his experience in the military that led to his decision to pursue an MBA, preparing for admissions, navigating & prioritizing campus opportunities, a passion for giving back to fellow veterans, and more!

Main Topics

• Liam background & introduction (0:32)

• Transition from military to pursuing an MBA, career plans prior to applying to business school, deciding between consulting & tech (2:25)

• Preparing for MBA applications (5:40)

• First year of MBA program at Mendoza like, navigating the abundance of opportunities for MBA students (7:15)

• Balancing career recruiting with schools & life, intentionality & leveraging alumni community when navigating recruiting efforts (9:50)

• Approach for 2nd Year MBA & vast opportunities (13:15)

• Course/class highlights, experiential learning (16:35)

• Outside of the classroom, giving back to enlisted veterans & the founding of Enlisted ExFil (18:20)

Additional Resources

• Enlisted ExFil

• MBA Admissions Support

• Smart With a Heart by Sherpa Prep

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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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This week on the podcast we are diving into the medical school experience for veterans. We’re joined by Karyna Bravo, US Marine Corps veteran, first generation college student, current Physician Assistant (PA) student at Stanford Medical School, and 2024 Tillman Scholar. We discuss the benefits of shadowing providers in the admissions process, Post-Bacc program benefits, funding a medical education, and much more. If you’re a veteran considering medical school, you don’t want to miss this!

Main Topics

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

• Decision to leave the military & pursue college (2:55)

• Paying for undergraduate degree (4:50)

• Getting started in clinical psychology career (6:20)

• Decision to apply to PA programs (9:05)

• Finding & funding a Post-Bacc program, benefits of Post-Bacc & preparation for applying for medical school (10:20)

• Benefits of shadowing healthcare professionals before applying (13:00)

• Researching Physician Assistant (PA) programs & finding Stanford Med (15:00)

• Veterans in the PA program & the veteran community (16:05)

• Population of PA program & funding medical education through VocRehab (19:15)

• Best parts of PA school at Stanford (22:10)

• Long term career plans & advice for fellow veterans pursuing the medical field (23:30)

Additional Resources

• Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program

• FAFSA

• VR&E

• Healthcare Professionals Admissions Support

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