Help a Veteran: How do I stack up?

Question

I know everyone is busy, so I'll try to keep this short... given the criteria below, what sorts of schools would be reasonable to apply to?


- Graduated High school in 1998, second to last in my class.
- ACT Composite score was 23.
- First college course ever taken was College Algebra in 1999, passed with a "D".
- Enlisted in the military in 2000.
- While in service, I took 9 hrs courses with 4.0 GPA.
- Maintained a 4.0 performance in every course I've taken since.
- Honorably discharged veteran as of last year at age 27.
- Now serving in the Reserves.
- Currently attending a liberal arts college in TX.
- Now entering 2nd semester of enrollment in my school's honors program.
- Now entering 2nd semester on the President's honor roll.
- I've now accumulated 38 credit hours with cumulative GPA of 3.72.
- I'll be re-taking College Algebra to replace that "D" with an "A".

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- I've served as vice president of School's philosophical society.
- Serving two semesters as Student Government Senator
- I'll be presenting a paper at an upcoming regional honors conference.
- I'm now looking at transfer options...
- and if it makes a difference, I'm a minority (hispanic)

I'm confident I could get glowing letters of recommendations, and my writing samples should be well above average. But with all this, I don't know if I would be reasonable to try to apply to even a few very competitive schools, given my complete background. Would I stand out favorably somehow? What sort of chance do I have?

Thank you all for your encouragement... I'm very sorry I cannot convey just how much this has touched me.

I should clarify. With respect to how many hours I've accumulated, I believe I read my most recent report incorrectly. The 9 I earned while in service, along with the 13 earned last Spring, along with the 3 from a summer course, and the 13 I just earned this fall would indeed make 38. I am planning on taking one more semester of courses, which would land me somewhere in the mid 50s. Many schools seem to not want students with more than 60 hrs under their belt.

I've decided I wish to pursue a PhD in philosophy and land a teaching position. I understand that grades are not everything, but in any humanities field, I understand they are essential to having a chance at doing what I would like to do. Of course, plans might change, but for now that's what I'm shooting for.... The school I attend now doesn't even have a philosophy program, much less a good one....

Answer 1

I'm a little confused as to whether you are looking to transfer after next semester (presumably with something like 53 units?) or whether you are looking at transferring after completing two years. It does make a difference. If you transferred with 53 units, they would still look at your high school record and ACT scores. If you were to be finishing a full two years, they only look at your college record. That would make you much more eligible to look at better quality schools.

Answer 2

I sense something isn't right here. As a veteran, with a bit more maturity than your peers at your current school, you will probably get better grades than they do. But, my problem is this: what do you want to study and learn? Where do you see this higher education helping you upon graduation? Better job, graduate school, or ??? You don't need to have all the answers right now since things will change every year you are in school.

Maybe my experience will help you here. Three years after discharge from the US Air Force, I had an opportunity to go to college with free room and board. I had little exposure and experience so I enrolled as a journalism major since I had been the Editor of our school newspaper my senior year. Two weeks before my college started, I was reading the program book and noted the combined degree "Applied Mathematics and Engineering Physics." It intrigued me and I read it again, and again. So I changed my major and went on to MS and PhD degrees in Physics. Point is: while grades are important and the school you attend is important, the bottom line is the opportunity to find what you want in life and then to pursue it.

Answer 3

I say apply, and put your entire college history down on the application. It's obvious that the military did you some good. Let that show on the application. And you've learned to apply yourself, and aim high. Why stop that now? Put in an app. or two at some of the "very competitive schools". What's the worst that can happen? They tell you "no", right? That leaves you no further behind than where you are now.

Aim for the stars, man!

Answer 4

I say apply. The worst that might happen is you don't get accepted. If you don't apply then you might always wonder "what if." In general, it looks like you have a pretty good academic history and plenty of extracuricular activites. You are also mature and have life experiences that show your dedication to an education. That always looks good. Go for it man and good luck!

Answer 5

Sounds a great resume and an impressive one! 27 is quite young to have accomplished as much as you have accomplished all ready.
However, you need to be tested to see what kind of a career would be best suited for your abilities. Seek out a career counselor as well as a clinical psychologist, and let the psychologist test you also. We all need help in understanding ourselves and the world we live it. Great question!

Answer 6

Go ahead, be the best that you can be and apply to all the schools you would like to go, and the choose the one you like best from the ones that accept you. plus you get a few extra point for serving in the military, sword of like affirmative action.

Answer 7

Daniel ,
Thank you for serving our country.
As young as you are , you seem to have found your niche.
If I were you , Id seek guidance at the school.
You are extremely on track and a credit to our veterans.
Get out there and be an advocate for veterans. (pls)
We need smart young men like you in society.
Thank you.

Answer 8

Go to TEXAS and apply for a minority scholarship with Texas A&M. You're a shoo-in....minority and VET. I read of a young man who applied for the same scholarship and was turned down. He was told it was for MINORITIES ONLY. Well, in Brownsville, Texas, he WAS a minority. He was of Norwegian/French ancestry. He got the scholarship.
By the way, THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!
SALUTE!
(USN, retired...65 - 85/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Answer 9

I don't know.. but I just wanted to say I commend you for what you have done. Sounds like you really changed your life in a big way by serving our country and thats awesome.

Thank you for what you've done and I wish you luck in wherever your life leads you next!!!

Answer 10

You look good on paper but you did not mention "Street Smarts". Education is necessary but you really need experience and you need to learn to "Read situations and people" to be successful. This is not taught in college. In fact it is totally absent.