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Kyle’s Article
After five years of service, I decided that it was time to leave the military and pursue a career in medicine. The reason for leaving the military varies for each person; however, I can say, anecdotally speaking, many individuals hold a level of uncertainty and doubt when attempting to solidify their choice to discharge. For many, going back to school after serving years in the military can be incredibly daunting.…
Brown’s Romantic Curriculum
If you are in search of a romantic campus, consider applying to Brown. Veterans begin their journey in higher education for different reasons. I can’t speak for every veteran, but if you are a veteran searching for a romantic campus, consider applying to Brown because no academic programs are more romantic than the open curriculum. In a romantic relationship, we mature and learn about ourselves by inviting a stranger into…
Never Assume
One of my favorite teachers at the Lutheran elementary school I attended had a habit of repeating a specific phrase out loud when things didn’t go according to expectation: “Never assume.” It’s been burned into my memory, and now I repeat the same phrase out loud to myself. In my hometown of Hemet, California, there are streets named after many prestigious colleges. My favorite taqueria was, and still is, on…
My Intersectional Identity Amplifies My Imposter Syndrome
One of the beautiful things about being in a “small” university is you hear about a lot more events and opportunities outside of your major. If your university is elite, it’s more likely that these events are led by the “top” minds in the country, maybe even the world. One of the groups that resonate with me at MIT is the First-Generation/Low-Income community. Through this group, I was invited to…
Hot Wash: A Year After Separation
After serving in the military for over 10 years, I was ready for a change of pace. It would have been easier for me to stay another 10 years to retire, but I wanted a new challenge. Two weeks after I started terminal leave in January 2020, I attended a community college to complete prerequisites and transfer to a 4-year university. How hard can it be to transition from being…
War as Livelihood: Military Service as a Means of Socioeconomic Mobility via Higher Education
I am writing this essay with reference to literary works that I encountered—in the form of assigned readings—for a course I recently completed as a student at a prestigious university. How I came to be a student at this university is that I served in the United States military. I served in the military because it was my only means of opportunity for upward socioeconomic mobility. My current situation is,…
Start Small; Think Big
As you consider the path out of active duty and into the classroom, it can feel like an overwhelming sea of decisions to make. Where do I go? Where do I start? How do I know that school ABC will be the best fit for me? The answers to these questions will look different for everyone, and fortunately (and maybe for the first time in a while), the decision on…
Embracing Campus Culture Beyond the Generational Gap
In most situations, the individuals who are most successful usually find themselves involved in more than just their studies. It takes having a strong social circle and building relationships with friends who are sharing your journey. Like the military, attending a university is made much more worthwhile if moments and experiences are shared with those around you. This is not an easy accomplishment from the perspective of a student veteran,…
What I Wish I Could Have Told Myself Before Attending College: The Added Value of Seeking Consultation
The impetus for writing this article is to address the stigmas that I observed while serving as an enlisted soldier in the Army that I now deem as myopic. Moreover, it is a letter that addresses the evolution of my disposition as I have progressed throughout my collegiate career. When I left the military, I was the self-proclaimed sniper that could tackle anything. But what I wish I knew was…
Four Central Reasons Veterans Can Succeed at School
We all had different experiences in the military, and depending on our MOS, we all learned a different skill or a trade. It might not be obvious right away, but no matter what branch, the military taught each of us how to succeed. My success in school is not because I am book smart (my ASVAB score could prove that); it’s because I apply what I learned in the military…
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