Why did you choose your college?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:15:45 -0400

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 27 at 2015 7:16 AM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:16:58 -0400

I chose my college because of the location and the program's it had to offer. Also, the advisors were great in helping me get all ready to go!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 27 at 2015 7:18 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:18:49 -0400

I attended UNCW ... primarily because of its proximity to Camp Lejeune.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 7:20 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:20:14 -0400

Well, the letter from the Air Force said you have been accepted you are going to Arizona State Univ. And, since they were paying the bills ........

Response by PVT Angelo Velez made May 27 at 2015 7:46 AM

PVT Angelo Velez — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:46:23 -0400

For me just graduating high school this Friday. I can't think of kids my age that are not going to college. We need a college degree and our parents want us to go and I want to go. If I didn't go to college, I would of chosen active duty and not national guard.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 8:51 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:51:15 -0400

Reed College for undergrad because I liked the philosophy of the school (teaching broadly) and Rice University for grad school because the housing in Houston is cheap and I could afford an apartment on grad student pay.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made May 27 at 2015 8:54 AM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:54:47 -0400

I went to school just as the Vietnam war was winding down (or was it the Civil War - I forget). My parents said I could apply to any school I wanted but they would only pay for VMI - that limited my range of options severely. So one could say I didn't choose my school.

I've since picked others.....

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 27 at 2015 8:59 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:59:56 -0400

It is a regionally accredited state college that is extremely military friendly and was within the MilTA cap per credit.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:01 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:01:57 -0400

Because it was near my home of record and I didn't know any better. Do-overs, I probably would have gone to Clemson or something for the forrestry program. Really, anywhere but where I did. I didn't learn that the job I wanted needed a VERY specific degree, not just a general biology degree. Oh well, lessons I can (hopefully) pass on to my kids.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:06 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:06:29 -0400

At the time my husband was a DS at FLW. There was only a few options to pick from... I picked Columbia College. They had both a History and Psychology. I was dual majoring to become a psychohistorian- researching the psychological motivations of historical events. I loved that college... It was small classed. mostly military and veterans.

Response by SGT David T. made May 27 at 2015 9:27 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:27:56 -0400

My Bachelors program was simply a matter of convenience as the school was located in the town I lived in. My masters was based on the program, it being online and cost. My PhD program is based on the program and how that aligned with my career goals.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 27 at 2015 9:41 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:41:11 -0400

Close to home.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made May 27 at 2015 10:25 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:25:10 -0400

For my career field, physical therapy, one has to compete for acceptance into a college program. If memory serves me correct there were over 600 students invited to a one day campus visit at UT-Memphis for interviews, GPA and records review. Of those 600 invited students, 60 were accepted of which I was one and I accepted their invite.

I also interviewed at Georgia State where 1000 students were invited and over a day we had 3 interviews, write a paper about the Bosnian war, GPA and records review, and I was also accepted here out of 42 students.

Lastly I also interviewed for an American physical therapy startup program in Amsterdam and again I was accepted into a small class of 36.

It is unusual for a physical therapy student to get accepted to so many schools the same year, but it goes to show just how competitive one has to be in a professional program. I was willing to go anywhere as long as the program was rated high with passing licensure boards.

As for my doctorate it was more of a concern with attending college and still being on active duty with potential PCS moves. Fortunately there was a college nearby, AT Still University, that offered exactly what I was looking for and had graduated several military PTs from their program before me. It worked out well in the end.

Many people choose a college for a variety of reasons, I wish you well in your pursuit.

Response by MSG Martin C. made May 27 at 2015 4:01 PM

MSG Martin C. — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:01:11 -0400

I opted for Excelsior (Bachelors) based on their liberal arts program in management. I am with Liberty for my Masters because their human services programs are respected and their theological teachings align with my personal beliefs. The tuition for their Masters is also the same as their Bachelors which works perfect with TA, no out of pocket expenses besides rental books.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made May 27 at 2015 4:04 PM

LTC Mark Beattie — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:04:31 -0400

I was offered an full scholarship to play football, had no other means to fund my education, so accepted the offer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 9:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:39:20 -0400

Because Uncle Sugar's School of Hard Knocks is pretty tough. Or at least it was when camoflague wasn't digital.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made May 29 at 2015 9:59 AM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:59:57 -0400

For my undergraduate I chose my college because it is affiliated with the Church I went to (Linfield College, Oregon).

For my Master's it was because the tuition was cheaper than in state tuition at a State University and it was started by a retired Colonel for veterans and service members. At the time I was trying to get back in the service (in vain) and wanted a college with a flexible schedule (American Military University).

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 29 at 2015 11:02 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:02:44 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I chose Auburn University because it's a family tradition and I never planned to go to any other school. I can't even name all the folks in my family that went there! I received an excellent education, the campus is beautiful, and the university continues to improve its standing from all perspectives annually!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 29 at 2015 11:11 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:11:44 -0400

University of Arizona - home town and it was a Land Grant University - I could afford it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 6:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 18:01:58 -0400

My undergrad and Masters were primarily based on the the programs offered and if the school accepted TA and TA rates. My doctorate program based solely on the program the college offered and the reputation of the college. I do plan on attending college when I exit out of the military. Location, proximity, costs, and reputation are going to play a major part in my decision-making process.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 6:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:58:34 -0400

I wanted an online college with a good reputation and everyone I knew had a bad taste for CTC. Phoenix didn't have a reputation but AMU had a great one from what I heard and read.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 7:00 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:00:00 -0400

Easy. The Air Force said I was going there. AND they paid for it.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 6 at 2017 8:24 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:24:33 -0400

I could have gone anywhere
But I could afford Temple

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 9:36 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:36:11 -0400

Riverside City College because that was where my police academy was run through. American Military University for my Bachelors because I liked their course offerings and format (and very military friendly). Finally, National University San Diego for my Masters because their program in Forensic Science was highly recommended.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 6 at 2017 10:00 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 22:00:54 -0400

I was reckless as a teen. No trouble with the law, just trying hard to win the Darwin Award by "adventure". My father sat down with me at the end of my Sophomore year in High School and told me that unlike my older brother and sister, he had serious doubts that I would live to be 25. Because of those concerns, he would not pay for my college until I had "proven" that I was not a "dead man walking." So I talked to a Navy recruiter.

I always had good grades and a fairly impressive resume in sports, extracurriculars, and community organizations. Next thing I know a Navy "Blue and Gold" officer is helping me fill out applications for NROTC and USNA then similar assistance arrived for USMA, and USAFA. I was accepted at USNA and several other Universities. I knew I was going to need a disciplined environment. USNA just seemed like the best fit to me.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Jul 7 at 2017 6:59 AM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 06:59:48 -0400

Norwich because I wanted to get a real education!! Actually I am always reminded of a comment by George Catlett Marshall, Jr. the U.S. Army Chief of Staff during World War Two “I need an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player!”

Response by LT Brad McInnis made May 20 at 2020 2:40 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 20 May 2020 14:40:21 -0400

It was free... sort of !!! USNA '97

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2021 7:57 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 19:57:41 -0400

Locale and access. CONUS/OCONUS.