Since 2001, more than one million military veterans have been returning from Afghanistan and Iraq only to face high unemployment rates and a poor job outlook, so it’s no surprise that veterans are turning to higher education—including business school—when they return from military service.
Veteran applicants are highly sought in business schools, because the qualities that carry you through the military also make you successful in your business school education and career.
So follow our tips for getting into business school by presenting your military service application the right way.
Why business schools love veterans
1. Leadership … and more. Whatever your rank in the military, you’ve been a leader—and sometimes more importantly—a follower.
“Military candidates are already leaders, and they have had significant experiences in team building, leading under pressure, and performing in stressful situations.... These are invaluable skills in the MBA classroom and in post-MBA careers,” says Allison Jamison, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
2. Commitment. Business school is a major commitment, but if you’ve served in the military, you’ve already proven you’re the kind of person who can stick it through.
“I think that the attitude of service to something greater than yourself, and a true understanding of your priorities in life, allows veterans to be very focused and deliberate in their graduate education. Our military service members give up a lot to serve our country, so they value the choices and opportunities available to them in graduate school. They understand the value of the time and effort put into the graduate school experience, and maximize their experience,” explains Jamison.
3. Diversity. “The military is culturally diverse. In the military, you have to work together because you don’t have an option. You learn flexibility,” says Joanna Graham, Director of Field Marketing for the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), who also oversees the GMAC’s military outreach programs.
Business schools also value a diverse cohort that will engage and challenge in the classroom. “Veterans have the benefit of working within a diverse workforce in the military, and many also have cross-cultural experiences to bring with them as well. Fuqua’s MBA classroom is diverse and the ability to interact with and appreciate different perspectives is crucial,” adds Jamison.
4. Experience. Business schools prefer applicants with a few years of work experience.
“[Military members] learn how to lead on the fly, project manage on the fly, and in pressure situations. This gives them life experience that most typical candidates won’t see. Those experiences are very different. They’re different type of leadership skills, they’re real-life leadership skills,” says Graham.
5. Soft skills. “The best military candidates that we see in our applicant pool are experienced leaders, who have very strong interpersonal skills, are confident and able to think on their feet, which are tremendous assets in both an MBA admissions interview and the job search process as a student,” says Jamison.
6. You’ll get hired! Beyond business school, employers value the same skills.
“Military veterans are very creative, because they’re used to working in difficult circumstances and they’re good problem solvers. They are very resourceful and have a great work ethic,” says Christopher Perkins, Managing Director at Citi Institutional Clients Group who founded the Citi Military Veterans Network.
Citi’s military outreach program, Citi Salutes, has a dedicated recruiting effort specifically to help find jobs for transitioning military personnel. Other resources, like Veterans on Wall Street, facilitate career and business opportunities in the financial services industry.
How veterans can get down to business and get into business school
1. Showcase yourself. “The military is not about the ‘I’, it’s always about the team, it’s very much about the collective. You have to take ownership over what you accomplished as an individual and put metrics around it. You have to put a value on the contribution you made individually,” says Graham.
2. Tell all. Jamison says that veterans should “consider all aspects of their military and leadership experiences and consider the many transferrable skills they have developed in their military careers, such as budget and personnel management, delegation to and development of subordinates, cross cultural communications, etc.”
Your personal statement is your chance to highlight what you’ve learned in the military and tie it back to your plans for business school. Don’t shy away from your military experience, and tell a good story.
3. Cut out the jargon. There are many resources available to help you “translate” your resume and experience into civilian terms.
“It can be challenging to develop a resume, or explain a specific military-based scenario in an essay, so I would advise military applicants to have civilians with no military experience review their resume and essays to make sure it makes sense and will be meaningful to someone outside of the military community. And don’t assume that the admissions committee will know if a career path is typical or advanced—be sure to note when promotions were received ‘below the zone’ or indicate when a job was above your rank. Try to avoid acronyms and military-speak,” says Jamison.
4. Business school is school. If there is a significant time gap between your undergraduate education and your application to business school, you will need to demonstrate that you are ready for the academic rigor of a business school education. You will need to dominate the GMAT to show schools that your quantitative and critical thinking skills are sharp.
The good news according to Graham? “The advantage is that veterans are used to high pressure situations.”
5. Research, network, repeat. Start by researching military-friendly business schools and networking with fellow veterans who are also getting into business school. Many business schools have taken strides toward making their application and admission process military-friendly. From having a military preview weekend like the one at Fuqua, to having a veteran read through applications, to contributing to the Yellow Ribbon program, there are many resources available to you.
Are you a veteran pursuing an MBA? Tell us how you unlocked your good life. Share your thoughts in the comments below, on Facebook, and on Twitter using #kaplangoodlife. Or visit kaptest.com/unlock to read more from people like you who have succeeded in pursuing their dreams, and enter to win our $10,000 sweepstakes at the same time!
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