Undergraduate Resources

To "Admission Accomplished" and beyond! Applicant advising is at the heart of what we do at S2S. Below is our guidance to help you provide the best advice and recommendations possible.

Can't find something? Have recommendations for other guidance information or tools? Let us know at s2s.ug@service2school.org.

VetLink Program

Overview:

Service to School has partnered with select colleges and universities to form VetLink, a network of schools committed to expanding access and opportunity for student veterans. Our partner colleges are widely known for academic excellence, aspiring students, leading-edge research, and high graduation rates.

Service to School works with our partner colleges to create awareness of how a veteran's military service has prepared them for success in academia. This one-of-a-kind collaboration between Service to School and our partner colleges unify the respective strengths of each to serve student veterans more effectively than either could alone.

When you receive a pairing request email from staff it will specify if the applicant is a VetLink Applicant and who their VetLink Staff Advisor is. However, if your applicant decides after they have on boarded that they are interested interested in applying to one or more of the following VetLink school please contact Jim Selbe at jimselbe@service2school.org.

VetLink Partner Schools:

The VetLink Addendum:

The Service to School VetLink Addendum is a demilitarized resume that is added to your applicant's college application as a means to translate their military experiences for members of the admissions committee. Admissions committees want to admit students who will be successful, who will contribute to the community, and whose success after graduation will reflect highly on the institution. Who better than veterans to arrive on campus, to do what is necessary to succeed in the classroom, to be part of the solution, and to have a positive and lasting impact on the community at large?

‌But how do veterans convince the committee members that they possess the desired attributes if the members have no understanding of how the military has prepared them for success? You do it by making it easy for them to truly value and understand what you bring to the table. A well-developed and thoughtfully constructed VetLink Addendum will demonstrate predictors of success while revealing authenticity, passion, and character.

Hear from six of our VetLink partners as they share why the VetLink Addendum is so important and how it helps them better understand you as a Veteran applicant.

‌Watch the VetLink Addendum Video

- VL Addendum Workshop Slides
- VetLink Addendum Template
- VetLink Addendum Examples

VetLink School Transfer Application Deadlines:

Applicant Guidebook

Welcome to Service to School!

Ambassador Guidebook

Welcome to Service to School

The Common App

Application Dictionary

Common App First-Year Application

Workshop Presentation

Workshop Recording

Common App Transfer Application

Workshop Presentation

Workshop Recording

2021-2022 Common App Essay PromptsIn crafting a new option, we relied on the expertise of counselors and admission officers on our Outreach and Application Advisory Committees, along with input from psychology and gratitude researchers.

Why college mattersCollege is about defying expectations, breaking the mold, and finding yourself. Learn why college matters and discover the value of going to college whether you're applying for the first time or transferring colleges to complete your degree.

Recorded webinars

The VetLink Addendum

The Service to School VetLink Addendum is a demilitarized resume that is added to your college application (through our VetLink Program) as a means to translate your military experiences for members of the admissions committee. But how do you convince the committee members that you possess the desired attributes if the members have no understanding of how the military has prepared you for success? You do it by making it easy for them to truly value and understand what you bring to the table. A well-developed and thoughtfully constructed VetLink Addendum will demonstrate predictors of success while revealing authenticity, passion, and character. Here from six of our VetLink partners as they share why the VetLink Addendum is so important and how it helps them better understand you as a Veteran applicant.

Watch the VetLink Addendum Video

The College Fit- Mythbusters

Deciding what colleges to apply to is a personal journey that starts with understanding what is most important to you. But misinformation can get in the way of creating a list that best fits you as an individual. Sydney Matthes, an expert in college admissions and Service to School Ambassador, dispels common myths and discusses the first steps to creating your college list.

Webinar Recording

Virtual Q & A- Warrior- Scholar Project & Service to School

Watch this virtual Q & A we had with our friends at Warrior-Scholar Project and our alums as they share their experiences of using BOTH veteran service organizations to help them gain admission to their dream school and how to successfully transition into the college classroom.

Webinar Recording

The College Essay

Are you having trouble writing the essay for your college applications? Then you don’t want to miss this webinar with our guest speaker Lisa Rielage. Lisa is a Navy Veteran, College Admissions Consultant, S2S Ambassador and is ready to tackle the college essay with you.

Webinar Recording

Women Veterans Panel

We joined forces with Brown University, Dartmouth College, Texas A & M University and Smith College for a panel discussion on the experiences of women veterans on college campuses. Representatives from each institution were joined by current women student veterans to share their experiences transitioning from the military to higher education. Prospective student veterans and educators are encouraged to attend.

Webinar Recording

The College Search & Your Career

Listen to our conversation with veterans from Amherst College, Pomona College and Williams College as we discussed how the Liberal Arts leads to success in Law, Medicine and Business. This is a fantastic opportunity for prospective veteran students to gain insight into colleges that will best support their long term professional goals.

Webinar Recording

Career Preparation & the Liberal Arts

We linked up with the admissions teams from Bowdoin, Carleton, and Swarthmore to share how liberal arts colleges support internships, hiring, networking, and career planning, and what it all means for you.

Webinar Recording

Financial Aid 101

Financial Aid for Veterans: Check out our Financial Aid 101 Webinar with Amherst College, Pomona College, and Williams College as we busted all the myths surrounding financial aid, Yellow Ribbon Program, Post 9/11 GI Bill, and discussed how to make the best fiscal decisions for your education.

Webinar Recording

The College Fit Factor: Public Universities

We joined forces with Arizona State University, Texas A & M University, and University of Michigan to discuss how to determine which college is the right fit for you. If you are interested in learning more about public universities then check this out!

Webinar Recording

Test Optional Webinar

Hear from admissions officers at University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, and Carleton College as we discussed the impact COVID-19 had on the admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.

Webinar Recording