Top Mistakes Veterans Make

After several years of working with veterans trying to win admission, I’ve seen a few common themes emerge across applications.  Here, I highlight some of the typical mistakes veterans make.  Ultimately, I have found that many vets do not allow themselves enough time to put together their best admissions packet, they do not have a clear vision of their future, and they do not communicate effectively.  The root cause of each of these mistakes is easily recognizable and, for the most part, easily remedied.

1) Applications are too rushed

Veterans do not give themselves enough time.  When they decide to leave the service, most active duty soldiers and officers have been promoted a few times and have a very important and demanding duty position.  It is very difficult to manage both the grueling applications process and demands of leading soldiers or planning operations.  Even more difficult, many veterans find themselves trying to apply to schools from Iraq or Afghanistan or trying to apply right after returning from such a deployment.

In balancing these demands, transitioning veterans find themselves on very tight timelines and try to mitigate their situation by working on applications for an hour a night or on weekends.  This can work, but any snag, such as a low test score, can wreak havoc on an admissions packet.  Further, veterans are often competing against folks who treat school applications as a full time job.

The Solution:  Preferably, a veteran can steer their career into a less demanding job such as being an ROTC instructor or working as an active component supporting the Army Reserve.  Since such jobs are often difficult to get, and the operational tempo of many active units do not allow for such planning, the best solution is to plan alternatives:

• Cast a wide net for schools – if a veteran is determined to  leave the service, then they need to make sure to apply to more than just one or two top schools.
• Plan for testing snags – Of course veterans always ace standardize tests, right?  But if they do not, vets need to make sure to plan for multiple takings of any standardized tests and for the ability to take an online or in person test taking class (like Kaplan)
• War-game worst case scenarios – If the worst happens, a  veteran should still have a plan.  There are other options to school such as  Teach for America, going into industry, or just staying in the service another year.  In the unlikely event a veteran does not win admission – they should know what route they can take to make themselves more competitive for the next cycle.

2) Future goals are a little fuzzy

As a boy I clearly remember wanting to be a ninja.  I was an analytical 8 year old, so I assumed that once I came of age I would go to a ninja academy for training, learn how to backflip, then go off on ninja-activities.  Then I read a comic book that shattered my vision.  In the story a far more immature 8 year old was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up.  The 8 year old replied with enthusiasm “A cowboy-ninja!”  I dismissively thought “How ludicrous!”  Then, insight descended, and I realized my own dream of ninja-hood was equally as silly.

Similarly, veterans do not always have the most realistic career goals.Their vision of the future is unclear and often reveals a lack of understanding of what a degree can do for them.  It is perfectly fine if a veteran wants to be a non-profit governmental consultant making millions but they must do some research.

The Solution:  Vets should look at the companies that are doing what they want to do, look at the people at those companies, and look at how those employees got there.  Also, veterans should think about their skills and talents and what motivates them.  Find a fit between skill, talent, motivation, and the real world job market and nothing will stand in a vet’s way.

3) Veterans cannot find their voice

What makes a veteran a strong candidate?  Military MBA lists a few good reasons here, but I think it is boils down to leadership and life experience.  No one else at business school (or law school or undergraduate study) is going to have the leadership, maturity, teamwork skills, or general get-the-mission-accomplished attitude of our veterans.  Unfortunately, veterans do not always know what they bring to the table, and, even with they do, they do not know how to tell their story.

The Solution:  Veterans should be introspective about what they have accomplished and how that translates to their future endeavors.  In other words:

• Avoid jargon – This is simple but still important.  Not everyone knows what an IED is, but roadside bomb or enemy explosive are synonyms that are easier for civilians to understand.  Further, not everyone knows the difference between a lieutenant, captain, or major.  If a veteran is a lieutenant doing a major’s job, then that veteran must explain they are working at a level much higher than normally expected.
• Develop a value proposition – Veterans should think about the value they bring to the table and try to develop a brief statement that encapsulates the thought.  For example, “As a veteran I can bring proven leadership and a unique ability to solve problems in adverse conditions to xyz school.”  Thinking of a succinct, encapsulating value statement will help vets tell their story more powerfully.
• Be proud of accomplishments – As the writer Paulo Coelho has  said, “Modesty is the ultimate manifestation of pride.”  Veterans lead teams that accomplish great things, and they need to take credit for it.  While it is admirable to be humble, in an application a veteran needs to upfront about what they have done and how strong a candidate they are.

Our veterans have proven themselves to be leaders that can handle the toughest challenges war can bring.  Now, facing the new and in some ways more daunting challenge of transitioning to civilian life they should think about how to avoid the common mistakes of not allowing enough time, not making solid long term goals, and not telling their story.