Arriving at Wharton after six years in the Army was a culture shock for me, to say the least. Life quickly shifted from OPORDs to exams, uniforms to athleisure, steady paycheck to zero income, following orders to charting a path, being saluted to being waved at.
After navigating the transition from the military to business school alongside friends and peers, and having supported dozens of veterans through this process, I’ve observed five ways to make your business school transition much smoother:
1. Memorialize your time in service.
Make a plan to commemorate the colossal chapter you’re leaving behind—on your terms, not the standard event your unit planned for you. Close out your time in service by reflecting on everything you’ve experienced, consider the learnings you want to bring into your next chapter, and even find gratitude for what you get to leave behind. You’ve invested a great deal of time in the military, and it’s important to honor that part of your story. It’s also important to process and close it out so that you can fully step into the next evolution of your journey.
For me, this commemoration took the form of a solo trip to Mongolia and involved lots of journaling. For others, it may be a family celebration or even a weekend spent out in nature. There’s no wrong way to do this—unless you’re ETSing on a Friday, rushing around all weekend, and heading to the first day of class on Monday. Every veteran who does this regrets it. Give yourself that intentional moment.
2. Define your short- and long-term goals.
The military likely laid out a straightforward professional path for you, but now you have the steering wheel. You should define your short- and long-term goals sooner rather than later, while staying flexible to opportunities that may arise with new information. Your MBA will open many doors for you, and you won’t know the full breadth of what’s available until you are in the thick of recruiting. To get a head start, before school begins, network with veterans who have transitioned to the MBA programs, industries, and/or companies you are most excited about, and find out how they view their civilian experiences through a veteran lens. Signing up for support from Service to School is a great way to get connected to the right folks. Find a school and an industry that syncs with your passions, strengths, and career goals so that you are always working toward your dreams.
Beyond your professional goals, consider your personal ones. Be intentional about how you’ll spend your newfound freedom—no one’s telling you how to spend your weekdays, weekends, and holidays anymore. Think about what you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t while you were in the service. This may be your first chance to align your personal goals with your personal time.
3. Research all available veteran benefits.
Some veterans are unaware of the multitude of grants and scholarship opportunities they are eligible for, and with good reason—it isn’t the easiest landscape to navigate and understand. Beyond the GI Bill, there’s the Yellow Ribbon Program, Veteran Readiness and Employment, school-specific scholarships, and many other financial aid programs.
Talk to your buddies who left the military to go back to school, and see how they funded it and what options they’ve heard about. You can also contact the financial aid offices of your target schools and ask to speak with their veteran benefits specialist to learn about their school’s specific offerings. As you continue researching, you’ll discover a wide disparity in the financial support across programs and learn which ones will be most relevant to you. Take note of any deadlines, exclusions, and caveats as you evaluate different options.
4. Prioritize your physical and mental health.
Having a healthy mind and body is critical to this new phase of your life. No one is forcing you to wake up for PT anymore; you get to decide how to exercise and take care of yourself. Also, don’t be alarmed when your classmates beg you to put them through a bootcamp-style workout; it’s novel to them and a great chance for you to be a positive ambassador for the service you came from. Not to mention it’s a great chance to bond with your new friends!
A strong mental game is equally important, as you will soon be challenged and stretched in ways different from your military time. This may be the first time in your life that you can slow down and process what you’ve been through. Nonprofits such as the Cohen Veterans Network offer free therapy to veterans in select cities, and you can access numerous resources for mental health support through your local Department of Veterans Affairs office.
5. Connect with other veterans.
Know that you aren’t navigating this journey alone. You’ll likely matriculate at a program with other veterans, some of whom might become your close friends. Each year, countless veterans struggle with the GMAT and worry about the financial burden of an MBA. Lean on one another as needed through your transitions and beyond.
One of my former clients told me they felt like an “alien” at business school until they had a vulnerable conversation with a fellow veteran over drinks one day and realized they were both experiencing the exact same feelings. Some elements of the veteran experience are universal and completely foreign to your civilian classmates. Investing in your veteran classmates—as well as your veteran friends in other MBA programs—will elevate your overall business school experience and provide you with a support system that truly understands. Together, you can share insights and help one another through the challenging times. One day, you’ll wake up and realize the transition doesn’t feel as overwhelming as it used to.
Transitioning to business school is a significant adjustment for nearly everyone, but it is especially pronounced among the veteran contingent. Just as you put in the work for the military and your MBA applications, put in the work for yourself during this in-between phase. Your older self will thank you for it.
If you’re looking for help in navigating the complex and competitive MBA application landscape, reach out to one of our counselors for a free 30-minute consultation. All of Stratus’s counselors have degrees from top MBA programs and would love to support you in your next phase in life.