Jonathan T.
Tell us about yourself, Jonathan!
What is your anticipated school and intended major? Political Science at Boston College, class of 2028
What did you do in the military? Munitions Systems Technician (2W031 ) in the US Air Force
Fun fact about yourself: I speak 3 languages! (Currently learning the 4th)
Tell us about your experience applying to college. My college-application journey kicked off while I was still on active duty overseas. Because I hadn’t earned great grades my first time in school before my service, diving back in felt nerve-wracking. But with S2S in my corner, I made it happen! I missed out on my dream school at first, so I knocked out a semester elsewhere, kept working with my ambassador, reapplied the next semester—and got the yes from Boston College!
What was the biggest benefit to using Service to School throughout the application process? It’s hard to pick just one benefit, but the VetLink Addendum is right at the top of my list. Working with my ambassador and counselor to translate my Air Force accomplishments into clear civilian language really improved my application and helped admissions see the full value of my experience.
How was peer-to-peer mentorship helped you in your journey to higher education? Peer-to-peer mentorship was a game-changer! My ambassador was patient, laser-focused, and knew the application process inside out. Together we built a step-by-step game plan for every school on my list—networking contacts, essay edits, you name it. I’d hands-down recommend the peer-to-peer program to any veteran aiming for college. Having someone who’s already walked the path makes all the difference!
What are you most excited about in regards to starting school? What’s your favorite part about the school you chose to matriculate at? The thing I am most excited about Boston College is being part of a community that fosters camaraderie and a sense of belonging for their students. All throughout my application, fellow student-veterans went out of their way to make me feel at home, and that support sealed the deal for me. I can't wait to pay it forward and welcome the next wave of vets!
What are your goals post-graduation? Right now I’m torn between two awesome next steps: diving straight into the U.S. Foreign Service as a career diplomat or heading to law school to sharpen my legal & policy chops first. Either way, the goal stays the same—serve America on the world stage and make a real impact!
Jonathan’s advice for veterans who are applying to college:
Start the process as early as you can! No matter how much prep you’ve done, there’s always more to tackle. If—like me—you had a rough first go at college, remember that even with stellar military experience, schools still want proof you can excel academically. Use any time you have left to take a class or two and ace them. If that’s not feasible, no worries—spend a semester or two at another school, rack up strong grades, and reapply. That’s what I did, and it paid off!
Congrats again Jonathan on your acceptance to Boston College!
