Veterans Orientation

It is important to acknowledge that student veterans may not need the same school orientation program as other first year or transfer students. Many ACE Veteran Success Jam participants cited the success of veteran-specific orientations or breakout sessions during general orientations as significant recognition that the school or university understood some of their needs.

Online orientations, which can help veterans who may be in another location during the summer, are also effective strategies. And some schools have started offering academic pre-advising for student veterans who may not have received the necessary guidance or resources while transitioning out of the military. The goal of a veteran-only orientation is not to segregate veteran students, but to demonstrate the school’s understanding that the transition to academic life can be different for veterans than for the traditional student population.