Today’s episode explores the student veteran campus experience at the University of Notre Dame. We sat down with the Director & Assistant Director respectively in the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs,Ken Heckel & Michael Labbe, as well as Undergraduate Admissions Counselor, Montanna Kirven, and current ND senior, John Noonan. We chat about the admissions process at Notre Dame, firsthand experiences of veterans on campus, the financial investment of attending college, and more! This interview is filled with deep insights from higher education professionals & a student veteran and a great listen for prospective undergraduate students.
Main Topics
Notre Dame guest backgrounds & introductions (0:33)
Admissions process at Notre Dame, distinction between first year & transfer applicants & what veterans should know about each (2:10)
Can/will admissions shift applications that should be the other type (ie. applicant applies as a transfer student but they should be considered a first year) (6:50)
Courses that admissions office likes to see transfer applicants take & display in their application (8:50)
Admissions preparations while serving in the Navy, experience applying to Notre Dame (10:50)
Unique skills veterans have that allow them to succeed on campus (14:07)
Veteran experience working at Notre Dame while attending as a graduate student (17:10)
Student veteran experience on residential campus, Naval ROTC course & engaging with earlier undergraduate students considering military experience (21:40)
Different colleges at Notre Dame & where veterans tend to gravitate toward (26:45)
Financial costs of attending college & financial aid benefits available to veterans & service members (31:55)
Peer-to-peer sponsorship program coming to campus, host family program providing support & welcome military-connected students into the Notre Dame community (39:10)
Quintessential Notre Dame experience upon stepping onto campus (47:10)
Additional Resources
Notre Dame Office of Military & Veterans Affairs Programs
Notre Dame admissions requirements
Keough School of Global Affairs
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