Rolling from Army Diesel Mechanic to Princeton University with Taehwan Kim

Today we are joined by Service to School veteran applicant, Taehwan Kim. Tae is a veteran of the US Army, international and first generation college student, and most recently admitted student at Princeton University. Tae brings a unique perspective to the conversation as we discuss how a desire for financial education and stability while living in a new country away from home led to joining the military and applying to top schools as a community college transfer, ultimately being accepted to his dream school of Princeton.

Main Topics

• Tae’s introduction & background (0:25)
• Adjusting to U.S. culture, starting school in Minnesota, and transitioning to the Army (4:18)
• Working as a diesel mechanic in the Army, decision to transition from military & apply to college (7:40)
• Unique experience with a pipeline to the Army for foreign students to enlist, leveraging community college prior to enlistment (10:08)
• Decision to pursue economics in college, drive for financial security (13:41)
• Finding Service to School & building out a college list, making the connection with an S2S Ambassador & the benefits of peer-to-peer mentorship (17:25)
• Academic boost in confidence to aim higher & apply to more college (20:08)
• Celebrating acceptance letters & evaluating admissions packages, ultimate decision to attend Princeton University (21:46)
• Experience sharing the acceptance news with family & friends (24:59)
• Sharing veteran experiences & role in helping to shape the application process for future veterans on the Common App Student Advisory Board (28:08)
• Advice for enlisted service members considering college (29:08)
• Most excited about starting at Princeton (30:33)

Additional Resources

• Warrior Scholar Project
• Common App 
• Evaluating College Fit

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