William & Mary named a military-friendly university

Military-friendly school William & Mary has once again been designated a military-friendly school. Here, members of the university's ROTC listen to an instructor at a shooting range. Photo by Spenser Fleming

Army fellows Fellows of the Major General James Wright Class of 2012 pose together after collecting their diplomas on August 25, 2012. This class was the first group of military personnel to complete the MGJW MBA program. Photo by Skip Rowland '83

ROTC training An instructor talks to an ROTC cadet at the shooting range. Photo by Spenser Fleming

Taking aim An ROTC cadet takes aim at the shooting range. Photo by Spenser Fleming

On target Cadets look at a target to see where their shots landed. Photo by Spenser Fleming

Military friendly Along with offering an ROTC program, William & Mary also offers numerous services for veteran and military students. Photo by Spenser Fleming

by Erin Zagursky | September 24, 2012

William & Mary has once again been designated a military-friendly university by G.I. Jobs magazine.

The university, the Mason School of Business and Richard Bland College are all included in the magazine’s fourth annual list of military-friendly schools, which “honors the top 15 percent of schools that are doing the most to embrace America's military students and ensure their success on campus.”

The list of approximately 1,700 schools is based on surveys sent to more than 12,000 colleges, universities and trade schools. The schools were evaluated in a variety of categories, including programs and policies, financial support and success in recruiting and retaining military and veteran students.

Members of W&M's Coast Guard Auxiliary detachment. William & Mary continues to provide support and services to its military and veteran students – even before they get to the university. The office of undergraduate admission and all of the graduate admission offices on campus offer application fee waivers to veterans. The College is also a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps veterans pay for tuition expenses greater than what is covered by Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

Veterans at William & Mary may also receive help with their VA benefits at the William & Mary Law School’s Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic. Another source of support for veterans on campus is student organization The Veterans Society of William & Mary, which organizes social and informational events as well as service activities.

Along with veterans, current members of the military may also be found on campus. This year, the Mason School of Business -- which has students from all branches of the military -- welcomed its second cohort of fellows into the Major General James Wright MBA program. All of the fellows are currently serving in the U.S. Army.

The campus also offers opportunities for students interested in joining the military, with an Army ROTC program and a Coast Guard Auxiliary detachment.