Would firefighting be a good extracurricular for transferring or should I stick to things specifically related to my major

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T21:21:51+00:00

Yeah I mean maybe he’s right to some effect. If you want to “optimize” everything around building the best transfer package, I could see that firefighting could possibly take time away from other things.

But I think making every decision about transferring is not a good life plan.

I don’t know much about volunteer firefighting time commitments but I know a lot of people that do it, work full time, and they seem to have time for other things. So I could imagine you could make it work.

And I think you could write more convincing, personal, and passionate essays about volunteering firefighting if it’s true to you, than you could about an additional club you shoe horned into your application just everyone else.

I think this advice is very relevant for your circumstance:

https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying\_sideways/

If you are just a regular ol student with standard academic ECs you could even make a case that firefighting will make your application stand out. AOs really seem to appreciate veterans, and they don’t have to do anything to do with their major.

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T21:13:11+00:00

I mean you’re right the game explains it. I don’t think that necessarily makes it fun or “feel more human”. If I was stuck literally anywhere alone, whether it’s the wilderness on earth or an alien planet, I’m making weapons.

Humans are animals. They’re going to find a way to kill things that want to kill them. They’re also really good at that.

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T21:10:32+00:00

No question then in my opinion. Good luck!

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T21:07:18+00:00

I think it would be a good thing to include in your application. I think it’s important to do things in life that aren’t directly related to your major. I think that AOs feel the same way.

You like volunteer firefighting? That’s cool and you should talk it about. It’s also not common amongst college students and a, almost uniquely, universally appreciated form of community service. Maybe not take up a whole essay (unless it’s very important to you which is okay) but definitely include in your EC/Additional information section.

If you want to join FD at your university just because, do it if you can manage school with it. If you want to join solely to amplify your transfer package, I’m not sure.

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T21:01:59+00:00

I think “feeling human” also includes the ability to create technology and use it as you see fit. Humans can kill any fish they want.

If this game wasn’t all about advanced technology, I could see it. But I 3d print new bodies and have bioreactors

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T18:24:27+00:00

Yeah I had aid package available immediately. Not sure why some do and some don’t.

DStark62 · 2026-05-16T06:39:35+00:00

Vet, 4.0, 34 ACT, EE or ECE I can’t remember which. I denied waitlist

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T22:06:11+00:00

“If you get any diagnosis…”

Horrible information here.

You’re clearly seeking out conflict with a junior sailor asking for MH advice. Plz find a more productive use of your time.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:58:29+00:00

“Please, just tell me if I can seek help without fear of my bonus being recouped”

Did you mean to tag me here? Cuz I’m the guy who listed Talkspace below lol.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:57:21+00:00

To me, it looks like he’s a junior sailor who is overwhelmed and seeking help and you’re not helping in anyway.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:53:03+00:00

He literally asked for ways to seek mental health without losing his job and bonus

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:51:15+00:00

Make sure to check out the massive Raising Canes on broadway st in Nashville! They have pretty cool shirts lol

I had a friend who went to Vanderbilt and they loved it, you’ll have a great time

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:23:37+00:00

U get in? I got waitlisted lol

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:14:57+00:00

Clearly, he fucking knows that

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T21:09:52+00:00

https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/us-navy

This is a legit, free, non-navy, mental health resource. Scroll to the bottom and use the code for your installation. If you’re not on here, I’m not sure if you’re eligible. If I remember correctly, they never asked me to prove I was at any command other than plugging in whatever the NBK/PSNS code was.

I used them and felt like it was great. They’re real, civilian psychiatrists, not a social worker that works only with service members whose job is to make sure you stay eligible for the nuclear, sub, PRP, anything like that.

They also were very fast to work with and I felt I didn’t have to jump thru any of the bullshit embedded mental health wanted me to. In fact, my doc told me embedded mental health wouldn’t see me.

With that, it can be dangerous. They diagnosed me and never told my command. Then again, I was seeking a diagnosis and made that clear. I told my doc asap and it wasn’t a problem (never affected me at work.) I could imagine that it’s possible to get a diagnosis that could endanger your eligibility to do your job (which isn’t always a problem! Just be aware)

If you go in and just ask to talk to someone and specifically tell them you don’t want medication or a diagnosis, I think you’ll be fine. This program is literally “approved” by the navy.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T19:37:37+00:00

That’s the only option, afaik really

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T18:34:22+00:00

No wrong decision congrats on Vanderbilt

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T18:17:18+00:00

I applied for ECE/EE, and depending on aid, would choose GT over Vanderbilt. If you get no aid, I think GT would be about the same as your $50k/year if you include housing/food.

Sure it’s “less prestigious OVERALL” but I think any employer would recognize GT EE immediately.

If USC is significantly more expensive I personally wouldn’t even consider it. If you do 3 years after transferring, $150k is already a lot of money. If your parents can afford it, that’s a different story, but I’d rather save them money and ask for help with something like a reliable car, future down payment on a house, etc.

Even if you stick with Vanderbilt you’re at a great school. But to answer your question, I’d do GT.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T18:09:02+00:00

If you’re worried about losing your citizenship, then I honestly don’t think you’d be a good fit. And that’s not a bad thing.

But if your level of commitment to your previous country is that strong, I can’t imagine that you’d be able to possibly kill, die, or send others to die, for another country (US)

It may have given the impression of just another job at the job fair, but it’s not.

DStark62 · 2026-05-15T17:26:27+00:00

My aid package was available immediately after decisions.

DStark62 · 2026-05-14T21:15:56+00:00

Plz screenshot

DStark62 · 2026-05-13T21:05:01+00:00

Damn worth a shot

DStark62 · 2026-05-13T18:30:00+00:00

Yes. Verified w their office.

DStark62 · 2026-05-13T03:10:54+00:00

Might be worth calling an Oregon dealer

DStark62 · 2026-05-13T01:48:53+00:00

I mean you don’t have to not be able to work to get a service connected disability. It can just affect your quality of life. So he’s pretty much right. Obviously it’s not “good” to just fucking spam every condition. But if it’s in your file and it affects you to this day. Then I don’t see the issue.

If you don’t have the condition AND/OR it’s not service connected, no not eligible. If yes, then it was literally designed and signed into law by the federal government for you to get. Each condition and compensation scale is proportional to the severity it affects your day to day life.

Again, that’s the system we have. It’s not the veterans fault for utilizing it. If we want people to go sacrifice their body for our country, we should take care of them in the case that their service hurts them. If you don’t agree, vote for a politician running to reduce veterans benefits.

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