Can military exemptions hold my college application process?

Hi, I'm a high school junior potentially heading into the military before college and I'm curious if the military exemption can create a 'verify hold' on my college admission process. Can anyone shed some light on this?

The short answer to your question is: it depends on the institution and their policies.

The concept of a 'verify hold' typically refers to a pause placed on certain activities or requests due to outstanding requirements, such as missing documents or unfulfilled obligations. In the college admission context, it might mean that until all required information (like transcripts or test scores) are submitted and verified, some aspects of your application may be paused.

Now, when you mention military exemption, I'm assuming you refer to deferring your admission to serve in the military. If this is the case, many colleges do indeed have policies that allow students to defer their admission for one or two years for various reasons, including military service. This means you can be accepted into a college, then request to have your start date deferred. It's recommended to check the specific deferment policies of the colleges you're interested in, as policies can vary.

However, this deferral shouldn't place a 'verify hold' on your application in the traditional sense. Once you're accepted into the college and receive the deferment, your admission is typically guaranteed for the deferred enrollment date (though some conditions usually apply, such as not attending another college in the meantime).

Bottom line, if you're considering military service before attending college, make sure you clearly communicate with your prospective colleges about your plans and understand their policies. If you clarify you plan to enlist prior to enrolling, the colleges you apply to will help you navigate their specific processes.