As a teenager, James Goins left civilian life to enter the Air Force, in a decision that meant forgoing attending college. But as he prepares to leave the military next year, Goins, 24, has his mind set on getting into the Ivy League.

To help prepare him for the transition from GI to college student, he and 14 other active duty personnel or veterans looking to readjust to civilian life have spent a week at Princeton University taking an immersive one-week course exposing them to college life and the rigors that go with it.