DOBSON — For the second year in a row, Surry Community College has been named a military friendly school by G.I. Jobs, a magazine aimed at military personnel transitioning into civilian life.

In its effort to help student veterans find the right school, G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans for the first time. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews from current students, according to a statement released by the school. Service members and veterans can also meet individual student veterans from the various schools virtually on the site to learn more about personal school decisions and the transition from the military to an academic environment.

“The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience. Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans,” said Michael Dakduk, executive director for the Student Veterans of America.

“The positive relationships we have with our veterans help us earn that award,” said Jamie Childress, vice president of student development. “That’s the type of learning environment our veterans are seeking. They want to go somewhere that is welcoming to them and any particular needs they have.”

The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience. These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served.

“We help around 100 veterans a year. We disburse about half-a-million dollars to those students,” said Childress. “The fact that we’re military friendly in giving that funding helps us win that award.”

The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

The newly redesigned Web site, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans with their school decisions. The site has been updated with the 2012 list. A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.