I'm a Combat Cameraman in the Army and I've been documenting the War since we Surged into Iraq, back in March 03'. I was a part of the initial ground element, tasked with documenting troop movement and activities within theater. Then again in 04-05', 10'-11', and one last time: currently in Kuwait. I have extensive documentary shooting experience. Still, it isn't refined to the sharp edge I need as a future story teller. I feel more like a chuck of steel awaiting to be forged and tempered into a fine blade.
USC is my top choice but I'm realistic about cost of school+living then divided by expenses of shooting my own pieces. Seems like it's a great place to make connections and network, though! Syracuse, has a year in Prague program with the International Film and Television Academy, Columbia College's access to equipment and undergraduate student help is phenomenal, then DePaul is a new comer to the film school scene and has been making huge strides since 08' to be competitive. They all have strengths. I'm kicking myself in the ass though, I wish I applied to Chapman and FSU. Had I known UT@Austin required the GMAT I would have taken it before I deployed. I guess hindsight is 20/20 or depending on the level of sincerity: 20/100.
I'm sure you'll get in. You'll probably be in the 'rare experience' category that they need to balance out their usual fiction-focused class. You should have applied to NYU and Columbia too maybe? And Stanford's documentary program alongwith SVA's documentary program as well (in case you're interested in documentary filmmaking)?