VMI Class of 2028

[ArmyROTCApplicant]

I have a son who is a current rat at VMI. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Oh yea! I do have one question. What did your son choose for his science and language preference. I'm debating between biology and chemistry. Along with Chinese and Arabic right now. Also, I might be going with one of my friends to the open house. Can you request to be with a roommate?

 

[beelarr]

Oh yea! I do have one question. What did your son choose for his science and language preference. I'm debating between biology and chemistry. Along with Chinese and Arabic right now. Also, I might be going with one of my friends to the open house. Can you request to be with a roommate?

He started as a Bio major and changed the first week of classes to Comp Science. He was going back and forth right up until classes started. You should reach out to Dr. Wade Bell in the biology department. He was so helpful and straight forward. I don't think my son has to do any languages, but I'll ask the next time we talk.

 

[JunkJack101]

Yep! I plan to go to their Open House in March. Can't wait to experience the school in person! Does anyone know the difference between a cadet guided tour and VMI's open house? Is there any information or experience that one has that the other does not?

I believe the tour is just that, a tour. Going around, seeing the campus, not much else. Open House is real great though, absolutely recommend it- it's what sealed the deal for me. You spend more than a day on campus, and get a full tour. Better yet, you get to hear some rats talk about their experience, eat the same food the cadets get to eat, see a parade, do Q&A with the heads of the ROTC departments, go mess around in the gym, and, of course, spend a night with the rats (by far the highlight of the trip).

 

[ArmyROTCApplicant]

@ArmyROTCApplicant - keep in mind that any tour is going to give you just a small glimpse of what life is really like as a cadet. It's going to be a challenge, but it that is what you are looking for it is the right place.

Do yourself a favor if you decide to go and truly give it your all. It's going to be tough and there will be many times you are going to fill like quitting or wish you never started in the first place. There will be a few cadets who try to skate by and maybe get an "injury" when the going gets tough. Definitely report a real injury if it happens, but don't be the person who is trying to take the easy way out or not giving your best. Cadre will see that and even if you are not the leader of the pack they will see who is really busting their butt trying and who is trying to skate by.

Best of luck to you.

Yea, I'm used to fighting through injuries haha. I'm a cross country and distance track athlete and I don't think I have been injury free for months now. That being said, I am still very nervous about going through the Ratline, I really want to succeed at VMI but the nerves are already setting in! Trying my best to prepare but don't think it'll ever be enough .

 

[ArmyROTCApplicant]

Oh and I also have another point that worries me in terms of balancing the Ratline and academics. I have read that it is very common for one's gpa to drop for their first year at VMI. So any information that could help through that process would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KPAlaska]

I'm a VMI grad and my DS has been accepted to VMI, no need for a visit as I've "briefed" him on the Old Corp! My DS is in the waiting game for the SA's.

 

[RBI90VMI]

Oh and I also have another point that worries me in terms of balancing the Ratline and academics. I have read that it is very common for one's gpa to drop for their first year at VMI. So any information that could help through that process would be greatly appreciated!

In addition to being an alum and also having a DS currently in the Corps, I'm also on the VMI Parent's Council. The one bit of advice to to all matriculants is to stay on top of your studies. Keeping up your GPA makes dealing with everything else up on the hill bearable.

Time management is crucial as well as the discipline to make yourself study when you're exhausted from the day's rat activities.

 

[vmi1991fromva]

Rat classes are mostly intro. Your third class (sophomore) year is often called the academic ratline because you start taking core major/harder classes. RBI90VMI is correct about balancing the ratline and academics, but you have a real opportunity to get a solid GPA your first year that will give you some wiggle room when the classes get harder. The rats that tank in academics either go overboard with ratline duties or they are overwhelmed by both academics and the ratline (doomed from the start). The rats that prioritize academics but pay proper attention to rat responsibilities do the best. You want to standout academically but blend in with the ratline.

 

[MrMe]

Received an appointment to VMI, waiting to hear back from NROTC MO scholarship. Out of state. Applied to all 3 major service academies and am waiting to hear back before I make a decision.

 

[ArmyROTCApplicant]

Hey everyone! I'm currently in town about to attend VMI's Open house tomorrow. I'm wondering if anyone else on this thread is planning to go!

 

[ArmyROTCApplicant]

Hey everyone! I'm currently in town about to attend VMI's Open house tomorrow. I'm wondering if anyone else on this thread is planning to go!

During my tour I also learned about the various committees of VMI. However, I am still a bit confused about the role of The Officer of the Guard Association and the General Committee. If anyone could give me the details that would help a lot! I'm almost 100% sure I want to go to VMI, just waiting on the ROTC scholarship!

 

[VMI2017+3]

During my tour I also learned about the various committees of VMI. However, I am still a bit confused about the role of The Officer of the Guard Association and the General Committee. If anyone could give me the details that would help a lot! I'm almost 100% sure I want to go to VMI, just waiting on the ROTC scholarship!

Here’s the basics.
The GC are your classes elected officers. They are lifetime positions, but during your cadetship they are the focal point for negotiation of class-based privileges with the EC and Comm Staff. They also serve as the panel of “judges” for GC trials. The first class GC is the EC and also drives some of the Ratline related privilege decisions and “run the GC.”

The OGA are interviewed/appointed by the EC/CommStaff. They’re all 1/c privates (leaving out a couple exceptions) by definition and in that role answer to the class officers, separate from the chain of command, as an option for recourse if someone has an issue with someone (Rat or upperclassman) in their chain.