VMI Ratline Questions

L

lsuraeru

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Joined
Apr 13, 2021
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29
I am attending VMI this upcoming school year as a freshman, and I have a few questions about the ratline and what to expect. I realize that it will be much the same as military bootcamp, except with the added pressures of college academics. I am majoring in Electrical Engineering, which I've heard is very challenging on its own. Does anyone have any tips for this major, specifically some tips for maintaining a high GPA? I am on an ROTC scholarship, so a high GPA is essential for me. Also, what freedoms, if any, are allowed to rats at VMI? Would I be allowed to do things like get dinner in Lexington on a Saturday night, or listen to music while studying? Or are these privileges typically reserved for those who are officially cadets within VMI?
Thanks!
 
Engineering is a hard major. General GPA tips are fairly universal however. Get help from the ECE upperclassmen, use free time between classes for homework, not falling asleep, and go to your professors for help. This is one of the great benefits of such a small school.
The privileges you listed are ones you won’t have as a Rat. You can go to dinner with parents, but not just on your own. Once you get PM ability, hit me up and I can chat some more. I don’t want to deanonymize myself.
 
VMI2017+3 said:
Engineering is a hard major. General GPA tips are fairly universal however. Get help from the ECE upperclassmen, use free time between classes for homework, not falling asleep, and go to your professors for help. This is one of the great benefits of such a small school.
The privileges you listed are ones you won’t have as a Rat. You can go to dinner with parents, but not just on your own. Once you get PM ability, hit me up and I can chat some more. I don’t want to deanonymize myself.
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I suppose when speaking of VMI, it probably is difficult to stay anonymous. It would be funny if you were my son’s Dyke or Uncle Dyke LOL - I think that is such a great system that VMI has.

For the OP: good luck to you! You will figure many things out as you go. Even as a mom, I know the importance between the bond that forms between BRs. They will help you along with reaching out to your professors. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
 
emptynest2021 said:
I suppose when speaking of VMI, it probably is difficult to stay anonymous. It would be funny if you were my son’s Dyke or Uncle Dyke LOL - I think that is such a great system that VMI has.

For the OP: good luck to you! You will figure many things out as you go. Even as a mom, I know the importance between the bond that forms between BRs. They will help you along with reaching out to your professors. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
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Haha...there’s definitely a few BRs of mine who could ID me if they’re on here. Hasn’t happened yet. Just trying to not let that list grow from “a few” to “lots.”
 
Once USNA football dropped my son like a hot swatch plate off a CH-53, I hoped he would go to VMI. I loved that place.

He told me, "I don't want all the military stuff."
 
VMI2017+3 said:
Engineering is a hard major. General GPA tips are fairly universal however. Get help from the ECE upperclassmen, use free time between classes for homework, not falling asleep, and go to your professors for help. This is one of the great benefits of such a small school.
The privileges you listed are ones you won’t have as a Rat. You can go to dinner with parents, but not just on your own. Once you get PM ability, hit me up and I can chat some more. I don’t want to deanonymize myself.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I've heard tons about how beneficial the fact that it's a small school is, I'm really looking forward to the small class sizes and the attention that I'll get from the professors. I seem to learn best that way in my experience. For the PM ability, do responses count as posts? Thanks again!
 
emptynest2021 said:
I suppose when speaking of VMI, it probably is difficult to stay anonymous. It would be funny if you were my son’s Dyke or Uncle Dyke LOL - I think that is such a great system that VMI has.

For the OP: good luck to you! You will figure many things out as you go. Even as a mom, I know the importance between the bond that forms between BRs. They will help you along with reaching out to your professors. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the wishes! It'll probably be the hardest things I ever do, and I'm scared for sure, but the fact that I'll be going through it with ~500 others offers some sort of comfort. Thank you for the advice!
 
lsuraeru said:
Thank you! I've heard tons about how beneficial the fact that it's a small school is, I'm really looking forward to the small class sizes and the attention that I'll get from the professors. I seem to learn best that way in my experience. For the PM ability, do responses count as posts? Thanks again!
Click to expand...
I’m not sure on the last question...I don’t remember the minimum post number either.......
 
VMI2017+3 said:
I’m not sure on the last question...I don’t remember the minimum post number either.......
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I know it is 5 posts, I'm just a bit confused on what counts as a post though. I guess I'll find out soon enough though!
 
My son is finishing his second class year and has done well, it's tough. His biggest advice would be to study in academic buildings, not your room. Find a group of cadets in your major and help each other. I love VMI and I'm extremely proud of him and the school. I hope that you enjoy (or at least enjoy the enjoyable parts) your time there. He may be your dyke. Good luck.
 
emptynest2021 said:
Perhaps replies count as well. It couldn’t hurt to respond to me and see if that counts.
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I think the replies do count as posts, as I do not see the notification that I must make 5 posts when I click on someone's profile. Now I just need to figure out how to actually PM someone lol.
 
lsuraeru said:
Here goes nothing lol
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That's not how it works. Posts need to be meaningful. Use your 7 days to research the forums, chances are the answers you seek are already here.

5 messages plus 7 days as a member. Good luck and welcome.

@VMI2017+3 is your goto for current VMI info.
 
Sargon said:
My son is finishing his second class year and has done well, it's tough. His biggest advice would be to study in academic buildings, not your room. Find a group of cadets in your major and help each other. I love VMI and I'm extremely proud of him and the school. I hope that you enjoy (or at least enjoy the enjoyable parts) your time there. He may be your dyke. Good luck.
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That sounds like really great advice, thank you very much! I'll definitely try to enjoy my time at VMI, I heard that it makes things a lot easier if I have a sense of humor and don't take everything super seriously. Thanks again!!
 
EEBTTF said:
That's not how it works. Posts need to be meaningful. Use your 7 days to research the forums, chances are the answers you seek are already here.

5 messages plus 7 days as a member. Good luck and welcome.

@VMI2017+3 is your goto for current VMI info.
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I did not know that there was a 7 day requirement, thank you for letting me know about that!
 
Devil Doc said:
Why VMI? Are you interested in serving in the military? Are you a Virginian?
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I chose VMI because it seems like it will prepare me for life better than pretty much any other college. The close-knit community also attracts me, as I deeply value close friendships. I do intend on commissioning once I graduate, most likely I'll enter the Army as they have offered me a scholarship, but I'm also interested in the Air Force if they offer a scholarship as well. The only problem with the Air Force is I've heard that they are taking away scholarships from cadets because there are too many officers. It's a scary thought that I could go 3 years on a scholarship and have it taken away all of a sudden and possibly have to pay it all back.
 
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