VMI Open House & Overnight 2016

Falcon A

Just a Proud Dad
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Just curious to hear from those that went to the recent VMI Open House (or from anyone that went to any of the VMI Open Houses this year Sep 2015-Mar 2016). Looks like there is one more Open House this year in March but it is already filled up: http://admissions.vmi.edu/visit/

Would like to hear your impressions and also hear how the interview went if you did one.

If you've got any questions, this is a good place to ask
 
Just curious to hear from those that went to the recent VMI Open House (or from anyone that went to any of the VMI Open Houses this year Sep 2015-Mar 2016). Looks like there is one more Open House this year in March but it is already filled up: http://admissions.vmi.edu/visit/

Would like to hear your impressions and also hear how the interview went if you did one.

If you've got any questions, this is a good place to ask

Oh my goodness, do I have a lot to speak of here! My daughter just did the overnight this week at VMI. She's already been offered an appointment at VMI; she applied in November and received her appointment in December with no interview.

My daughter has been aiming for USNA since she was in the 7th grade, aiming for either EOD or SEALs (Hence, my username). This kid has been laser-focused on USNA since she was 13 years old...like seriously obsessed with USNA and anything Navy spec ops...her plan was USNA or enlistment, until we found this forum and discovered the Senior Military colleges-didn't have a clue what they even were until November! Daughter did the research, decided both the Citadel and VMI were very close to USNA in that the entire school is focused on military; the kind of college she wanted to be at.

She applied to both and was accepted into both surprisingly fast. She scrambled in late Nov/Dec for the NRTOC scholarship (only finished in time for the last board, so no word yet).

I'm giving this backstory to emphasize how much VMI was a last minute plan B for my daughter. I suspect she only really applied to appease Dear Mom...

Until this overnight.

Virginia Military Institute is no plan B at all. It is a school that is laser focused on teaching and training your young man/woman to be the best PERSON they are capable of ever being. These professors really care, and they are not just there to teach a "set" curriculum (although they do), but really and truly they are there to discover your/DD/DS's strengths and pull those strengths into a degree that works with those strengths - and that will maximize your potential after graduation, either commissioning or in the private sector.

These professors aren't the typical college professors whose main goal is writing research papers to be published (and leaving the teaching to the TAs), but these are active duty and retired military that are now full time professors that not only are being paid for one thing (to teach these kids)
 
I accidentally hit the reply before I finished-sorry.

My daughter actually liked VMI even more than USNA. She said she felt like she would be pushed harder, study harder, and work harder than she would at USNA, and she felt like she would become better officer because of it. She felt like it was already her family.

DD said that if given a choice between USNA or VMI, if money was of no concern she would choose VMI in a heartbeat. This from the kid who has had USNA on her brain every day for years!

I am so glad we found Virginia Military institute!!!
 
Interesting isn't it?

DS was in similar situation. Visited both USMA and VMI and VMI spoke to him more.

Shows the value of doing a visit to any school to which you are applying if you can.

There are really no bad options especially if ROTC national scholarship comes through ...
 
I accidentally hit the reply before I finished-sorry.

My daughter actually liked VMI even more than USNA. She said she felt like she would be pushed harder, study harder, and work harder than she would at USNA, and she felt like she would become better officer because of it. She felt like it was already her family.

DD said that if given a choice between USNA or VMI, if money was of no concern she would choose VMI in a heartbeat. This from the kid who has had USNA on her brain every day for years!

I am so glad we found Virginia Military institute!!!

So glad she had a positive visit!!!
 
One other thing to mention is that DD is a boxer and was concerned because there is no women's boxing team at VMI. She found the athletic director and asked him about it. He told her that if she wants to box, she is more than welcome to join the men's team and he will find women boxers for her to fight, no matter where in the country it might take them. The fact that he is willing to make a new team for just one woman speaks volumes! Can't imagine there is another college on the planet that would do that. (But knowing my DD she'll most likely recruit other females for the team, haha!)
 
I think you will find that there are many things about VMI that are like that. My son is a 3rd classman at VMI right now and I could write a book on how great VMI is. My son only visited when we went as a family on vacation on the way to Williamsburg. From that point on, that was it! We as parents have been equally impressed as well. It's a family and it's a great one!
 
Any others with feedback from the 11-12 March 2016 VMI Overnight? Your feedback can help others that could not make the overnights perhaps decide.
 
A very similar experience for my DD. Brother is USNA grad and she has always wanted USNA. She went to the overnight visit in October with the thought that if she attended, she would shut me up even though she was less than thrilled. VMI is TOTALLY not a Plan B. The education seemed top notch with engaged professors who were invested in the students' success. I was impressed with the small class size and overall success rate. The alumni network is nothing to sneeze at either. It is a win/win for her as possible Chemistry major - very small major (with respect to class size) with the ability for scholarships throughout every class year that are specific to the major. I was beyond impressed.
 
Before I attended the open house, I thought that The Citadel was the place for me. Boy was I wrong! I loved my overnight! I attended the October open house on Halloween weekend. I went in thinking that all of the rats and cadets would resent any "pre-strains", but I was approached multiple times by both rats and upperclassmen asking me if I was liking what I saw, what I planned to do, what ROTC, what major, etc.

I also had an interview, and it was extremely laid back. We talked about myself and my application for around five minutes, probably even less. Then, we just discussed things like sports and the current military and government. The officer I interviewed with even finished the meeting by telling me that he would review my application with the early decision applicants (I applied regular decision) and to expect a BFE in the next month or so. I'm not sure if all of the interviews go that way, but either way, I think they are meant to be very laid back and a good portion of the reason for them is so that candidates can ask questions and learn more about the opportunities at VMI.
 
Thank you both. The value of making a visit to any school a person is seriously considering continues to be shown as very worthwhile. Finding a place that speaks to you is great. Finding out that a place is not for you is equally valuable. We had similar experiences. I would encourage all that can to make those visits.
 
DS spent the night at Virginia Tech with the corps of cadets. We then went to VMI for a visit. He found VMI totally engaged in the military structure (commissioning or not) and was more to his desire than at VT. At VT if you were not awarded a scholarship many would dropped out of the CofC program. VMI is hard, and stressful at times, and you need to be involved in rank, sports, or other stuff or you may find yourself board, but only after your Rat year. good luck with your future.
 
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