VMI or VTCC?

C

Clvmi

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2018
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13
Hello,
I’m currently a senior in high school and I have been appointed to VMI and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadet. But, as I have visited these schools many times, I can’t seem to choose a school and the date for me to commit is coming up really soon (May 1st). It would be really appreciative if anyone can share their thoughts on this.

Thank you so much!
 
Clvmi said:
Hello,
I’m currently a senior in high school and I have been appointed to VMI and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadet. But, as I have visited these schools many times, I can’t seem to choose a school and the date for me to commit is coming up really soon (May 1st). It would be really appreciative if anyone can share their thoughts on this.

Thank you so much!
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Congratulations! I can offer some advice the best I can...Make a list..which school offers your major?, I think VT will offer a little more of the "traditional" college experience, VMI will have smaller classes... is one school offering more financial aid (if that is a concern). Did one school just give you that "feeling"? I know corny, but I'm a mom. My son stepped on the USNA years ago and said he felt home...He looked at both VMI and VT and preferred VT and I never thought he would like the bigger school. He wants to major in Aerospace Eng., and even though the school is big, he liked the idea of being able to live with engineering majors and joining the Corps of Cadets, which would give him a smaller school feel, but have the advantages of a bigger school. He is just finishing junior yr of high school, the USNA and USAFA will be his first choices , but making plans B,C etc. If you want to chat, just ask.
 
Thank you so much for responding! I hope for the best for your son!
I will be majoring in Biology for both schools. I had a “home” feeling when I visited VMI and for VT, I’m not sure how I felt about it; it was a mix feeling of everything for me. But every time I think about which college to choose, both colleges just comes in mind and it is really making me hard to decide.
 
Clvmi said:
Thank you so much for responding! I hope for the best for your son!
I will be majoring in Biology for both schools. I had a “home” feeling when I visited VMI and for VT, I’m not sure how I felt about it; it was a mix feeling of everything for me. But every time I think about which college to choose, both colleges just comes in mind and it is really making me hard to decide.
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Please let us know what you decide...I just noticed your screen name..VMI is in it..maybe there is your answer?
 
I might be bias because I’m going to VMI next year but from talking to different people VMI holds more prestige in the military community. I chose VMI over a traditional school because I thought attending a school where everyone is participating in military duties would better prepare me for a military career than ROTC at a regular school.
 
OP, if you want a smaller school where everyone is a cadet and going through the same PT, parades, uniforms, etc. then VMI is a better fit. If you want to do all of that as a part of your life but still have some of the "normal"college experience, then VT is the better fit. If VMI gave you that "home" feeling and you had mixed feelings about VT, maybe that is your answer.

Both good choices. Some advice on an older thread I recall reading is to flip a coin. What is your immediate response to the result? If you are happy with the result of the coin flip you know that was the choice you really wanted in your heart. If you are unhappy or have a lot of anxiety with the result - well, that tells you that you really wanted the other school in your heart.

Whatever you decide, go with it 100% and don't look back. Life is going to be full of choices like this where there is no clear "right path".

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
 
People have posted good advice like looking at class size, school size etc. Even most VMI Cadets will admit that although VMI has a sizable list of cool opportunities and stuff. VTs list will be longer, it’s a larger school. However, I think the biggest deciding factor for me when I made the same decision came down to really thinking about exactly why I was interested in SMCs at all. For me, it wasn’t just about being more ready for a career as an an officer, or leadership/discipline training. Those are good reasons for an SMC, and if that’s why you want them, go to VT. If you have decided to look at SMCs because you want a rigorous and even harsh training experience not because that’s the single key to being a leader (it’s not), but because you don’t to look back and wish you went the harder path, go to VMI. The VTCC is great from people I’ve talked to, and it will set you up very well for any career, but it’s truly not as rigorous of an environment. There’s privileges VT Cadets get while they’re Rats that I won’t have until graduation. So I’d let your motives guide the decision.
 
VMI2017+3 said:
People have posted good advice like looking at class size, school size etc. Even most VMI Cadets will admit that although VMI has a sizable list of cool opportunities and stuff. VTs list will be longer, it’s a larger school. However, I think the biggest deciding factor for me when I made the same decision came down to really thinking about exactly why I was interested in SMCs at all. For me, it wasn’t just about being more ready for a career as an an officer, or leadership/discipline training. Those are good reasons for an SMC, and if that’s why you want them, go to VT. If you have decided to look at SMCs because you want a rigorous and even harsh training experience not because that’s the single key to being a leader (it’s not), but because you don’t to look back and wish you went the harder path, go to VMI. The VTCC is great from people I’ve talked to, and it will set you up very well for any career, but it’s truly not as rigorous of an environment. There’s privileges VT Cadets get while they’re Rats that I won’t have until graduation. So I’d let your motives guide the decision.
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Thank you so much for your advice!
As a cadet, do you enjoy VMI so far? And are you planning on commissioning?
 
Dadof2 said:
OP, if you want a smaller school where everyone is a cadet and going through the same PT, parades, uniforms, etc. then VMI is a better fit. If you want to do all of that as a part of your life but still have some of the "normal"college experience, then VT is the better fit. If VMI gave you that "home" feeling and you had mixed feelings about VT, maybe that is your answer.

Both good choices. Some advice on an older thread I recall reading is to flip a coin. What is your immediate response to the result? If you are happy with the result of the coin flip you know that was the choice you really wanted in your heart. If you are unhappy or have a lot of anxiety with the result - well, that tells you that you really wanted the other school in your heart.

Whatever you decide, go with it 100% and don't look back. Life is going to be full of choices like this where there is no clear "right path".

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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Thank you so much for replying and for the advice. I will definitely try the flipping the coin trick out later today. I really appreciate it! :)
 
RahVaMilWopo said:
I might be bias because I’m going to VMI next year but from talking to different people VMI holds more prestige in the military community. I chose VMI over a traditional school because I thought attending a school where everyone is participating in military duties would better prepare me for a military career than ROTC at a regular school.
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Congratulations on your appointment! And yes, I really like the strict military schedule VMI offers. Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it.
 
Clvmi said:
Thank you so much for your advice!
As a cadet, do you enjoy VMI so far? And are you planning on commissioning?
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No problem. Do I enjoy it: mostly no, this is true for anyone. It’s just not a fun place to be. I knew that going in. Am I glad I chose VMI: absolutely. The relationships with my Brother Rats are priceless and I wouldn’t trade those for any comfort or quality of life improvement. There are some fun/funny times here and there, especially as you get up in class. But there aren’t nearly enough of those on their own to make it worth it, and that’s okay.
 
DS had TWE from Naval Academy two year. Chose a Maritime and Commission through their NROTC program. I think it was so he could wear a uniform every day and not pick out clothes to wear for class every day.
 
RahVaMilWopo said:
I might be bias because I’m going to VMI next year but from talking to different people VMI holds more prestige in the military community. I chose VMI over a traditional school because I thought attending a school where everyone is participating in military duties would better prepare me for a military career than ROTC at a regular school.
Click to expand...

Yeet
 
VMI2017+3 said:
No problem. Do I enjoy it: mostly no, this is true for anyone. It’s just not a fun place to be. I knew that going in. Am I glad I chose VMI: absolutely. The relationships with my Brother Rats are priceless and I wouldn’t trade those for any comfort or quality of life improvement. There are some fun/funny times here and there, especially as you get up in class. But there aren’t nearly enough of those on their own to make it worth it, and that’s okay.
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Sorry if I am asking a lot of questions. But did you adjust to the new lifestyle quickly? Or did it take you some time to get used to it?
 
Clvmi said:
Sorry if I am asking a lot of questions. But did you adjust to the new lifestyle quickly? Or did it take you some time to get used to it?
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Hmmm. This question is interesting. A few different interpretations. On its face, the transition is quick. Hell week demands a quick transition. You’re plunged in the deep end and you don’t have time to think about the concept of transitioning. Then after hell week, there is a noticeable transition. You’ll realize you’ve been sorta brainwashed into not doing anything without your cadre yelling at you to do it. Within the next week or two you get used to being on your own. Of course there’s another transition after breakout and another when you return as a third and there are Rats that aren’t you.

Now really how long does it take to get used to not being a civilian anymore? I don’t know. You won’t really think about it all that much. Every once in a while I’ll look over to the rifles in our room and our uniforms and realize how weird it all is that this is “normal” now. Doesn’t bother me, actually makes me proud, I didn’t want a normal college. Or when we’re discussing what permits we need to utilize if we want to try to leave post and the finer points of making sure we’re following all stipulations so we don’t have to turn ourselves in for breach of permit. This is just normal now. Now being home around guys from high school is weird. You’ll very quickly realize when you head home for
Your first furlough that you’re life is so drastically different from all your friends and they really won’t understand that stuff you’re used to talking about with your BRs. Anyway...long winded, but hopefully insightful.
 
Clvmi said:
Thank you so much for your response and taking your time for responding with your busy schedule. This was something I wanted to hear from a Cadet. I really appreciate it. I have decided to attend VMI next fall!
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Congratulations!
 
Clvmi said:
Thank you so much for your response and taking your time for responding with your busy schedule. This was something I wanted to hear from a Cadet. I really appreciate it. I have decided to attend VMI next fall!
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Welcome to an extraordinary family! You have chosen a great and challenging path.

Rah Virginia Mil!
 
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