VMI Questions

VMI Swimming

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Feb 26, 2018
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Hey y'all, I have a few questions concerning the life at the Virginia Military Institute. I am commited to VMI and have gotten my appointment and gladly accepted as a side note. I understand life at the academies and senior military schools are different. One thing I noticed was when I traveled to USMA for an official visit, I noticed the student had black backpack and yes I know it free so they didn't buy but at VMI do you

1) do they wear backpacks
2) if so should you buy your own online

One last thing, any object I should buy for rat year that would make life easier?
 
No backpacks a VMI. Black messenger style bag. You do not have to buy the VMI one, but it does need to be all black.
 
Nothing other than the list for hell week. I highly recommend shirt stays after hell week.
 
Yes it does -- Page 13 -- "Book/computer bag* – black fabric brief case style computer bag (not a backpack)" -- first lesson, attention to detail . . .
I understand it say no bookbag (backpack)...in my more recent post I was wondering why type of bag other than black. Like a brand name or if they hand out at matriculation stuff like that if very vague in the handbook. Sorry for the confusion.
 
I'm not sure if you attend VMI or not but if you do, any brand names/ styles that you think work best. Thanks

My son is a 2nd at VMI, I would not have lasted 5 minutes.

They do no hand them out at Matriculation, but you can buy the VMI one at the bookstore, or purchase one and bring it with you.

We purchased the VMI one, but lots of cadets have just purchased plain black. I would probably see if one of the more durable brands like Jansport makes them, so you aren't buying a new one each year. One with a handle, I don't think they can use the shoulder strap, I have only ever seen cadets carry them by the handle.

Something like this should be fine:
https://www.amazon.com/capacity-She...8-20-spons&keywords=black+messenger+bag&psc=1
 
My son is a 2nd at VMI, I would not have lasted 5 minutes.

They do no hand them out at Matriculation, but you can buy the VMI one at the bookstore, or purchase one and bring it with you.

We purchased the VMI one, but lots of cadets have just purchased plain black. I would probably see if one of the more durable brands like Jansport makes them, so you aren't buying a new one each year. One with a handle, I don't think they can use the shoulder strap, I have only ever seen cadets carry them by the handle.

Something like this should be fine:
https://www.amazon.com/capacity-She...8-20-spons&keywords=black+messenger+bag&psc=1
Awesome thank you so much sir for the help.
 
My son will be an incoming Rat this fall with a mechanical engineering major (aerospace concentration). Any advice on the whole packing list and getting it all into one suitcase/trunk? Is this part of the first decision making process, meaning they have to decide what to bring, what not to bring, and what to buy from the bookstore when he gets there?
 
My son will be an incoming Rat this fall with a mechanical engineering major (aerospace concentration). Any advice on the whole packing list and getting it all into one suitcase/trunk? Is this part of the first decision making process, meaning they have to decide what to bring, what not to bring, and what to buy from the bookstore when he gets there?

JCP3 — you might also look for the VMI Parents Pages on Facebook. I can’t post the links here due to forum rules but you can get answers to many VMI questions on those pages, especially the VMI Rat Mass 2019+3 Parents page. To gain access to that page you will have to prove you are a parent of an incoming Rat. Best wishes to you and your Rat!
 
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My son will be an incoming Rat this fall with a mechanical engineering major (aerospace concentration). Any advice on the whole packing list and getting it all into one suitcase/trunk? Is this part of the first decision making process, meaning they have to decide what to bring, what not to bring, and what to buy from the bookstore when he gets there?

JCP3 - If you go to the VMI website, type "packing list" in the search box. It will bring you to the matriculation section and you can find the packing list there. The list includes mandatory and optional items. I highly recommend sticking to the list. If he does he will have what he needs and you can always send additional things later. Rats are restricted to what they can have and he will learn what to ask for. He doesn't want to stand out by having questionable items.

You will have an opportunity to help him take things to his room and take his trunk to the trunk room for storage on matriculation day. You'll be able to go to his room with him and there will be cadets who will guide him around to find his room, get his hay, etc. and he won't put things away in his room until later. He is not in the Ratline yet at this point (moving things in), so it's all pretty casual dealing with the cadets who will be helping him. Interactions with upper class cadets will be very different after the matriculation ceremony, but don't worry - he'll be fine. Ratline is an extremely tough, but tried and true process.

I applaud your son for choosing a challenging path. Best of luck to you and your son.
 
Hi. Could someone please tell me about the placement test for VMI? Is there a test prep? Is it multiple choice? I'm not a good test taker and I'm worried about this placement test. I realize this test is to place me within a math course, but what would happen if I did super poorly on the math? Would they rescind my acceptance? If not, would a bad score potentially effect my major (International Studies)? Also, the language test...question 1) I took Italian during freshman and sophomore year (school dropped course) and have forgotten literally all of it, would I still have to test even though I didn't recently take this language? 2) What if I don't do so well? 3) I took Latin until senior year, would they still have me test? Hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas!
 
The placement tests are used to confirm you are in the appropriate first year math and language courses. If you do will, you will be placed in advanced courses.
 
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