Current Cadet former VMI Cadet Ask Me Anything

[JustAnotherCDT]

If you could go back in time, would you have perfected direct entry to West Point? Or would you say that VMI put you a step ahead (academically and military-knowledge wise)? Also, can I be medically qualified (with waiver) for AROTC but NOT medically qualified (with waiver) for USMA? They are the same branch so am curious if they would have same standards.

I am so glad that I did not directly come to USMA. I was able to see the real world from outside the West Point bubble. An issue that most have coming straight from high school. VMI helped in terms of academics by adjusting to the military college lifestyle for a year. It also provided me with knowledge of military customs and introduction to army doctrine. With my situation I missed the DODMERB deadline for USMA (APR 15) but I made it for AROTC. For AROTC I just contracted a month after I first got to VMI. By my understanding scholarship winners are automatically granted a waiver which was what my situation was. For my 2nd time applying to USMA I still had to get a waiver even though I was already technically contracted with the army through ROTC. What DODMERB told me is that academies have different standards for medical requirements.

 

[US2021]

I am so glad that I did not directly come to USMA. I was able to see the real world from outside the West Point bubble. An issue that most have coming straight from high school. VMI helped in terms of academics by adjusting to the military college lifestyle for a year. It also provided me with knowledge of military customs and introduction to army doctrine. With my situation I missed the DODMERB deadline for USMA (APR 15) but I made it for AROTC. For AROTC I just contracted a month after I first got to VMI. By my understanding scholarship winners are automatically granted a waiver which was what my situation was. For my 2nd time applying to USMA I still had to get a waiver even though I was already technically contracted with the army through ROTC. What DODMERB told me is that academies have different standards for medical requirements.

Extremely helpful. Thank you. Can you elaborate on what you mean by how VMI helped your perspective of the “real world”? Did it help you socially a lot? I am thinking VMI first May even be better, bc I will be able to develop better social skills and understand military interactions. From a MMI to USMA kid he told me that his MMI experience humbled him for USMA (bc “MMI was so much worse”). Was this true for you?

Mai what I am understanding is you went to VMI and joined AROTC in the first week? I thought you have to commit to an ROTC branch in the app proccess.

 

[kinnem]

Mai what I am understanding is you went to VMI and joined AROTC in the first week? I thought you have to commit to an ROTC branch in the app proccess.

He contracted with AROTC which is different from committing to participating in the program. Although he doesn't explicitly state it, he implies he had a AROTC scholarship.

 

[FØB Zero]

Ask me anything. I’d thought I’d try and give back some knowledge to some other individuals at an SMC that are looking to come to USMA. Or any other questions you have.

1. How are your fellow cadets there?
Is there a lot of diversity (in backgrounds, personality, and ethnicities)? Does this create a competitive environment or is everyone very supportive? How is the environment and interactions between genders bc there are significantly more males than females. (Since I know media wouldn’t publish this I’m curious of some cadets still go to parties and/or if there is strong hookup culture like regular university).

2. What characteristics are most respected/admired in USMA cadets? Those who lead in the front as the most physically fit/academically strong OR those who are simply supportive of everybody and great teammates, leading by the side (OR other)?

 

[JustAnotherCDT]

Extremely helpful. Thank you. Can you elaborate on what you mean by how VMI helped your perspective of the “real world”? Did it help you socially a lot? I am thinking VMI first May even be better, bc I will be able to develop better social skills and understand military interactions. From a MMI to USMA kid he told me that his MMI experience humbled him for USMA (bc “MMI was so much worse”). Was this true for you?

Mai what I am understanding is you went to VMI and joined AROTC in the first week? I thought you have to commit to an ROTC branch in the app proccess.

Socially it did help. W&L was next door to VMI and I spent a lot of time in the town of Lexington. I also interacted with cadets who were not commissioning or commissioning in other branches. I would advise that if you have an opportunity to go first try then go. I was not lucky enough to get in the first time, and I was heartbroken by it. It was a blessing in disguise, but that was just for me. Your experience may be different. I was definitely humbled by going to VMI first and I am not exactly sure what you mean by "worse". In terms of the difficulty of the ratline to plebe year then yes VMI was much worse.

As kinnem stated I was on scholarship with AROTC. At VMI all cadets participate in one of the four ROTC programs. While I had a scholarship going into VMI I did not swear in until September.

 

[JustAnotherCDT]

1. How are your fellow cadets there?
Is there a lot of diversity (in backgrounds, personality, and ethnicities)? Does this create a competitive environment or is everyone very supportive? How is the environment and interactions between genders bc there are significantly more males than females. (Since I know media wouldn’t publish this I’m curious of some cadets still go to parties and/or if there is strong hookup culture like regular university).

2. What characteristics are most respected/admired in USMA cadets? Those who lead in the front as the most physically fit/academically strong OR those who are simply supportive of everybody and great teammates, leading by the side (OR other)?

1. There was a lot more diversity than I first expected (I don't mean that in a bad way). In my company, we had a decent breakdown between ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. While most of VMI 50-60% is from Virginia I was able to meet a decent about of people (including myself) who were from out of state. It is not as diverse as USMA where there are cadets from all 50 states and other countries and a large portion of minorities. Roughly 10% of the VMI Corps is female. I did notice a few cases of cadets dating other cadets both within classes and above or below a class. Parties were fairly common mainly off post, after breakout, I went to W&L, JMU, and VT on the weekends. We did have a midwinter dance a week after we broke out but there are dances and after parties for every class. I also know people who get an Airbnb just outside the county lines for the weekend.

The environment at VMI is a lot more supportive than competitive. Especially compared to USMA where everyone is competing against each other which I am personally not a fan of, but OML is a lot more important at USMA.

2. In my personal opinion the characteristics I would say are most admired are cadets who are able to think outside the box when needed. Who is able to know when to take charge and when to follow. It does seem that academics are revered here higher than the other pillars. I personally strive to be well rounded with a little more focus on physicality. The best advice I got from an NCO is as a PL you should be outworking everybody in your platoon and having the highest ACFT score. If private scores higher than you they're less likely to listen to what you are going to have to say.

 

[US2021]

1. There was a lot more diversity than I first expected (I don't mean that in a bad way). In my company, we had a decent breakdown between ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. While most of VMI 50-60% is from Virginia I was able to meet a decent about of people (including myself) who were from out of state. It is not as diverse as USMA where there are cadets from all 50 states and other countries and a large portion of minorities. Roughly 10% of the VMI Corps is female. I did notice a few cases of cadets dating other cadets both within classes and above or below a class. Parties were fairly common mainly off post, after breakout, I went to W&L, JMU, and VT on the weekends. We did have a midwinter dance a week after we broke out but there are dances and after parties for every class. I also know people who get an Airbnb just outside the county lines for the weekend.

The environment at VMI is a lot more supportive than competitive. Especially compared to USMA where everyone is competing against each other which I am personally not a fan of, but OML is a lot more important at USMA.

2. In my personal opinion the characteristics I would say are most admired are cadets who are able to think outside the box when needed. Who is able to know when to take charge and when to follow. It does seem that academics are revered here higher than the other pillars. I personally strive to be well rounded with a little more focus on physicality. The best advice I got from an NCO is as a PL you should be outworking everybody in your platoon and having the highest ACFT score. If private scores higher than you they're less likely to listen to what you are going to have to say.

1. There was a lot more diversity than I first expected (I don't mean that in a bad way). In my company, we had a decent breakdown between ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. While most of VMI 50-60% is from Virginia I was able to meet a decent about of people (including myself) who were from out of state. It is not as diverse as USMA where there are cadets from all 50 states and other countries and a large portion of minorities. Roughly 10% of the VMI Corps is female. I did notice a few cases of cadets dating other cadets both within classes and above or below a class. Parties were fairly common mainly off post, after breakout, I went to W&L, JMU, and VT on the weekends. We did have a midwinter dance a week after we broke out but there are dances and after parties for every class. I also know people who get an Airbnb just outside the county lines for the weekend.

The environment at VMI is a lot more supportive than competitive. Especially compared to USMA where everyone is competing against each other which I am personally not a fan of, but OML is a lot more important at USMA.

2. In my personal opinion the characteristics I would say are most admired are cadets who are able to think outside the box when needed. Who is able to know when to take charge and when to follow. It does seem that academics are revered here higher than the other pillars. I personally strive to be well rounded with a little more focus on physicality. The best advice I got from an NCO is as a PL you should be outworking everybody in your platoon and having the highest ACFT score. If private scores higher than you they're less likely to listen to what you are going to have to say.

when you mention those parties off base, is that common at WP? On breaks do friends take each other to hometowns/go on vacations together? How is dating other cadets viewed at USMA? My friend who goes there says cadets joke about it.

 

[JustAnotherCDT]

when you mention those parties off base, is that common at WP? On breaks do friends take each other to hometowns/go on vacations together? How is dating other cadets viewed at USMA? My friend who goes there says cadets joke about it.

What I have heard is that people do go to the civilian colleges near West Point on the weekends. I have not experience that myself yet. What I have heard from other people is that it is fairly common to visit and vacation with each other. Especially people who are further from home. Obviously, with COVID it is a little different and I have not experienced it myself. I did catch up with some people from my company who were only an hour away or so. The term "cadating" is thrown around alot. I know people who are both for and against it. It really is up to you and if you are attracted to someone at USMA or not. I personally am for cadating, but that is just me.