Q's on VMI

Blackotter

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
27
I've been accepted to VMI's Class of 2018+3 and plan to do STP, I've checked PostView and when I log in it still has me under "Prospective Student". Why do I have to wait until I take the placement tests before it changes to "Student"?
 
I could be wrong, but I believe you're considered a prospective student until you have matriculated.

Prepare as best you can for the placement tests - they're challenging.

Congrats on your appointment!
 
Thank you! What is the best way to prepare for the ratline? I'm active in high school so I know cardiovascularly I am okay, but do not run and have started to work on that, much to my dismay. While I'm there, what percentage should be spent on academics, ratline, ROTC, and other things?
 
You want to be in the best shape you can be in when you show up for matriculation. You will want to start running regularly now. You don't have to be a sprinter or a marathon runner, but you want to make sure you can keep up without struggling. Work on pullups and pushups too - you'll be doing lots and lots of pushups. If you don't show up in great shape, you will end up in great shape by the time you breakout, but life will be easier if show up as physically ready as possible. You will be tested physically, mentally and will be under a lot of stress in every way, so being in good physical condition when you show up will help a lot. Don't worry now about how much time to allocate to academics, etc. You will figure that out when you get there and you won't have much free time at all. For academics, probably the most important thing is don't try to study in your room. Find a quiet academic building.

Show up in shape, be prepared to give your best effort at everything you are asked to do, be humble and don't take anything too personally. Don't be the one that falls out of runs or has made up injuries all the time to get out of PT. The ratline is a time-tested process. It will not be easy, but if you truly do your best, trust that the process works even though it's going to really, really suck at times and don't take things personally you will be fine.

You have chosen a tough, but potentially very rewarding path. Best of luck to you.
 
Grades are most important. Study and take a demerit for unshinned brass. Show up in shape, it will be one less thing to stress. Ratline and ROTC will be mandatory activities, but you will find you will need to make critical decisions on how you spend your time, there will not be enough time for everything so take a demerit and study. You will not fail out of VMI because of demerits, you will due to poor grades. You will not commission if your GPA sucks.
 
Grades are most important. Study and take a demerit for unshinned brass. Show up in shape, it will be one less thing to stress. Ratline and ROTC will be mandatory activities, but you will find you will need to make critical decisions on how you spend your time, there will not be enough time for everything so take a demerit and study. You will not fail out of VMI because of demerits, you will due to poor grades. You will not commission if your GPA sucks.
I would caveat that by saying you need to learn to balance academics, fitness and the military component. You may not fail out based on demerits but you can be suspended for a semester or more based on demerits. VMI often uses the 3 legged stool as an example of good balance and 20 years after matriculation I think that remains true. Strive to be the best in all areas. I am not saying neglect GPA or anything but all of those areas are a part of being a VMI alumni.

Also, as a note I never ask new officers arriving to my organization what their GPA was in college. This week I did counsel two officers on levels of fitness in regards to height/weight and APFT scores. The point being I know one of those officers did very well in a demanding major but I think in retrospect a little more time focusing on the physical component would have helped them in the long run.

Finally, don't forget you go to VMI expecting it to be hard. Too many people get there and want to find a reason not to do ratline activiites, rat challenge or the myriad of tasks (parades, inspections etc) as an upperclassmen. If you want a great undergraduate education then you can do that at VMI but also at a million other places. You go to VMI to get the whole experience embrace it all.
 
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