Reapplying from VMI

surgicalghost13

5-Year Member
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Jul 11, 2011
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I was a candidate for the 2016 class but recently received my QNS letter. I am very interested in reapplying next year but I haven't really decided where to go in the mean time. One of my top choices would be VMI; I've already been offered an appointment there and would be the best fall back if I did not get in to WP next year, or the following years. I know VMI has a fairly similar plebe curriculum (which would be a good prep for WP); however, VMI has the ratline during the first semester. I know first semester college grades are an essential part of the college re applicant's application, and this ratline places a large amount of stress on rats. I think the average GPA is somewhere around a 2.0-2.1 during this time. Would WP recognize the strenuous conditions and take that into account or would a 2.0 be a 2.0 regardless?

Thanks in advance,
surgicalghost13
 
I can't really answer your question, but I can offer some insight. Coming from a military college doesn't hurt one bit. Being from Norwich this year, my friend and I reapplied to the Air Force Academy and two classmates reapplied to USNA. They both were accepted to USNA within two weeks of finishing their applications. They both had above 3.0's during Rookdom so if you can do close to that as well, you'll stand a good chance of getting into USMA.
 
I was a candidate for the 2016 class but recently received my QNS letter. I am very interested in reapplying next year but I haven't really decided where to go in the mean time. One of my top choices would be VMI; I've already been offered an appointment there and would be the best fall back if I did not get in to WP next year, or the following years. I know VMI has a fairly similar plebe curriculum (which would be a good prep for WP); however, VMI has the ratline during the first semester. I know first semester college grades are an essential part of the college re applicant's application, and this ratline places a large amount of stress on rats. I think the average GPA is somewhere around a 2.0-2.1 during this time. Would WP recognize the strenuous conditions and take that into account or would a 2.0 be a 2.0 regardless?

Thanks in advance,
surgicalghost13

The average for Rats was 2.0 something for sure..DS went from a 2.25 and added a full point thus far second semester, so the increase by the end of the year will give him a respectable GPA. You have to remember that there were several in his Co alone that managed a 0.8ish GPA:eek: and a few that were 3.5 or higher as well. DS told us that there were so many extremely low GPA's that kind of skewed the averages.. more than a few did very well academically but suffered in the "inspection" dept etc.. You have to go in knowing grades first and keep your priorities strait. If you have the ability to "qualify for WP and VMI" then they see in you the potential to do well there, so don't let those averages become your measuring stick for how well you can do. Not to make yourself over confident or have a snobby attitude, but expect better than average of yourself. If you are willing to endure the Rat Line and then WP ..all I can say is WOW!! God Bless you :wink: I know that some have done the very thing you are planning and succeeded, and I know others that started with the same idea and ended up staying at VMI because it became their 1st choice and their interest in the Academies waned after developing Rat-ties etc. Good Luck:thumb:
 
My guess (and that is all it is) is that WP probably won't care all that much about your Rat experiences and the negative impact on GPA. If anything, a lower GPA at VMI would show difficulty in adapting to the stresses of such an environment. That's not something USMA is going to like. This is just an opinion.

If you go to VMI and take courses similar to what plebes take at USMA, and if you get good grades, I'd imagine you'd be in a similar boat as any re-applicant with similar stats. The ROTC and VMI experience couldn't hurt, but the grades have got to be there.

Also, and this is coming from a VMI grad who got a similar letter from USMA back in the time before electricity, it probably isn't the best idea to go to VMI with the thought of not enduring it. I mean, it's not wrong to have VMI as a plan B (you certainly won't be alone there), but to go in with the idea of using it a holding place to try for USMA again won't sit well with the folks down there. You may think that doesn't matter now, but I wouldn't advertise an intention to go to WP if you ultimately do end up at VMI.

Indeed, I think if you do decide to go to VMI, you should go with the idea that you want to be there and to graduate from there. If you should eventually decide you hate it, or that even after going through the Ratline you still can't deny the fact that you really want WP, then go ahead and try for USMA; however, I think that once you endure the Ratline, you may find yourself less interested in other schools. Again, my opinion.

On the other hand, Gen. Patton was at VMI for a year before he went to USMA. I had a BR who went to USNA after Rat year (he is the only one I was personally acquainted with who did end up at one of the SAs). People have their different reasons for attending what schools they do.

So.....in summary, my view is that if I really wanted USMA above all else, that is, that was the only way that I was going to be happy, I think I'd go to a civilian college (not an SMC) and focus on strengthening whatever weak area was identified in my file. From there I would dedicate all of my energy to compiling a successful package for re-application.
 
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I can't really answer your question, but I can offer some insight. Coming from a military college doesn't hurt one bit. Being from Norwich this year, my friend and I reapplied to the Air Force Academy and two classmates reapplied to USNA. They both were accepted to USNA within two weeks of finishing their applications. They both had above 3.0's during Rookdom so if you can do close to that as well, you'll stand a good chance of getting into USMA.

How did you feel applying to a service academy from Norwich? I've been accepted to Norwich (Still waiting on other choice), but I'm just curious to how the process felt for you.
 
How did you feel applying to a service academy from Norwich? I've been accepted to Norwich (Still waiting on other choice), but I'm just curious to how the process felt for you.

I went to Norwich already anticipating reapplying to USAFA upon arrival. I chose Norwich specifically because the Corps lifestyle would prepare me for USAFA if I was accepted. The process wasn't very much different, but I waited to start it for whatever reason. The only time it was a little weird was when my Company XO found out I was applying to the Academy and he asked me "Is this place not good enough for you?". I felt a lot better about my CFA score, it got boosted WAY up after having been here for a few months
 
Thanks for the response. I do intend to reapply regardless of where I go, but I was interested how it felt applying from a SMC.

I honestly thought there would be alot of resentment from other cadets, but it seems like it isn't too big of a deal.
 
Thanks for the response. I do intend to reapply regardless of where I go, but I was interested how it felt applying from a SMC.

I honestly thought there would be alot of resentment from other cadets, but it seems like it isn't too big of a deal.

That's what I thought as well, but they're generally supportive. A lot of them applied and did not get into a service academy so they kind of root for you to get accepted. One way a SMC helped me was nominations. I'm from GA, VERY competitive for noms and I ended up getting a Sen. and a Congressional (as well as an ROTC nom). Last year I didn't get nominated at all and in my interviews when they asked why they should pick me I would always say something like "Well I've already experienced the Academy lifestyle and you can know without doubt that if you nominate me it won't be a waste and I won't quit". It seemed to work well.
 
I did the same thing with the plan of going to the Naval Academy. Wouldn't really recommend it.
I don't know why everyone's GPA is terrible during the Ratline, mine was a 3.6 during that semester and that's as high as it ever got. (IS Major).
I was turned town again and given a slot at NAPS (again), so I ended up back at VMI.
 
I did the same thing with the plan of going to the Naval Academy. Wouldn't really recommend it.
I don't know why everyone's GPA is terrible during the Ratline, mine was a 3.6 during that semester and that's as high as it ever got. (IS Major).
I was turned town again and given a slot at NAPS (again), so I ended up back at VMI.

Just curious - why did you turn NAPS down?
 
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