Hey pshaner3,
I'm currently a member of the VMI Honors Program, and I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience in the program. The program will not drastically affect your son's curriculum in comparison to his peers. As a RAT, he will be required to take an honors forum class every semester. The forum only meets once a week and is a 0-credit class. However, it will offer your son ample opportunity to speak freely and meet other RATs and upperclassmen who are academically-orientated. When I was a RAT, I always looked forward to my honors forum classes as they gave me an opportunity to relax.