VMI lifestyle?

U

Uh1y28888

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Mar 17, 2020
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So I have been accepted into VMI, along with other "regular" colleges with NROTC programs (Hampton, UVA, Howard). I would like to attend a college that would be as similar to the "real world" as a Marine officer first and foremost, but also as an adult.

My only concern is that from everything I've read, VMI's lifestyle is not reflective of the real world. For example, every aspect of the day is planned out down to the minute. And they have little to no contact with non-cadets.

Is this really what VMI is like? And if not, is it reflective of life after college as an officer?

Thank you in advance for all of your input.
 
I won’t try to compare life at VMI with life as an officer other than to say they are quite different. The same can be said for any commissioning program. It is true that the lifestyle at VMI is quite unique compared to other SMCs and certainly a normal university. There is also a distinct culture at VMI that is dissimilar from the normal world. I will say, from what I can tell the Marine Corps is more similar to VMI in culture than the normal world or even the Air Force (I’m commissioning AF). Take that for what it’s worth.

Beyond all of that, I think it’s more important to be a little more nuanced in your assessment of universities. Are you looking for a college most similar in environment to the Marine Corps? Most similar to the normal world? VMI is definitely not the place if you’re looking for the latter. Or are you looking for a place that will best develop and prepare you for success in the Marine Corps and/or the normal world...even if the institution itself is quite different? These are certainly not mutually exclusive. Success can be had in or out of uniform from either VMI/SMCs or from a traditional university. Therefore, the decision comes down to what environment you think you will personally thrive in. If intense discipline, esprit de corps, perseverance, and brotherhood developed through “shared suffering” sounds rewarding to you or like you will be better for it, then VMI may be for you. If an environment like that sounds like it will stifle you as you pursue your education, you should probably look elsewhere.

For me, I fully recognize that My life at VMI will likely be a stark contrast from my life in the Air Force. I will miss it even if the day to day isn’t so fun. There will also certainly be an adjustment period. However, I can say without a doubt that VMI has brought me far more growth and success than I would have have achieved at a traditional college. But if this was true for everyone, then the Ratline would probably not have the attrition rate it does.

If you have more specific questions, perhaps I can be more useful in addressing concerns or curiosity.
 
VMI2017+3 said:
I won’t try to compare life at VMI with life as an officer other than to say they are quite different. The same can be said for any commissioning program. It is true that the lifestyle at VMI is quite unique compared to other SMCs and certainly a normal university. There is also a distinct culture at VMI that is dissimilar from the normal world. I will say, from what I can tell the Marine Corps is more similar to VMI in culture than the normal world or even the Air Force (I’m commissioning AF). Take that for what it’s worth.

Beyond all of that, I think it’s more important to be a little more nuanced in your assessment of universities. Are you looking for a college most similar in environment to the Marine Corps? Most similar to the normal world? VMI is definitely not the place if you’re looking for the latter. Or are you looking for a place that will best develop and prepare you for success in the Marine Corps and/or the normal world...even if the institution itself is quite different? These are certainly not mutually exclusive. Success can be had in or out of uniform from either VMI/SMCs or from a traditional university. Therefore, the decision comes down to what environment you think you will personally thrive in. If intense discipline, esprit de corps, perseverance, and brotherhood developed through “shared suffering” sounds rewarding to you or like you will be better for it, then VMI may be for you. If an environment like that sounds like it will stifle you as you pursue your education, you should probably look elsewhere.

For me, I fully recognize that My life at VMI will likely be a stark contrast from my life in the Air Force. I will miss it even if the day to day isn’t so fun. There will also certainly be an adjustment period. However, I can say without a doubt that VMI has brought me far more growth and success than I would have have achieved at a traditional college. But if this was true for everyone, then the Ratline would probably not have the attrition rate it does.

If you have more specific questions, perhaps I can be more useful in addressing concerns or curiosity.
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I'll be sure to think about what type of experience I want out of college. I appreciate your response.
 
Life a VMI is very spartan, even more than Citadel, if you embrace the lifestyle it can be life changing in a positive way.

Consider are USMC Bootcamp or OCS / PLC anywere close to real life? No and this is by design. Same thing for the 'tier 1' senior military colleges.
 
The first 6-9 months at VMI would be the hardest until you are done with the rat line.
 
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