VMI STP (and NSI Conflict)

[USN/USCGMamaBear]

Does anyone have any experience with VMI STP? DD has 4 year Marine Corps option NROTC scholarship to VMI and wants to attend STP but hasn’t been assigned NSI date yet and the only NSI iteration that doesn’t conflict with STP dates is the first one. Do you have the option to elect or request a change in NSI dates if it conflicts with your school training like VMI STP? And can anyone speak to their VMI STP experience? Thank you!

 

[EEBTTF]

Does anyone have any experience with VMI STP? DD has 4 year Marine Corps option NROTC scholarship to VMI and wants to attend STP but hasn’t been assigned NSI date yet and the only NSI iteration that doesn’t conflict with STP dates is the first one. Do you have the option to elect or request a change in NSI dates if it conflicts with your school training like VMI STP? And can anyone speak to their VMI STP experience? Thank you!

You can request a specific date, but I wouldn't count on it. NSI would be the priority. Good luck.

 

[RBI90VMI]

From my experience STP is good if :

• The matriculant could use help improving physical fitness
• has little to no college credits (STP will count towards one academic class)
• is unfamiliar with the VMI post (you'll learn the different buildings and where your classes will be)

You'll also get to know many of your future Brother Rats prior to matriculation. It always helps to know someone in advance going through the same thing as you.

We looked into it, but it didn't make sense for my son (4C) personally. He was a multi sport athlete and was in good shape (but you'll never be in as good as shape as you'll need to be for the ratline), he had earned his Associate's Degree while in HS so he was already ahead credit wise and he's been going to VMI since he was a little kid and knows his way around post (although he realizes now how much he didn't know).

I've heard of nothing but good things about the STP, it just wasn't for us.

Rah Virginia Mil!

 

[CatDog99]

My DS (2023) really enjoyed STP. He made good friends and knocked out a math class. 2023 was last class of VMI NROTC that didn't (eventually) make it to NSI (mostly due to COVID). I recommend signing up for STP with understanding that NSI schedule may trump it. Either program will give your DD a military boost and help with mindset and confidence prior to the Rat Line. Good luck to your DD!

 

[Sargon]

My DS (2022) did STP and it helped. He had fun. learned about post, and got ahead academically. My piece of advice would be to get an English or history class out of the way. The time spent on papers is not conducive to the rat line. My DS took calc (and did well and ended up with a minor in math), and if he could do it over it would have been a humanities course. Congratulations and good luck. From the parent end I really miss VMI and Lexington, enjoy every minute.