Tell me about VMI

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is being recruited by VMI. A military school was never on our radar. I'm trying to understand the difference between the service academies and the 6 sr military colleges. VMI seems more "military" than say TAM or Tech.

The school seems to offer all of the military training and commissioning as the service academies but its not a free education. DD would love a D1 school but I'm not sure this is right for her. She also has ADHD and is medicated for it. I know that's a disqualifier for the service academies but it is true for the military colleges?

She has no desire to go into the military after college. TAM and Tech seem more like regular college experiences.

Does she want to throw he life away in exchange for playing her sport in college?

Outcomes are strong from VMI, both in and out of the military. She might ruin her college experience, but she won't be throwing her life away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is being recruited by VMI. A military school was never on our radar. I'm trying to understand the difference between the service academies and the 6 sr military colleges. VMI seems more "military" than say TAM or Tech.

The school seems to offer all of the military training and commissioning as the service academies but its not a free education. DD would love a D1 school but I'm not sure this is right for her. She also has ADHD and is medicated for it. I know that's a disqualifier for the service academies but it is true for the military colleges?

She has no desire to go into the military after college. TAM and Tech seem more like regular college experiences.

I would not listen to most posters on here. Go to reddit and see what you can find

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My opinion is that of an outsider, because it is only my neighbor that I know who goes there for swimming.

This kid wanted engineering and D1 sports at an affordable price (instate VA or thereabouts in price--so places like Lafayette, Lehigh, Drexel--out of price range, VaTech/UVA out of reach academically or for swim). Here comes along a very very shiny new 40 million dollar pool and promise of both D1 competition and an engineering major. What's not to love--oh wait, someone is going to scream in your face for 6 months, even while you eat so you skip meals. Less than half of people make it through the engineering program, 10-15% drop out of the school in the first 6 months.

You can't leave overnight but you can leave on non football Saturdays or Sundays with your parents (or anyone over 23) if you don't have demerits. Football games are required and the parents get there at 5 am to set up their tents for the tailgating so they can feed their kids and their friends who don't have parents there. You live 4-5 in a room and roll up your bed every morning.

I think it will be very difficult to make it thru the sports season and engineering and the ROTC commitments. Just seems overwhelming.

This is a great example that bolsters the general tone of the other comments. If your daughter is medically unqualified and has no desire to join then do not do this, it quite frankly might traumatize her. I'm a USMA grad and watched strong people brought to their knees both physically and emotionally in the first two years. Plebe year is no joke and at VMI you are a Rat and part of the Rat line. Google it and watch some of the Youtube videos. Trust me, you have to want it to go through that in college.

VMI builds character. We need more people like this in our country. If your daughter does not want to join the Military she probably will not be happy at VMI. Would you (and she) be willing to explore the options of a career in the Military? We need more good people who are dedicated to serving our country.

VMI alums without distinguished (or in many cases any) military careers worked to hound out Cedric T. Wins, the black major general brought in to reduce the active racial abuse that was going on. They did this, among other things, by dishonestly claiming that critical race theory was being taught there (which, of course, is an idiotic criticism). Many ardent VMI alums have no character and certainly wouldn’t have a successful career in the military.

[Anonymous]

VMI is SO STRICT. I can't imagine wanting to do that just for a sport.

[Anonymous]

From my VMI grad boss "service academies are country clubs."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my VMI grad boss "service academies are country clubs."

And VMI is for people who want to cosplay soldier or just can't get into service academies or good ROTC programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my VMI grad boss "service academies are country clubs."

They ain't wrong! Lol. Watch Business Insider VMI, YouTube. for a lil taste.

[Anonymous]

VMI is not as relaxed and easy going as Annapolis or West Point. It is MORE strict and intense than the service academies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my VMI grad boss "service academies are country clubs."

+100

[Anonymous]

VMI is a fantastic school, with a lot of tradition and prestige, for a military school. I respect alumni from VMI. However, your child has to want to be at VMI, they have to be locked in, and want it. If your DD has no desire to go into the military, then why would VMI be on the radar?

If I had a DC who desired the military, and wanted the crucible to be test and forged in, then sure, I would recommend VMI and Citadel and Norwich or Corps of Cadets at VT or Texas A&M... all as places to look into...

However, that is not the case, so I don't recommend those opportunities to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) The service academy inferiority complex manifests itself everywhere.

2) read the WaPo multi part series and the independent investigation report by Barnes and Thornburg

3) the alumni network is amazingly strong. Strong in the same way that all trauma bonded persons like abused spouses can connect.

4) you are far better off doing ROTC at a civilian school if you want military.

But if you go to a service academy or have a ROTC scholarship, at a civilian school, you have to serve active duty in the military for at least 5 years after graduation, right? In that sense, VMI is a lot more flexible. Granted, it's not free tuition like the other paths, but it may be a decent option for someone getting an athletic scholarship or someone who likes the discipline and training and wants to test out a military option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My opinion is that of an outsider, because it is only my neighbor that I know who goes there for swimming.

This kid wanted engineering and D1 sports at an affordable price (instate VA or thereabouts in price--so places like Lafayette, Lehigh, Drexel--out of price range, VaTech/UVA out of reach academically or for swim). Here comes along a very very shiny new 40 million dollar pool and promise of both D1 competition and an engineering major. What's not to love--oh wait, someone is going to scream in your face for 6 months, even while you eat so you skip meals. Less than half of people make it through the engineering program, 10-15% drop out of the school in the first 6 months.

You can't leave overnight but you can leave on non football Saturdays or Sundays with your parents (or anyone over 23) if you don't have demerits. Football games are required and the parents get there at 5 am to set up their tents for the tailgating so they can feed their kids and their friends who don't have parents there. You live 4-5 in a room and roll up your bed every morning.

I think it will be very difficult to make it thru the sports season and engineering and the ROTC commitments. Just seems overwhelming.

This is a great example that bolsters the general tone of the other comments. If your daughter is medically unqualified and has no desire to join then do not do this, it quite frankly might traumatize her. I'm a USMA grad and watched strong people brought to their knees both physically and emotionally in the first two years. Plebe year is no joke and at VMI you are a Rat and part of the Rat line. Google it and watch some of the Youtube videos. Trust me, you have to want it to go through that in college.

VMI builds character. We need more people like this in our country. If your daughter does not want to join the Military she probably will not be happy at VMI. Would you (and she) be willing to explore the options of a career in the Military? We need more good people who are dedicated to serving our country.

Seems odd to pay for this privilege vs going to a service academy or just enlisting.

Yeah no one turns down a service academy to go to VMI.

Maybe someone getting a big scholarship who does not like the idea of serving in the military for 5 years after graduation.