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4-Year School

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA

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Overview

VMI, The Nation's Oldest Public Military College, Educates Leaders for Both Military and Civilian Careers

Virginia Military Institute (VMI), established in 1839, is the nation's oldest state-supported military college, and the fourth-oldest technological institution in the United States. The school is committed to educating men and women in a tradition of military discipline and excellence. All students participate in an ROTC program of their choice. Military service to the country is encouraged, but commissioning is not required. Approximately half of VMI graduates choose a civilian career after graduation, and all graduates serve their community and country as leaders in the way that is most acceptable to their individual personalities and goals.

At VMI, Every Cadet is an Athlete and Every Athlete is a Cadet with a Wide Range of Athletic Opportunities

Athletics and competition are integral aspects of the Virginia Military Institute experience. As a part of VMI's commitment to helping students develop leadership skills, all students are expected to participate in sports at some level. The athletics options available to students are many. Students can choose to participate in athletics at the club or intramural levels, and they also have the option of joining one of VMI's competitive NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports teams. VMI game days provide cadets and their parents with an opportunity to gather, beginning with parades by the Corps of Cadets and followed by a tradition of tailgating and getting to know one another. Pride and companionship, as well as leadership, are fostered by the athletic tradition at VMI.

Barracks Life Is Not Dorm Life; Students in the Barracks Form Bonds as They Learn Respect and Discipline

Life in the barracks at Virginia Military Institute is one of the hallmarks of a VMI education. Vastly different from any dorm or fraternity or sorority house at traditional institutions of higher education, the barracks are known for their modest and Spartan nature. Students are provided with the bare essentials as they live with multiple roommates and only a small amount of storage space. They are expected to maintain a commitment to cleanliness and order in their living spaces. Barracks life ensures that cadets get to know one another intimately and develop respectful relationships as equals. Living with individuals from diverse backgrounds and being free from ordinary distractions are two of the benefits of the barracks style. Students are focused and motivated, and they develop lifelong bonds with one another.

Virginia Military Institute Strives for Academic Excellence in Every Field of Study

Another distinctive feature of VMI is its commitment to academic excellence. Military-oriented colleges and universities are often subject to the stereotype that science and engineering fields receive precedence at the expense of the liberal arts. In direct contradiction of this stereotype, Virginia Military Institute has consistently been ranked among the top public colleges in the nation for liberal arts by "US News & World Report." The school is committed to ensuring that cadets receive top-quality educations, no matter what their chosen field of study, because being prepared for success and leadership is equally important in every area of professional life.

Social Activities at VMI Are Part of What Makes Cadet Life a Unique, Memorable Experience

Outside the classroom, Virginia Military Institute provides numerous social events to cadets throughout the year. Like most other aspects of education at VMI, cadet life is unconventional and unique. The most distinctive of the social events at VMI is the second class Ring Figure Ball, which cadets attend in uniform, with their dates dressed in white. The ball celebrates the earning of "The Ring," a longstanding tradition. In addition, movie nights, informal dances, live music, and other activities help to keep morale high throughout each academic year.

The First-Year Experience at Virginia Military Institute is Atypical, Highly Challenging, and Highly Rewarding

At VMI, every first-year cadet is referred to as a Rat. As such, he or she undergoes a unique first-year process known as the Rat Line. The Rat Line involves strict procedures. For example, when in barracks, a rat walks at attention along a prescribed route through the barracks. The Rat Line also requires meticulousness in grooming, personal habits, and memorization of school songs and yells. The Rat system is an initiation process designed to teach students excellence, military bearing and discipline, self-control and humility, respect for authority, habits of neatness, and the history and traditions of Virginia Military Institute.

Location & Contact

Address 319 Letcher Avenue
Lexington, VA  24450
United States
Contact Office of Admissions
Email: admissions@vmi.edu
Phone: 800-767-4207
Fax: 540-464-7746

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Majors & Degrees

Biological And Biomedical Sciences Associate Bachelors
Biology/biological Sciences, General Checkmark
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services Associate Bachelors
Computer Science Checkmark
Engineering Associate Bachelors
Civil Engineering, General Checkmark
Electrical And Electronics Engineering Checkmark
Mechanical Engineering Checkmark
English Language And Literature/Letters Associate Bachelors
English Language And Literature, General Checkmark
Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics Associate Bachelors
Foreign Languages And Literatures, General Checkmark
History Associate Bachelors
History, General Checkmark
Mathematics And Statistics Associate Bachelors
Applied Mathematics, General Checkmark
Physical Sciences Associate Bachelors
Chemistry, General Checkmark
Physics, General Checkmark
Psychology Associate Bachelors
Psychology, General Checkmark
Social Sciences Associate Bachelors
Economics, General Checkmark
International Relations And Affairs Checkmark

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

1,549
Applied
990
Accepted
1,652
Enrolled
64%
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Female Admissions

277
Females Applied
171
Females Accepted
62%
Acceptance Rate
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Male Admissions

1,272
Males Applied
819
Males Accepted
64%
Acceptance Rate

Applying

40
Application Fee
3.65
Avg. high school GPA for freshman
Admission Requirements
Required Transcript of high school record
Recommended Essay
Interview
2 recommendations
Other requirements may exist (see below)
Other requirements: Statement of good standing from prior institution

Application Deadlines

Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
Fall freshmen February 1st November 1st
Out of state Fall freshmen February 1st January 1st
Early decision plan November 15th December 15th
Other early decision plan Not reported Not reported
Transfer February 1st Not reported Yes

Test Scores Accepted

Test Avg. Score 25th % Info icon 75th % Info icon
SAT Critical Reading 550 650
SAT Math 580 530 630
ACT Composite 24 22 27

Tuition & Fees

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Tuition

10,076
In-state
39,590
Out-of-state
10,076
In-district
Fees icon

Fees

10,132
Full-time student fees
10,674
Room & board
3,196
Room only
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Other Payment Considerations

Guaranteed tuition plan offered No
Tuition pre-payment plan No
Tuition payment plans offered Yes

Financial Aid

29,098
Avg. Financial Aid Package
32,462
Avg. Freshman Financial Aid Package
8,896
Avg. International Student Financial Aid Package
3,243
Avg. Loan Aid
15,462
Avg. Grant Aid
12,113
Avg. Scholarship and/or Grant Aid awarded
96% Percentage of students with need who receive financial aid
87%
Avg. Percentage of Financial Need Met
45%
Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met

Student Body

1,652
Total Undergrad students
2%
International Students
36%
Out-of-state students

Race/Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino 8.11%
Black or African American 6.17%
White or Caucasian 74.46%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0.48%
Asian 5.02%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.54%
Two or more races 3.45%
Other 0.06%

Gender

Male (86.2%)
Female (13.8%)

Campus Life

Housing

Type
College-owned housing Yes
Housing requirements Yes
Housing options
% of undergrad students who live in college housing 100%

Student Activities

Student-run campus newspaper Checkmark
Drama/theatre group Checkmark
Student-run radio station Checkmark
Student-run television station Checkmark
Marching band Checkmark
Choral groups Checkmark
Campus events:
Parades, Parents Weekend and Founders Day

Student Services

Legal services Checkmark
Health clinic Checkmark
Personal/psychological counseling Checkmark
Women's center Checkmark
International students advisor Checkmark

Student Organizations

Greek fraternities
Greek sororities
Local fraternities
Local sororities
Most popular organizations:
Newman Club, Officers Christian Fellowship, strength and fitness organizations, Promaji and Pre-Law Society

Campus Security & Safety

24-hour emergency telephone/alarm services Checkmark
24-hour patrols by trained officers Checkmark
Student patrols Checkmark
Late-night transport/escort services Checkmark
Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Checkmark
Other Campus Security & Safety:
1

Athletics

Male icon

Men's Sports

Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
Baseball Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Basketball Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Cross-country Running Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Football Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Indoor Track Checkmark Division 1 No
Lacrosse Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Riflery Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Soccer Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Swimming And Diving Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Track And Field Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Water Polo No No No
Wrestling Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Female icon

Women's Sports

Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
Baseball No No No
Basketball No No No
Cross-country Running Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Football No No No
Indoor Track Checkmark Division 1 No
Lacrosse No No No
Riflery Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Soccer Checkmark Division 1 No
Swimming And Diving Checkmark Division 1 No
Track And Field Checkmark Division 1 Checkmark
Water Polo Checkmark Division 1 No
Wrestling No No No

Faculty

217
Total Faculty
10:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-time - 147
Part-time - 70
Male - 139
Female - 78
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Virginia Military Institute
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