Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304 Click here to view VMI’s Non-Discrimination Statement.
I n s t r u c t i o n s f o r a p p l i c a n t s
MAKING APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
VMI seeks to admit young men and women who aspire to both
an academic degree and a military commission as the hallmarks
of a complete VMI education. Applicants are normally not less
than sixteen (16) or more than twenty-two (22) years of age at
matriculation and may not be married and/or the parent of a child.
An age waiver may be granted for an applicant who has served on
active duty in the armed forces, or if other circumstances dictate a
waiver of the age policy.
We conduct a holistic review of each application when
determining eligibility for admission and consider many factors
in the admissions decision process. In addition to evaluating the
traditional measures of academic success, other important factors,
such as character, motivation, service and physical tness are
viewed as being very important. Applicants are encouraged to
submit any information they consider benecial for our admissions
sta to know when conducting the application review.
Please read carefully the following instructions. Answer all
questions concisely and carefully.
To apply for admission to VMI:
❑ Complete the application.
❑ Submit the $40 application fee payable to VMI. We honor the
ACT, College Board and/or NACAC fee waiver requests for
students who meet the criteria.
❑ Have your guidance counselor complete the Secondary School
Report, attach an official transcript, and mail to VMI with your
application.
❑ Guidance Counselor/School Administrator recommendation
form (Counselor or school official recommendation is mandatory.)
❑ Complete the Virginia In-State Tuition Form if you are an applicant
who claims legal domicile in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
❑ Transfer students must complete the College Report form
❑ For the 2020-21 application cycle, VMI will be Test Optional,
meaning candidates do not have to submit either an SAT or
ACT score. e absence of test scores will not be viewed as a
negative in the application review process. However, candidates
who do wish to submit a score should use the SAT code 5858
and/or ACT code 4418.
❑ Applicants whose rst language is not English must also
take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
High school guidance counselors should be consulted for
information. Outside the United States, American embassies,
consulates, oces of the U.S. Information Service, or other
educational agencies can provide information. If information is
not locally available, foreign applicants should write to TOEFL,
Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540
You may apply online by accessing the VMI home page at
www.vmi.edu.
Personal interviews (optional)—
Applicants are strongly
encouraged to contact a VMI alumnus and request a
personal interview. Refer to the Alumni Resources Web page
at http://www.vmi.edu/admissions-and-aid/talk-to-us/speak-
with-an-alumnus/ to locate an alumnus in your area. Many
alumni have oered to serve as points of contact and sources
of information to applicants and prospective cadets. If you
need additional assistance locating an alumnus in your area,
please contact the Office of Admissions.
Personal statement (optional)—Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit a statement indicating why you are
interested in VMI and how our educational system can help
you achieve your personal and educational goals.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
❑ Receipt of your application initiates your file. If you do not
receive an acknowledgement within one month of submission,
please write or call 800/767-4207.
❑ Your midterm grades should be sent to us by February 1, or as
soon as available.
❑ Early decision deadline is November 15, and these decisions
will be mailed no later than December 15. Regular decision
deadline is February 1. Applications will be accepted on a space-
available basis after February 1. Applicants deferred from early
decision and regular decision applicants will be notified on a
rolling basis.
❑ All scholarship or walk-on athletes are required to register with
the NCAA Eligibility Center for determining eligibility. Obtain
a Student Release Form from your counselor.
HOW APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED
Decisions—Applicants meeting the November 15 deadline
for early decision will be notified no later than December 15.
Beginning January 1, on a rolling basis, decisions will be made on
all applications for regular decision and those applicants deferred
from early decision. A waiting list may be necessary. Additionally,
due to the physical rigors of VMI, applicants may be evaluated
based upon their height and weight. Please refer to the Prepare
section of the Admissions home page for the Fitness Standards
(height/weight chart) and further information.
Reservations—Accepted applicants will be sent conditional
appoint ments pending establishment of a reservation. A reservation
requires submission of a satisfactory medical report, a signed accep-
tance of the appointment, and payment of a $300 advance deposit.
Conditionally appointed applicants must also maintain satisfactory
academic and disiplinary/criminal conduct. e advance deposit
is deducted from the total charges for the first year of enrollment.
It is refundable if requested in writing before May 1, or if the
applicant is physically disqualified. Medical approval is based on
stringent guidelines that insure all new cadets can succeed with
the rigors of VMI. Department of Defense Instruction (DoD
Directive 6130.03) is used as a baseline but not strictly followed
in every respect. [Links to this document can be found on the
VMI Web site (www.vmi.edu) Admissions home page under Apply
Online.] For more information, please contact the VMI physician
at 540/464-7218. Note: In accordance with the VMI Marriage
and Parenthood Policy, any cadet who marries or incurs the
responsibilities of parenthood is expected to resign from the Corps.
Upon matriculation, and upon return to VMI each fall, all cadets
shall conrm their knowledge and understanding of this policy.”
