As the nation's oldest state-supported military college, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is renowned for combining a rigorous undergraduate education with an uncompromising military framework and honor system. Academically, the institute is celebrated for its highly ranked programs in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as international studies and history. Campus life revolves entirely around the Corps of Cadets, where all students wear uniforms, participate in ROTC, live in historic barracks, and bond through shared trials like the demanding freshman "Rat Line" initiation. While commissioning into the armed forces upon graduation is optional, this distinctive, immersive environment instills exceptional discipline and leadership skills that prepare graduates for top-tier civilian and military careers alike.
Wikipedia:The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is a public senior military college in Lexington, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 as America's first state-sponsored and -supported military college and is the oldest public senior military college in the United States. In keeping with its founding principles and unlike any other senior military college in the United States, VMI enrolls cadets only and awards bachelor's degrees exclusively. The institute grants degrees in 14 disciplines in engineering, science, and the liberal arts.
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Virginia Military Institute accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
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