Prepare to Join the Corps of Cadets - Admissions and Aid - Virginia Military Institute
Source: https://www.vmi.edu/admissions-and-aid/prepare
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Prepare to Join the Corps of Cadets - Admissions and Aid - Virginia Military Institute
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Prepare to Join the Corps of Cadets
VMI wants all incoming students to succeed. To do so, they must be physically and mentally prepared for the rigorous challenges of the Institute.
ACADEMICS
It is important that you begin practicing good study habits and self-discipline early. Putting time and effort into your academics will help you excel each year and take courses that will help you be competitive in the college admission process.
VMI encourages you to take strong college preparatory courses. Applicants are required to complete 16 academic units, with a recommended distribution of:
SUBJECT
English
Algebra
Geometry
Advanced Math
Social Studies
Lab Science
UNITS
4
2
1
1
3
3
Additionally, the Institute recommends, but does not require, a second language. A well-rounded candidate for acceptance will also have at least 2 units of electives.
VMI also awards academic credits through
AP Credit
and
IB Credit
.
If you are
transferring from another college
, or applying as an
international student
(first-year or college transfer), be sure to review any additional academic preparations and requirements.
VMI is unique in many ways, and one of these is the fact that applicants declare their intended major at the time of application. The Institute provides a variety of resources to help you decide on your academic path. These include information about each
academic department
, a detailed
course catalog
, access to
Focus2 self-assessment tools
for exploring how your interests match career paths, and access to a customized
MyMajors account
to find your best-fit major(s) at VMI.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
The
physical demands
at VMI require cadets to be in good health. Individuals planning to apply to the Institute should review VMI’s weight and body fat standards and start training to be physically prepared. Building a high state of physical fitness takes time. A matriculant should be able to complete the following when they arrive on their first day at VMI.
Minimum Standards for New Cadets
NEW CADET
PUSH-UPS
SIT-UPS
RUN
PLANKS
APFT
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE
MEN
49 in 2 minutes
59 in 2 minutes
2 miles in 15 min. 12 sec.
2 min. 28 sec.
WOMEN
25 in 2 minutes
59 in 2 minutes
2 miles in 18 min. 06 sec.
2 min. 28 sec.
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
USMC (2)
Fitness at VMI is further measured once cadets enroll by the VMI Fitness Test (VFT) outlined in
General Order 31
, which is administered twice each semester. Finally, cadets are expected to meet ROTC-specific requirements. Each ROTC program conducts two or more service-specific fitness tests each year and has service-specific height/weight and body fat standards of their own.
ATHLETE CONSIDERATIONS
Scholarship and walk-on athletes are required to register with the
NCAA Eligibility Center
for determining eligibility. You may obtain a Student Release Form from your high school counselor.
Did you know?
You can learn more about the Institute and its cadets by reviewing the
Class Profile
and the
Institute Profile from SCHEV
, but the best way to learn about the Institute is to
attend an open house
or schedule a
personal interview
with an admissions counselor.
Worried about the cost of attending VMI?
Financial aid is able to offset a large portion of the cost of attendance for qualified applicants, and 84% of the Corps of Cadets receives some form of this aid each year on average.
For those on
ROTC scholarship
who are also selected for
Call to Duty scholarships
, the
cost drops to $3,600
.
Connect with financial aid
today for more information.
Contact
P: 540-464-7211
P: 800-767-4207
F: 540-464-7746
admissions@vmi.edu
Admissions Office
319 Letcher Avenue
Mailing Address:
For USPS:
NAME (If to an individual)
Admissions Office
510 Burma Road
P.O. Box 1839
Lexington, VA, 24450
For Other Carriers:
NAME (If to an individual)
Admissions Office
510 Burma Road
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA, 24450
VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders
Skip to main content
MyVMI
Offices A-Z
Calendar
Give
Visit
Talk to Us
Prepare
Apply
Costs and Aid
Appointed Students
Our Graduates
Staff
Prepare to Join the Corps of Cadets
VMI wants all incoming students to succeed. To do so, they must be physically and mentally prepared for the rigorous challenges of the Institute.
ACADEMICS
It is important that you begin practicing good study habits and self-discipline early. Putting time and effort into your academics will help you excel each year and take courses that will help you be competitive in the college admission process.
VMI encourages you to take strong college preparatory courses. Applicants are required to complete 16 academic units, with a recommended distribution of:
SUBJECT
English
Algebra
Geometry
Advanced Math
Social Studies
Lab Science
UNITS
4
2
1
1
3
3
Additionally, the Institute recommends, but does not require, a second language. A well-rounded candidate for acceptance will also have at least 2 units of electives.
VMI also awards academic credits through
AP Credit
and
IB Credit
.
If you are
transferring from another college
, or applying as an
international student
(first-year or college transfer), be sure to review any additional academic preparations and requirements.
VMI is unique in many ways, and one of these is the fact that applicants declare their intended major at the time of application. The Institute provides a variety of resources to help you decide on your academic path. These include information about each
academic department
, a detailed
course catalog
, access to
Focus2 self-assessment tools
for exploring how your interests match career paths, and access to a customized
MyMajors account
to find your best-fit major(s) at VMI.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
The
physical demands
at VMI require cadets to be in good health. Individuals planning to apply to the Institute should review VMI’s weight and body fat standards and start training to be physically prepared. Building a high state of physical fitness takes time. A matriculant should be able to complete the following when they arrive on their first day at VMI.
Minimum Standards for New Cadets
NEW CADET
PUSH-UPS
SIT-UPS
RUN
PLANKS
APFT
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE for
17-21 Age Group
70% SCORE
MEN
49 in 2 minutes
59 in 2 minutes
2 miles in 15 min. 12 sec.
2 min. 28 sec.
WOMEN
25 in 2 minutes
59 in 2 minutes
2 miles in 18 min. 06 sec.
2 min. 28 sec.
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
U.S. ARMY STANDARD (1)
USMC (2)
Fitness at VMI is further measured once cadets enroll by the VMI Fitness Test (VFT) outlined in
General Order 31
, which is administered twice each semester. Finally, cadets are expected to meet ROTC-specific requirements. Each ROTC program conducts two or more service-specific fitness tests each year and has service-specific height/weight and body fat standards of their own.
ATHLETE CONSIDERATIONS
Scholarship and walk-on athletes are required to register with the
NCAA Eligibility Center
for determining eligibility. You may obtain a Student Release Form from your high school counselor.
Did you know?
You can learn more about the Institute and its cadets by reviewing the
Class Profile
and the
Institute Profile from SCHEV
, but the best way to learn about the Institute is to
attend an open house
or schedule a
personal interview
with an admissions counselor.
Worried about the cost of attending VMI?
Financial aid is able to offset a large portion of the cost of attendance for qualified applicants, and 84% of the Corps of Cadets receives some form of this aid each year on average.
For those on
ROTC scholarship
who are also selected for
Call to Duty scholarships
, the
cost drops to $3,600
.
Connect with financial aid
today for more information.
Contact
P: 540-464-7211
P: 800-767-4207
F: 540-464-7746
admissions@vmi.edu
Admissions Office
319 Letcher Avenue
Mailing Address:
For USPS:
NAME (If to an individual)
Admissions Office
510 Burma Road
P.O. Box 1839
Lexington, VA, 24450
For Other Carriers:
NAME (If to an individual)
Admissions Office
510 Burma Road
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA, 24450
VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders