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Postgraduate Scholarships & Pre-Professional Programs
VMI’s historic mission to education “citizen-soldiers” means that cadets are uniquely positioned to compete for prestigious national and international scholarships.
Our 11 Rhodes Scholars—and numerous others, including Gates Cambridge, Marshall, Goldwater, and Fulbright Scholars—exemplify the value of the VMI experience.
We also send an extraordinary number of graduates to top graduate programs in law and the health professions.
Interested in finding out how your goals might align with one of these opportunities? Explore the programs available and contact the faculty sponsor to learn more.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Marshall Scholarship
Overview: The program is named after a VMI alum, General George C. Marshall, Class of 1901. It was founded in 1953 by the British Parliament as an expression of gratitude for America’s help in the postwar recovery and is designed to strengthen Anglo-American relations by enabling America’s future leaders to study in the UK.
Fast Fact: Covers the cost of tuition, travel, and living expenses for either a one-year or two-year master’s program at any university in the UK.
Fulbright Scholarship
Overview: In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds.
Fast Fact: Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad.
Rhodes Scholarship
Overview: The Rhodes Scholarship has a proud legacy, and VMI has been part of that legacy from the early years of the award, with two cadets from the Class of 1921 chosen and nine more since.
Fast Fact: Funds all course costs and provides a living stipend for a graduate degree at Oxford University.
Truman Scholarship
Overview: The Truman Foundation awards the Truman Scholarship, the premier graduate fellowship in the United States for those pursuing careers as public service leaders.
Fast Fact: Seeks scholars who plan to have an impact on a particular issue or a particular community.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Overview: This highly prestigious and competitive award is granted to up to 300 students nationwide. VMI must nominate the applicants and may only support a limited number of applications each year.
Fast Fact: Provides up to $7,500 per year for rising college juniors and seniors in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering who are interested in pursuing careers in research.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Overview: The Gates Cambridge Trust provides approximately 80 full-cost scholarships to the most highly qualified applicants to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
Fast Fact: The scholarship covers not only the full-cost of studying at Cambridge but also discretionary funding for academic development, fieldwork, and particular family needs.
I am grateful to the VMI faculty, staff, and cadets of the Department of International Studies and Political Science whose inspiration set me on this journey. Throughout the course of my four years at VMI, I developed a deep passion for the study and practice of international affairs and a love of learning that has made all the difference in my life.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Law
Overview: The Pre-Law Society hosts information panels and coordinates trips to courthouses, law schools, and other events. The Pre-Law Advisor serves cadets seeking to attend law school by assisting with the application process and giving general advice for future applicants. In addition, cadets may join the Phi Delta Phi national honors society.
Fast Fact: The Pre-Law Society and Pre-Law Advisor are great resources to help cadets create a plan and build the strongest possible profile for when the time to apply to law school comes.
Health Professions
Overview: The Pre-Professional Health Sciences Club aims to offer opportunities for cadets to learn more about various health professions and requirements for admittance into the various graduate programs.
Fast Fact: The Health Science adviser assists developing health care professionals in taking the appropriate undergraduate courses to meet the prerequisites to increase competitiveness in various health professions.
We just try to get an experience for newer members or people that aren’t quite sure how law school works,” he said. “I think it's to get everybody introduced to it, see if it's even for you. It's not necessarily with joining the Pre-Law Society, anybody expects you to be a lawyer. It's more to get people interested, see if this is something that they enjoy.