Apply to the Corps of Cadets

The application cycle for admission to the Institute opens each year on August 1 and enrollment occurs only at the start of the following academic year in August. Applicants are normally not less than 16 or more than 22 years old at matriculation, must be in good physical condition, and may not be married or a parent. A one-year age waiver may be granted for an applicant who has served on active duty in the armed forces or for other extenuating circumstances. 

Applying to VMI is the same whether you are a high school senior, a transfer student, or an international student.

Readmissions of former cadets is achieved through the Miller Academic Center and not through the Admissions office.

Cadet at laptop, cadets marching, and EMTs at VMI, a military college in Lexington, Virginia

 

 

Collage of cadets at VMI, a military college in Lexington, Virginia

Don't Do Ordinary!

Prepare your materials

Before you begin your application, review the Instructions and Checklist of Required and Supplemental Documents as well as any of the guidelines or requirements for the following groups that may apply to you:

Icon of diploma and graduation cap High School Applicants

Icon of two buildings with arrow between indication transfer Transfer Students

Globe Icon International Applicants

Complete your application

Our admissions team is available at any step of your journey to answer questions and provide additional information. Best of luck!

Icon of form and pencilApplication Steps and Instructions

Icon of paper and magnifying glass, used to signal online applications access Continue a Saved Application

Icons of documents with paperclip Upload Your Required Documents

 

 

Critical Dates & Deadlines


August 1 Online Applications Open

VMI's application opens for all high school students in their senior year, international students, and transfer students.

November 15 Early Decision Deadline

Early Decision deadline. Applicants who submit all supporting documents by November 15 will receive their appointment decision no later than December 15.

February 1

Priority Decision deadline. Appointment decision priority will be given to applicants who submit all supporting documents by Feb 1.

 

NOTE: Applications and supporting documents submitted after February 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis after early decision and priority applicants have been reviewed.


Application Process and Instructions

Congratulations on taking the first step towards joining our storied Institute and the Corps of Cadets. Our Team is here to assist you along your application journey!

VMI is currently not on the Common App. The VMI application is conducted internally through the VMI portal. The application is available now for enrolling for Fall 2023.

Please review this step-by-step guide for navigating the online application process before proceeding: VMI Online Application Instructions

  • Online Application -
    1. Create a Post View account.
    2. Begin a new application or continue a saved application in Post View using the credentials emailed to you after the creation of your account. Remember to add @mail.vmi.edu after your assigned User ID.
  • You also have the option to download and mail a Paper Application .

If you have further questions before getting started, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office at: 540-464-7211 or email admissions@vmi.edu.

The following documents can be submitted electronically through upload to our secure site or via mail: Virginia Military Institute, 319 Letcher Ave., Lexington, VA 24450

Checklist of Required and Supplemental Documents

Please note that once submitted, it will take several days for these documents to be processed and appear as being “Received” in the applicant’s Post View Account. To ensure the readability of your document, please convert the document to a PDF file before uploading it.


Notice Regarding Standardized Tests, 2023-24

For the 2022-23 application cycle, VMI will be Test Optional, meaning candidates do not have to submit either an SAT or ACT score. The 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 first language (mother tongue) is not English are still required to take and submit scores for the College Board Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

In addition to completing the standard FAFSA application, applicants must also complete the VMI Statement of Educational Purpose electronically through Post View or in paper format.

The Office of Financial Aid is the best resource for up-to-date instructions, requirements and deadlines.

There are a number of scholarships available from VMI and other sources. Some are handled without separate application, but others, such as merit scholarships and ROTC scholarships require additional documents and information, and come with their own eligibility requirements separate from admissions requirements.

Prospective cadets may also find additional financial aid information from the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid. The U.S. Department of Labor also provides a Scholarship Finder tool to search more than 8,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities.

Call to Duty Scholarships - an additional funding opportunity available to qualified members of the incoming Class of 2027. Learn More.

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.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders