re: Graduates of Service Academies or military colleges

I just spent a year coaching lacrosse at VMI.

Shoot me an email user name @ gmail & I can give you some recent experience info.



VMI is an excellent option for a kid who might not do well in a typical college environment or has a strong desire to serve & head into OCS. The rigid schedule provides for minimal opportunities to screw around. Also, approximately 50% of the VMI student body goes on to enlist/military career. The other 50% go on to tremendous careers in the private sector. And having half of their classmates as military contacts for future potential partnerships is an unbelievable advantage.

The total number of NARPs (Non Athletic Regular People) that attend VMI is astounding. Especially during their Rat Year aka "Ratline" or "Ratmass". It's amazing seeing these types go thru the Ratline as uncoordinated weirdos. They are so uncoordinated that it is painful to watch. But they work through it. And by the time they are they get to Breakout they are damn strong individuals or they've quit/drop out. The transformation is something to behold. Every single Rat parent I spoke with after Breakout says the same thing: "I don't recognize my child. In a GOOD way."

Also, the Honor Code at VMI is phenomenal. And taken more seriously than anything else during the years at VMI. Cheating & lying is a non-tolerence offense & you will be booted out swiftly & shamefully. There's a whole ritual for when a cadet is kicked out. It's quite the ordeal.

W&L is 1 small street away from VMI & provides a total Jekyll + Hyde aspect of DIII/liberal arts College lifestyle. Lexington is a SMALL town with little nightlife. But a brief 1 hr drive to Charleston/UVA.