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#4 Best Public Universities in Virginia

VMI Admission Requirements

Lexington, Virginia

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Your chances of getting into Virginia Military Institute

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

71.1%
Admission Difficulty for Virginia Military Institute
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at VMI is 71.1%.  Its admission rate is the 13th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into VMI and can you get accepted?

VMI is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 847 out of the 1,192 who applied were admitted.

Virginia Military Institute typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 42% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into VMI?

71% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Virginia Military Institute you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.65 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1200 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

VMI GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.65

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Virginia Military Institute?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into VMI are to have around a 3.65 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as VMI accepts 71% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at VMI is 3.65 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #15 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since VMI is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Virginia Military Institute students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 25.5% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.6% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.6% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.7% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.3% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

VMI SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Virginia Military Institute. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 17% of students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1105-1300

Applicants Submitting SAT 

17%
SAT Scores for Virginia Military Institute
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 535
Composite 25th Percentile 1105
SAT Scores for Virginia Military Institute
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 640
Composite 75th Percentile 1300
Average SAT Score 1200

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Virginia Military Institute?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at VMI is 1200 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1105-1300. Students who get into Virginia Military Institute score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  VMI ranks #13 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1200 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. VMI regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1105 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1105, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1010, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Virginia Military Institute is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1202, you have around a 71% chance of being admitted. A 1300 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 82% chance of getting in.

Virginia Military Institute admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1300 and Above Good >82%
1202 to 1300 Avg + 71%-82%
1105 to 1202 Avg - 56%-71%
1008 to 1105 Reach 41%-56%
Less than 1008 Low <41%
Calculate My Chances 

VMI ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for Virginia Military Institute
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Virginia Military Institute
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into VMI?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to VMI is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #22 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Virginia Military Institute.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Virginia Military Institute is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into VMI for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 71% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 84% with a 29 ACT score.

Virginia Military Institute admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >84%
25 to 29 Avg + 71%-84%
22 to 25 Avg - 59%-71%
19 to 22 Reach 45%-59%
Less than 19 Low <45%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of Virginia Military Institute freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Virginia Military Institute students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 11%
Top 25% of class 24.7%
Top 50% of class 76%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Virginia Military Institute admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 210 979 1,192
Accepted 136 710 847
Acceptance Rate 65% 73% 71%
Enrolled 52 306 358
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 38% 43% 42%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

38

Applicants have 38 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Virginia Military Institute is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Virginia Military Institute and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Virginia Military Institute Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Virginia Military Institute
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because VMI is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.65 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1200 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Virginia Military Institute often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234085 IPEDS survey data for Virginia Military Institute.

Last updated February 24, 2024