Transfer Policy

General 

Applicants are normally not less than sixteen (16) or more than twenty-two (22) years of age at matriculation and may not be married and/or the parent of a child.

Residence 

At least two years (four semesters) of residence at VMI are required regardless of the number of course credits approved for transfer. At least 50 percent of degree requirements must be completed at VMI.

For additional information please contact the registrar's office. Ph:  (540) 464-7213 or email: Contact the Registrar

Decisions 

The VMI Admissions Committee determines whether or not the transfer applicant is qualified for admission. If admitted, academic department heads determine the acceptability of courses taken at the previous institution(s).

Secondary school record 

All transfer applicants must submit an official transcript of their secondary school record. This should include standardized test scores (SAT I or ACT). For those students whose first language is not English, the College Board Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. Importance of the secondary school record will vary depending on how long the student has been enrolled in an accredited college program of study and its course content. In general, it is expected that the secondary school record will meet the VMI entrance standards. A one-page essay is optional for all students.

College record 

To be competitive for appointment, transfer students should have at least a "B" (3.2 or a 4.0 scale) cumulative quality point average on all courses attempted. In addition, they must be in good standing with respect to their academic and conduct records and eligible to return to the previous college/university, which must be accredited.

Credit transfer 

Credit transfer will require a grade of “C” or better in the course without regard to grades achieved on other courses of the same sequence or the average grade for the sequence. Credit transfer will also require that content of the course be acceptable by the appropriate VMI curricular head toward fulfillment of baccalaureate degree requirements in the curriculum.

Transfer courses that can be applied to degree requirements at VMI are determined by the curriculum selected. Transfer students are encouraged to review curriculum requirements in the VMI Catalogue to ensure appropriate course selection. Nor more than one-half of the total hours required for VMI graduation may be transferred. Quality points are not transferable. Quality points earned at other colleges before transfer to VMI are not counted in the computation of the 2.0 quality point average required for VMI graduation.

Those students enrolled in another college/university must submit an official transcript and catalogue in order to have these courses evaluated by the appropriate academic department head. Students enrolled in such courses offered by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) are directed to view the VCCS course listing to determine transferability of credits prior to enrolling in any course. Foreign students are encouraged to have their transcripts evaluated by a company providing foreign credential services to ensure the maximum number of credits transfer.

All others should send a copy of the college catalogue with the course(s) you intend to take to 

Transfer Coordinator
VMI Admissions Office
Lexington, VA 24450-0304

A summary report of transfer credit will be mailed to individuals after the applicant has been appointed.

Class standing 

Transfer students are classified academically the same as entering first-time students (fourth class) until they return for their second year at VMI. At that time they may request reclassification based on the total number of semester hours earned and prevailing academic standards for the upper classes.

Waiver of transferable credits 

An applicant may waive transferable credits and follow a regular fourth class (freshman) curriculum, but exercise of this option does not exempt the student from meeting all entrance standards for transfer applicants.

ROTC credits 

If the applicant is a transfer student and desires to pursue an Army commission, he/she can receive credit for the AROTC Basic Course (1st/2nd year) by attending a four-week Leadership Training Camp at Ft. Knox, KY.

For NROTC, 1st/2nd years of training may be fulfilled by attending a seven-week summer program at the Naval Science Institute. Generally, NROTC credit is not given for AROTC or AFROTC training. The Professor of Naval Science can review records and seek waivers, where appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.

Air Force requirements for the AFROTC General Military Course (1st/2nd year) may be waived by attending a six-week Air Force Field Training program or accredited for honorable military service, Junior AFROTC, or transferred from other AFROTC programs.

For additional information on each service’s specific requirements, please contact the individual ROTC offices. Transfer students may also arrange to take 1st/2nd-year Basic ROTC courses simultaneously at VMI if they lack credit for the first year.

Matriculation of transfers 

Accepted transfer applicants are matriculated only at the beginning of the academic year in August. Mid-year transfer is not possible.