LEXINGTON, Va. Sept. 4, 2024 — They say nothing can prepare you for the Rat Line, but there are ways to ease into the rigors of Virginia Military Institute. One option is for incoming rats to participate in the Summer Transition Program (STP). You’re able to get a class under your belt while familiarizing yourself with post. 

Held the summer before rats matriculate, STP gives the opportunities to get a head start on academics and physical fitness. The four-week voluntary program allows participants to earn credits for one academic class and become familiar with VMI — living in barracks, physical training, eating in Crozet Hall, and taking classes.  

Zachary Richardson '28 wanted to knock out a biology class. He was drawn to VMI for its Army ROTC program, plus the size of the school was a huge deciding factor for him. 

“I was blown away by everything offered here, the small class sizes, the integrity, and the Honor Code was really admiring,” the history major said. 

Once he was accepted, he figured STP would be a good first step.  

“Those four weeks were good for me mentally, adjusting and getting ready for what was coming in August," he said. “Meeting a lot of my brother rats in the summer was really cool, because on Matriculation Day, I recognized so many people. It was a big advantage and a big motivator. Like, I can make it through this, I've got already friends here.”

He said getting a class out of the way over the summer will help with his academic load this semester. Also being on post for those weeks allowed him to gain some overall knowledge about the Institute and free access to places before facing more restrictions as a rat. He knows where his classes are, he’s familiar with faculty and staff on post, plus he even met some cadre. He was also able to meet with the regimental band commander and join band company.  

“I basically joined band company and knew what company was going to be in before Matriculation Day,” he said. “That was a cool thing to learn and figure out.”

The physical aspect of STP was unmatchable of what he endured during Matriculation Week. But, participating in STP and getting used to working out daily helped introduce him to that routine. The intensity was elevated once he joined the Rat Line. It was a bit of a shock to Richardson.  

“I was here in STP walking around like I owned the place, and now I’m the lowest form, not even in existence. I'm a rat, right?” he said. “I think I was motivated to come here. I had prepared, so physically I didn't feel too challenged by Matriculation Week. It was more the lack of sleep and just the big shift in lifestyle. It was a big shock to be woken up by a big loudspeaker and your cadre coming in and banging on the door ... the stress level was something I was not used to. I was kind of just like taking it one meal at a time.”

Denasia Owens ’28 took precalculus during STP. VMI appealed to her because it was a more structured learning environment that incorporated the military aspect. Owens, a mechanical engineering major, felt like STP helped with the physical aspect, especially walking around post up and down hills. But it didn’t prepare her mentally as much. STP was a little less formal, she said. 

“One part that is excluded is the yelling, having someone in your face,” she said.

Owens said that the staff from STP can now serve as a safe place for her since she’s familiar with them. 

"There are still some people that I can be like, ‘Hey, I know you,’ even though you're an upperclassman, I can still come talk to you, because we already know each other outside of Matriculation Day,” she said. 

It was Owen Johns’ '28 father’s idea to do STP. The international studies major said he wanted to get more conditioning over the summer and take a math class. 

“The course really helped, because it took one course off my schedule, so it gives me more time to focus on other classes that I have,” he said. “Along with that, the fitness, even though it was very relaxed, it still helped, like getting used to the VMI Fitness Test and all the other components that we have to do as rats.”

Modern languages major Bailey Pellegrini '28 liked VMI’s commitment to having a focused program. She didn’t attend an open house prior to being accepted into the Institute, so she thought STP would be the proper way to get an introduction. She said it allowed her to get to know people coming in. Pellegrini did echo what other rats said in terms of the physical demands; STP doesn’t dive full force into the physicality of what Matriculation Week will be like. 

“I'm not an athlete, and I'm not here for the physical aspect of it. I know that I'm going to shine in my academics,” she said. "I feel like it was a lot more challenging because I'm not used to the repetitive things.”

Maj. Katie Baur, associate professor for the Department of Human Performance and Wellness, said the STP program is distinctly positive and focuses on personal growth. 

"While nothing can truly prepare incoming rats for the VMI experience, I do believe that our STP-ers come into matriculation with a bit more confidence and familiarity with their surroundings. I look forward to being involved with this program each summer,” she said. 

With STP and Matriculation Week under their belts, these rats feel like they’re moving forward. 

“The days feel long, but the weeks go by fast. It wasn't too bad, if I am 100% honest,” Richardson said. “It’s definitely an experience I'll never forget.” 

 Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE