<p>I am an international student, I was part of the Class of 2016 of the Virginia Military Institute, and enrolled in August of 2012. </p>
<p>However, I had to leave the school just about a week into enrollment, as I was not 100% prepared for the physical toughness and simply opted to give up, out of stress and several panic attacks. I did not receive any academic or disciplinary suspensions or dismissals; I just made the decision of leaving the place myself.</p>
<p>Now I am currently studying my Year 12 in another nation (I did not complete my Year 12 when I applied to US colleges), and I am planning to start a new round of applications for fall admission in 2014. VMI is also in my target list, and I want to start all over again and reapply as an international student freshman. </p>
<p>My question is that judging by my past history at VMI, will I be eligible to apply again as a freshman? More importantly, will my application credentials be re-evaluated as a new freshman applicant? This is because the office at VMI still holds my records, and that they may reject me outright instead of considering my new application. I was rejected last month in my readmission application for Fall 2017, due to the Institute Doctor’s concern over my panic attacks during training. I’m worried that if I lodge a new application this year, they may just take a look at my old portfolio and judge my eligibility based on that portfolio alone.</p>
<p>FYI, I did not commence in any academic work during my brief time at VMI last year. I quit during a time known as Hell Week, in which new students are prepared for the VMI lifestyle by engaging in a series of tough training for 7 days before classes begin. </p>
<p>Please help me out in this! Thanks!</p>
<p>You should contact the school’s office for information regarding this. Most schools consider you a student once you have enrolled, and allow their students to take a voluntary leave of absence for any reason at any time. If this is the case, then you just need to let the right people know you wish to come back now. At least at my undergrad institution, this was as simple as filling out some paperwork, paying a nominal administrative fee, and your account was reactivated and you could register for classes again. But once again, look at the school’s student handbook and contact their office for more details.</p>
<p>My act is not classified as a voluntary leave of absence, and VMI does not permit me to leave under that principle, unless I’m part of the armed forces and I’ve been called for duty. I chose to leave and terminate my status as a student there, although my records still remain. I can apply for readmission if I want to return, which only involves filling up a few forms and getting a few signatures. I tried doing that once and was rejected for panic attacks, which is totally explainable (did the explanation in an appeal and got another rejection notice couple days ago). Now I’m thinking of applying right from scratch, with submission of SAT/ACT scores, recs and all. I wonder if that will make a change?</p>
<p>Since your recent application for readmission was denied on medical grounds, you need to find out what you would need to do in order to get medical approval. It is possible that you will not be able to have that lifted, so spend some time developing a solid back-up plan. VMI may not be a good choice for you.</p>
<p>I tried explaining to VMI that my panic attacks were caused by my physical inadequacy, and that I was remedying the situation by working to improve my physical strength and stamina. They still rejected me. I honestly have little to no idea, right now, on how to prove to them that my panic attacks will not be an obstacle to my time at VMI in the long run.</p>
<p>Well if they will not allow your return (for whatever reason), then yes, the correct next step would be to apply again this coming cycle as a freshmen. Most schools will not consider you a transfer since you do not have any college level academic credits so you should apply for freshmen admission.</p>
<p>WuLabsWuTecH -</p>
<p>In this particular case, I doubt that making a new application would help at all. This student is well known to the VMI admissions offices. The only solution is to address the issue about mental health directly with the VMI medical staff. Without that clearance, the application will almost certainly go nowhere. </p>
<p>chukahleong -</p>
<p>Kick VMI to the curb. Apply to a whole new list.</p>
<p>It may be hard to give up your dream of VMI, but it is time to move on. Re-applying as a freshman will not yield a different result from the one you just received on appeal. Look at this as an opportunity for a fresh start somewhere else.</p>