The official move-in day for incoming rats, Matriculation is a highlight of each academic year at VMI as the newest group to choose ‘No Ordinary College’ begins their leadership journey at VMI.

On Matriculation Day, matriculants move their belongings into barracks, attend the Matriculation Fair, and have lunch with their family in Crozet Hall (or in the City of Lexington).

After saying “goodbye” to family, matriculants form up with their company for the first time, they march into barracks to meet their cadre (fourteen upper-class cadets from each company who are responsible for the training rats undergo to become VMI cadets). Collectively, matriculants are known as a rat mass. They will not earn the status of fourth-class cadets until after breakout.

All information from the schedule of matriculation activities to 'What to Bring' to live videos on the day of will be updated and available on the Matriculation Day page and sub-pages on VMI.edu. Typcially updated in May each year.