2024 Quick Start Guide for New Cadets
Congratulations on your offer of admission to Virginia Tech and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets! You will move in on Friday, Aug. 16.
This guide will take you through the next steps to become a cadet.
If you checked “Yes” to “Do you wish to enroll in the Corps?” on your application, you will be enrolled in the Corps of Cadets if you accept your offer of admission.
Still not sure? Visit us on campus.
Spend the Day/Night: This spring, virtual and in-person sessions are available. Register online.
- Feb. 19: Spend the Day
- March 25: Spend the Night
- March 28: Spend the Night
- April 1: Spend the Night
- April 4: Spend the Night
- April 11: Spend the Night
Corps/ROTC Information Session: Virtual and in-person sessions are available this spring. Register online.
Hokie Focus: This open house for admitted students is April 6-7. Hear from your college or department of choice, tour campus, learn about campus resources, and learn more about the Corps of Cadets leader development program. Registration will open during the spring semester. You’ll need the identification number included with your admission offer letter.
Already sure? Here’s what you do next.
Create your Virginia Tech PID. Your university email will be YourPID@vt.edu, so choose wisely.
Allow 24 hours before you complete the remainder of this checklist.
Enroll in the university’s 2-Factor Authentication with Duo. You will be prompted to enroll when you login with your PID and password. Download the Duo Mobile app on your smartphone and enroll the device.
Add your Virginia Tech email to the phone you will bring to campus.
You are expected to check your email daily. Always email university officials from your university account using proper etiquette, including a greeting and your full name in the signature line.
Be sure to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Virginia Tech School Code is 003754.
The FAFSA 2024-25 deadline to have the maximum scholarship opportunity is Jan. 22, 2024. Detailed information is with the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid.
The Corps of Cadets offers multiple scholarship opportunities.
Other merit scholarships are available through the university's Scholarship Central. To find scholarships for cadets, search with “Corps.” Most of the scholarships’ deadlines to apply are January 22, 2024.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 guarantees individuals’ rights to access their academic records. Read the disclosure.
- Go to Virginia Tech’s homepage. Go to “Resources for...” and choose “Current Students.” Then under “Tools” choose “HokieSPA.”
- Log in with your PID and password.
- From the list, choose “Hokie SPA,” then “Information for New Students.”
While in Hokie SPA, you should:
- Update and then confirm your emergency contact address
- Sign up for VT Alerts
- Read and confirm the Self-Disclosure of Arrest/Conviction
- Read and confirm the Student Financial Responsibility
All cadets are required to live on campus. The Corps currently lives in three buildings. Pearson Hall East, Pearson Hall West, and Upper Quad Hall North are all located on Upper Quad.
Complete your housing and dining contracts once they become available at the Star Rez Portal.
Cadets are required to complete a housing contract.
Contracts should be completed by May 1, 2024. The final deadline is June 1, 2024.
The Corps will make room assignments for all cadets by Aug. 2. You will be assigned roommates at random.
How to use Canvas
1. Open the university’s Canvas site.
2. Log in with your PID and password using 2-Factor Authentication.
3. Choose “courses” from the left column.
4. Then choose “VTCC2028/ROTC Paperwork - Fall 2024”
Immunization history
Every Virginia Tech student must meet state immunization requirements. This is a university-wide requirement. Do not send your immunizations forms to the Corps of Cadets or the ROTC units.
New cadet paperwork
New cadet paperwork is due June 15.
You must complete your own paperwork. Do not allow a family member to complete it for you. However, if you will be younger than 18 on Aug. 16, your parent or guardian must also sign.
All new cadets must also complete the Corps medical paperwork, even if DODMERB-qualified.
Do not email your medical paperwork to anyone.
Step 1: Canvas
Log into Canvas. Choose “VTCC2028/ROTC Paperwork - Fall 2024."
Step 2: Corps medical paperwork
Under “Assignments,” read the instructions of how to complete your Corps physical.
Make an appointment for a physical with your doctor.
Fill out the medical history and take it with you to your appointment. Your doctor will need to sign both the medical history and the medical examination.
Keep your original medical paperwork because you may have to submit it to your desired ROTC program as well.
Step 3: Complete All New Cadet Assignments on Canvas
Other required Corps forms are listed under “Assignments,” including signing up for a time to arrive on Aug. 16.
The Corps will offer 15 one-day, in-person orientation & uniform fitting sessions from July 8-26. All new cadets are highly encouraged to attend. You will be fitted for your uniforms, receive your boots and dress shoes, and complete any missing Corps and ROTC paperwork. You and your family can take a tour of a new cadet room and hear from the commandant.
You will be able to sign up for your desired date as an assignment in Canvas.
International students: A domestic student arriving from abroad or an international student requiring a visa to attend Virginia Tech does not need to attend Corps Orientation & Uniform Fittings. Instead, you will be fitted for your uniforms when you arrive for New Cadet Week. Contact the Corps’ Recruiting Office for more information.
New cadets will have an opportunity to participate in the required Weeks of Welcome events with incoming Virginia Tech students before classes begin.
1. Bookmark the Corps of Cadets’ resources page (so you can find the New Cadet Guide in June).
2. Bookmark your ROTC website. (Citizen-Leader Track cadets get a bye on this one.)
- Army ROTC
- Air Force ROTC, including the U.S. Space Force
- Naval ROTC, including Marine Option
3. Families should sign up for Hokie Family Hub. This is the official way to receive Corps information and ask questions before New Cadet Week. Be sure to join the “New Cadet Families” community. You can access the community page at any time, and we highly recommend choosing to receive the newsletter at least weekly until the spring semester.
Military-Leader and Citizen-Leader Tracks
You will choose your track as an assignment in Canvas and enroll based on which paperwork you complete and class you sign up for.
- Military-Leader Track: Students interested in seeking a military commission through ROTC enroll in the Military-Leader Track. We offer Army, Air Force (including the U.S. Space Force), and Naval (including the Marine Option) ROTC programs. Anyone can join. You do not have to have an ROTC scholarship to participate.
- Citizen-Leader Track: Students interested in the Corps’ military lifestyle and leadership training but seeking a career in the public or private sector join the Corps through the Citizen-Leader Track. Your focus will be on developing career skills, interacting with mentors, networking, and developing a healthy lifestyle.
The Highty-Tighties
Our regimental band is one of the finest marching bands in the country and performs at national events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; Mardi Gras; and the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There is also a jazz band, a pep band, a brass quintet, a string quartet, buglers, and more.
Prospective Highty-Tighties can meet with the band director during Corps Orientation & Uniform Fittings.
You will earn academic credit for each semester with the band, plus our alumni provide a $2,000 stipend, $500 each semester for your first four semesters in the band.
Major Summer and Fall Dates
Blacksburg is a great town to visit, but it can be challenging to get last-minute hotel reservations during some events on campus.
July 8-26: Corps Orientation and uniform fittings
Aug. 16: New Cadet Check-In: You will choose a half-hour arrival time between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. Parents may depart at 5:15 p.m.
Aug. 16-24: New Cadet Week: You will participate in activities to build your mental and physical strength. A typical day will include a 5:45 a.m. wakeup, physical fitness sessions, meals in the dining halls and to-go, daily briefs, drill and manual of arms practice, and a chance to complete the obstacle course and rappel tower.
Aug. 24: New Cadet Parade: As part of the kickoff to the university’s Weeks of Welcome, you will demonstrate what you learned during New Cadet Week with a military parade.
New cadets will have a mandatory, all-day academic orientation session Aug. 23, and other opportunities to explore campus and connect with other students will be offered throughout the weekend.
More Information Is Coming
The New Cadet Guide is the main reference for you and your family. It will offer detailed steps to prepare for New Cadet Week and information about your first year at Virginia Tech. It will be available on the Corps’ website in June.
If you have questions about the Corps of Cadets or its Citizen-Leader Track, please contact corps@vt.edu. If you have questions about an ROTC program, please contact them directly.
Army ROTC
Mr. Kellogg
rotc@vt.edu
540-231-4804
Air Force ROTC, including the U.S. Space Force
Capt. Silverbush
usaf@vt.edu
540-231-6404
Naval ROTC, including Marine Option
Lt. Bloomer
nroct@vt.edu
540-231-7883