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captainphil

captainphil

Well-Known Member
I'm applying to as many aviation colleges as possible that have bachelor degree programs. I'd like to know any good schools in New York that you guys may know of. I already applied to Farmingdale , Vaughn and Dowling so those three are out of the loop. Any more would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
 
My personal advice would be to get a bachelors degree in a field other than aviation. Something that would serve as a good career 'backup'.
 
And it will allow you to cultivate some other interest. I deplore the thought of four day trip after four day trip with an individual whose knowledge is limited to airplanes. It'd be like an accountant who goes home and does people's taxes. Wretched! :shivers:
 
Chris_Ford said:
And it will allow you to cultivate some other interest. I deplore the thought of four day trip after four day trip with an individual whose knowledge is limited to airplanes. It'd be like an accountant who goes home and does people's taxes. Wretched! :shivers:
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Interesting and true point.

My airline is starting to hire again and the 'powers that be' are very interested in what the candidate has done other than aviation.
 
Doug Taylor said:
My personal advice would be to get a bachelors degree in a field other than aviation. Something that would serve as a good career 'backup'.
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I have to second Doug on this... I spoke at a career day at a high school a few months back and that is what I told those who asked about aviation. The industry as a whole is so unstable, even the once "secure" Gov't aviaton jobs have seen stability issues. There are many people on here that could advise you of how to handle the aviation side of things (flying, networking) while attending a non aviation college.

Good luck
 
I applied to farmingdale and they said I can join as a non-matriculated student however I wouldn't be subject to financial aid until I enroll as a matriculated student. Also, personally, I really wouldn't want to study an area outside of aviation because I really have no other interest in any other subject. Also were is Devry?
 
captainphil said:
Also, personally, I really wouldn't want to study an area outside of aviation because I really have no other interest in any other subject. Also were is Devry?
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WHOA! I wouldnt say that now! I thought the same thing when I was applying to colleges and my dad who is an airline pilot strongly discouraged me from majoring in aviation. You limit yourself to only aviation and like everyone has said, the industry is not stable and what will you do if they decide to lay people off again and all you have is aviation under your belt. I went ahead and bit the bullet and am majoring in Business with an emphasis on construction and land development. With this being my last semester of college, its amazing what kinds of things you will realize you like and dont like when you try something other than what you "think" you only like.

And by the way, I wanna fly for a living because its what I love............stupid me!
 
Go to SUNY Albany.

Your first year you take general classes, from Dinosaurs (yes I took that and NO it was not an easy class! We did a lot of cool stuff with carbon dating, DNA profiles, etc) to American Politics. This will expose yourself to a wide variety of topics and THEN you can decide what interests you so you can choose a major at the end of your sophomore year.

I was a Political Science/History major and plan on starting my MBA this year.

You can then fly out of Albany International, get a job at the airport (I can get you a job there), and start networking.
 
Go try something else. Give aerospace engineering a shot. If that doesn't work out, be a finance major so that you can manage the lackluster salary you'll make as a new pilot, and have a good background should you be laid off.

Remember, even if you get one of "the good jobs," there's always a chance you'll get the shaft when your company gets into trouble, files for chapter 11, or pulls a TWA.

Just some thoughts from a senior at UT Austin.

P.S. - Does anyone have any stats of girl:guy ratio at aviation colleges?
 
Ever consider bankruptcy law w/emphasis in mergers and acquisitions?

I mean, talk about the ultimate airline pilot career backup degree plan!

It's the wine folks, I'm not normally that brilliant! :) :sarcasm:
 
In retrospect, that's what I would have studied!

I'm an air science major. Without a lot of creativity and a salesman-like approach to my resume, I can weave a nice basket.
 
I have two nephews in mind here--one just graduated from ERAU with a degree in EE on a full scholarship and is now in the Air Force. The other is a senior doing the same thing. So, I guess you can go to an aviation school and get other skills. And it's better if you don't have to pay for it!
 
I like the idea suggested about just doing general studies at first to see if there is something else you would like to major in. You would likely regret going to an aviation specialty school and end up missing out on the fun of college. I tried to start off in school on another subject other then aviation, but after just over a year, I knew I needed to pursue aviation. Now, I have gone back to school with online classes and am planning to get my aero degree first (it is the fastest to get so I can check the box) and in the process I'll set myself up so I only have to take a few extra classes for a business degree. Never did I think I would be interested in a business degree, but now I can see the practicality of it and am enjoying it. I made some great friends in the non-aviation classes and it was a great experience.
 
The United States Air Force will pay for your college if you do engineering and don't suck.

The United States Army will pay for your college if you have a pulse.

Things to consider.

I'd also look at the male to female ratio at your school. TCU's is almost 2 girls to every dude, and let me say that it makes the college experience quite a bit more enjoyable.

Purdue, however: ask Chris Ford about the ratio there.
 
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