A little stuck on colleges/flight school of some sort.

A

Ark Angel114

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

I posted awhile back about what to do and how to get started with flying.
I'd like a little more specific guidance if you guys could help me.
I'm in the middle of my junior year at high school, and getting ready to take some ACT/SAT tests. I'm currently in one AP class, and that is Euro. I plan on taking AP English and probably US History next year.

I'm looking to move to Texas from where I currently reside in Cincinnati Ohio. If I stay in Ohio, I was thinking about going to UC since they have some sort of aviation program there. My question is, what are some good colleges with aviation programs in Ohio/Texas? I have no idea what to do right now, except to get good scores on my test. I haven't even started with aviation stuff yet (schooling, getting first license, etc)

Please shed some light on what to do, thanks!
 
I'm in the same position as you except for the AP part haha. I've come to the conclusion that I'm gonna pursue my ratings on the side and go to a good college. It's much cheaper that way anyways.

And with good grades in AP classes, you could probably go to almost any school you want.
 
DON'T MAJOR IN AVIATION! The airlines, fractionals, cargo operators, etc. don't care what you major in, as long as you have a degree. Major in something that will serve as a good backup career option in case piloting doesn't pan out. Think business, engineering, nursing, pre-law, pre-med, elementary education, and plenty of other marketable fields. Fly on the side at a local FBO. There are plenty of them in Texas. I believe Skymates is in Austin, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Most people will tell you to stay in state. I can't blame you for wanting to leave Ohio. I say go where you want to go, but make sure you have a sound financial plan to pay for school/living expenses. Try to avoid loans if at all possible. If you make good grades, you may be able to get a partial scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin. There are also plenty of smaller Texas colleges that would be more than willing to give out some scholarship money. Also look into government grants.
 
flyingwriter said:
DON'T MAJOR IN AVIATION! The airlines, fractionals, cargo operators, etc. don't care what you major in, as long as you have a degree. Major in something that will serve as a good backup career option in case piloting doesn't pan out. Think business, engineering, nursing, pre-law, pre-med, elementary education, and plenty of other marketable fields. Fly on the side at a local FBO. There are plenty of them in Texas. I believe Skymates is in Austin, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Most people will tell you to stay in state. I can't blame you for wanting to leave Ohio. I say go where you want to go, but make sure you have a sound financial plan to pay for school/living expenses. Try to avoid loans if at all possible. If you make good grades, you may be able to get a partial scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin. There are also plenty of smaller Texas colleges that would be more than willing to give out some scholarship money. Also look into government grants.
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Get a degree in whatever interests you. If it's geology or accounting or engineering or aviation or marketing or psychology...pick something you're interested in. You'll enjoy your classes more and you'll get better grades.
 
Austin has several universities that are cheaper then UT if you want that. Besides that Its a pretty cool town.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone, how far is Austin from Fort Worth?
And well if majoring in Aviation isn't the best way to go, should I major in something with computers? I like computers, cars, gaming, graphic/web design, video production.
I love flying and everything, it's just amazing, but like you guys said, it might not work out, and I love computers too so I can fall back on that if I figure out where I want to go with it.

Can you guys name some specific universities to think about?
Thanks everyone!

EDIT :: also, what about the medical stuff? How do I take the tests and stuff and what tests should I pass?
 
Ark Angel114 said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone, how far is Austin from Fort Worth?
And well if majoring in Aviation isn't the best way to go, should I major in something with computers? I like computers, cars, gaming, graphic/web design, video production.
I love flying and everything, it's just amazing, but like you guys said, it might not work out, and I love computers too so I can fall back on that if I figure out where I want to go with it.

Can you guys name some specific universities to think about?
Thanks everyone!

EDIT :: also, what about the medical stuff? How do I take the tests and stuff and what tests should I pass?
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What are your strong areas in school?

If it's math and technical stuff, I'd suggest a straight math degree-you can go anywhere with it. As far as a computer degree, surprisingly I hear from my friends that did that degree that they wish they hadn't. It turned out that their work record and real world experience were much more useful in getting computer jobs than was their degree. Your mileage will vary depending on where you go to school.

If you're better with touchy-feely stuff I'd say history-political science.

And, despite what the haters say, an aviation degree might be the right choice for some people.

I had a good scholarship and was able to affordably get CMEL, CSEL, CFI, II, MEI, A&P, and 4-year degree, plus 2 years of CFI experience all through my alma mater. The aviation degree worked well for me.
 
Do whatever major you are interested in and move you to actually study and get at least decent grades. If that is an aviation major, then so be it.

-

Sidenote - Leave Cincinnati!? Cincinnati rocks!
 
flyingwriter said:
DON'T MAJOR IN AVIATION! The airlines, fractionals, cargo operators, etc. don't care what you major in, as long as you have a degree. Major in something that will serve as a good backup career option in case piloting doesn't pan out. Think business, engineering, nursing, pre-law, pre-med, elementary education, and plenty of other marketable fields. Fly on the side at a local FBO. There are plenty of them in Texas. I believe Skymates is in Austin, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Most people will tell you to stay in state. I can't blame you for wanting to leave Ohio. I say go where you want to go, but make sure you have a sound financial plan to pay for school/living expenses. Try to avoid loans if at all possible. If you make good grades, you may be able to get a partial scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin. There are also plenty of smaller Texas colleges that would be more than willing to give out some scholarship money. Also look into government grants.
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Skymates is in arlington, tx(13 miles southwest of dfw).
+1 for skymates, i'm getting my PPL through them right now.
 
Ark Angel114 said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone, how far is Austin from Fort Worth?
And well if majoring in Aviation isn't the best way to go, should I major in something with computers? I like computers, cars, gaming, graphic/web design, video production.
I love flying and everything, it's just amazing, but like you guys said, it might not work out, and I love computers too so I can fall back on that if I figure out where I want to go with it.

Can you guys name some specific universities to think about?
Thanks everyone!

EDIT :: also, what about the medical stuff? How do I take the tests and stuff and what tests should I pass?
Click to expand...
FW to Austin is a few hours by car. I can't tell you the exact mileage though. :S
 
I concur as to not major in an aviation field. Ohio State does have a program and you could add in an aviation minor to your course of study. You could easily fly on the side at Capital City Aviation for a better price than the university's flight school.
 
Fort Worth is about 3.5 hours by car from Austin, but it might as well be a different planet. Austin is completely different from any other city in Texas.

UT does not have an aviation program, but it is nonetheless an excellent school. A little further down the road is Texas State in San Marcos (about 30-45 minutes by car) where there may be an aviation program.

As for FBOs in Austin, there are several - best bang for the buck is the University Flying Club (do not have to be a student to be a member) but there are others.

Texas is a big place. You said you were moving to Texas so I'm hoping you have a place in mind. We can probably better help you narrow it down if we know roughly where you want to be.
 
SteveC said:
Get a degree in whatever interests you. If it's geology or accounting or engineering or aviation or marketing or psychology...pick something you're interested in. You'll enjoy your classes more and you'll get better grades.
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:yeahthat:


I made the mistake of majoring in business just like everyone says to do on this website. If it works for some people, that's great. If not, well you'll be screwed out of an entire year of school like me.

Major in what interests you is the key. Otherwise you're wasting your time and everyone else's in the program.

One thing I do agree on however is if you're going to get an aviation degree, fine. But don't do the flying at the school. You can do it MUCH cheaper (sometimes up to 50%) rather than going through the college.

I know a bunch of kids that are going to a smaller aviation college that will rack up at least 100,000 in debt if not more for a degree and all certificates through CFI/II/MEI. And this isn't even ERAU.

Bottom line - just don't let people on the internet tell you what's best for you. Only you can decide that, and if it's getting an aviation degree...then so be it.
 
What's wrong with working on your private while you are in high school? Your local FBO would be glad to get you started. It will never be less expensive than it is right now at a local FBO.

Then when you get to college, you'll be that much further ahead and you will be a much better pilot and you will know that you really want to do this and you will have the confidence that you can do this.

What if you had to wait to go to college before you took driver's ed? Wouldn't be as good of a driver would you?

Joe
 
DO NOT go the flying university route. First your degree isn't worth much. Second you most likely paid a crapload of money for it. It is mind boggling how much pure luck and timing plays into this career. Your number one goal should be to keep your expenses ultra low. If while going to regular college you still want to fly you'll find a way to learn it through home study courses and the 152 at your local fbo.
 
N519AT said:
Bottom line - just don't let people on the internet tell you what's best for you. Only you can decide that, and if it's getting an aviation degree...then so be it.
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This isn't yahoo answers, this is a well moderated aviation community, exchanging information to help others. Usually the simpler path in life involves avoiding the mistakes of others before you.

I can't think of one scenario where having an aviation degree would be a required credential. I also have never met a colleague who had an aviation degree who would do it over again. Especially when the 100g price tag is brought into the equation.
 
I currently am a soph. at Florida Institute of Technology and honestly can say that it was the best choice i ever made. People say dont major in Aviation and do all your flying at FBO's well i am glad that i didnt, If your grades are good enough then you will easily earn scholarships that will help cover the cost of tuition and there are tons of aviation scholarships out there also! I dont think there has been a day so far where i have regretted majoring in an Aviation related major, and i have talked to alot of Alumni from my school and others and they agree too. But seriously do what you think will help you the best!
 
Hootie said:
This isn't yahoo answers, this is a well moderated aviation community, exchanging information to help others. Usually the simpler path in life involves avoiding the mistakes of others before you.

I can't think of one scenario where having an aviation degree would be a required credential. I also have never met a colleague who had an aviation degree who would do it over again. Especially when the 100g price tag is brought into the equation.
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If you read my post I advocated to not get a degree that required flying through a university program. I also never said it was a required credential. I was simply saying that if all you're interested in is aviation, then get an aviation degree. You need coursework that holds your attention in school otherwise you're just wasting everyone's time including, most importantly, your own.

I went the suggested route, going to a local college and enrolling in the Business Administration bachelor's program. After a year, I was done. I hated it. I had no motivation to do the work, and it showed. While I did all of the assignments, it was definitely not to my fullest potential.

I'm currently enrolled in a online Bachelor's of Aviation Administration program and I couldn't be happier with school. I'm motivated to do my work and I get good grades. I do my flying through a local FBO and will get college credit for the ratings that I get while I'm attending school. It costs me right around $2500 per semester for class. And when I get done with CMEL, CFI/CFII/MEI my total for flight training will be less than $30,000 all in.

While it may be smart to get a degree in something other than aviation, there are a few things to consider:

-It's not for everyone.
-When it comes time to use the degree when you're five/ten/fifteen years out of school, you're going to be competing with the guys who just graduated and with the knowledge fresh in their mind.
-It doesn't fit everyone's situation.

Once again the bottom line is just figuring out what suits you best. There is no "one size fits all."
 
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