College Credits for Flight Training

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MikeInNY

New Member
I'm almost certainly not going to be going to Embry-Riddle...simply because it's too expensive for me. But, I know I need to get a college degree...and I don't particularly like school. So, being able to gain credits for the flight training I'm going to do anyway would be great.

But, at the same time, I want to get some pretty good flight training...so, if it's not really worth it, I'd just go to school and pick a good place to learn to fly, seperately.

So, I guess my question is....How many credits can you pick up at a college, by doing all the same stuff you'd have to do in a "traditional" flight school (including the groundschool and whatnot)? Considering I wouldn't be going to Embry-Riddle or any of the other big aviation colleges (Farmingdale State and Dowling College are the two colleges that are somewhat close to me, and a bit cheaper)...if I would only recieve 12 or 15 credits for the flight training, I'd probably just go to a college a little closer to me, and a seperate flight school.

Also...From what I undersatand, most college only allow you to take the flying classes if you're majoring in "Aviation" (or something similar). I do happen to be quite interested in studying aviation...but I know that it may be a better idea to major in something else "just in case". Do any of you know of colleges that'll let you recieve college credit for the flying classes, while majoring in some other field?

Thanks a lot (And I do know that there's a "College Aviation" forum around here...but I made a post there a few days ago...and nobody reads that section of the site, apparently...and I'd really love a lot of opinions and suggestions here).
 
I looked into this option a while ago, but just decided to do everything after college. Spend some time looking around at local schools and talking to universities. Down here in Tx, community colleges offer a 2 year degree in Aeronautical Science and you get all your flight ratings as well...not sure what the cost was though, can't remember. The courses for that 2 year degree did transfer into the state school that I attend.

Personally, I'm glad I'm going to college then flying later. College is a blast, great parties, girls and beer. Best years of your life right here, don't pass it up. Go to college, and get a degree outside aviation for sure.

Just my thoughts...
 
utah state university has a 4 year program for flight technology professional pilot. the program is a pretty good price and most of the classes requred for graduation is aviation related. if you want more info, just pm me.
 
I'd have to go with NTXpilot here. There's no harm no foul in doing the flying thing after college. For example going to the local state college like SUNY still gives you a good education, degree, parties and girls and leaves you with enough money to fly at the local FBO when you're done or during school.
 
Well...I'm already 20 now. I went to college after highschool, and did the whole "great parties, girls and beer" thing. That's why I only have about 12 college credits right now (about 2 and a half years after starting college). It certainly was a good time...but I just can't do it, and still do well in school. So I'm done with that.

I just want to finish college and start my flying career as soon as possible. I already know that I'm not going to finish college in the "normal" four years (even from now...I'm just not into school at all, and will probably not ever take five classes per semster, like most "full timers" do). So if I wat until whenever I do end up finishing school, that'll just take way too long. I want to at least get to a point where I can "build time" on the side, while I'm finishing school.


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Every school is a little different in what they require. You should check out all the schools that interest you, get all the info about thier aviaion (or whatever) programs, then go from there.
 
I don't blame you, I went to college for a year and was having trouble getting any flying done in Upstate NY...so I put college on hold and came to Florida to begin flying. I talked to Utah Valley State College yesterday and they told me up to 16 credits can be voided if you have already trained in a 141 environment.

What most people do is use those 16 credits to skip the ground school for PPL-MEI. Then they "take" the flight training courses, however they copy and fax their license to the professor and take the final and they're done. In my situation I have those credits from a year at college plus some AP high school credits and since UVSC is accredited all those credits transfer...I think I'll end up paying like 9k for a 4-yr degree....not bad, and its all online so I can instruct, go to school, and defer my loan if needed because I'm still "in school"...

Good Luck and don't worry, I don't like school either.
 
if you're "not into school" then you're not going to get anything out of it, so why bother spending the money???

you don't have to have a college education to be successful.

good luck
 
moxiepilot said:
you don't have to have a college education to be successful.
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True statement.

It's more difficult to be successful without one, though. It's like starting out with one strike against you, so to speak.
 
moxiepilot said:
if you're "not into school" then you're not going to get anything out of it, so why bother spending the money???

you don't have to have a college education to be successful.

good luck
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No offense...but that just seems like awful advice to me.

Do you think 6th graders "like" doing math homework? Obviously, they don't....Does that mean they just shouldn't have to do it, because they're "not getting anything out of it"? Of course not.

I'm getting the college degree, whether I like it or not.
 
I'll completely agree with Moxie's statement about being successful without a degree. He is completely right.

Just because you have a 4-yr degree doesn't make you better of a pilot than someone without one. Absolutely no way.

With that said, I need the degree to feel complete with my education. I have found myself saying at night..."Boy, I need to go back to college" but I don't want to put myself into more debt.....
 
You do not need a college education to become successful, but if you HAVE one you are not putting all your eggs into one basket and you'll find a job much easier. Having a degree can do you no harm, but not having one can.

Besides if you want to become a pilot for a major you sure as hell better have one. Go to college and get it over with while your 20. It's not going to be any easier or fun going back when your 25+.

You have your whole life to fly and no one is going to want to have to fly for 35-40 years until they can retire at 60. Enjoy being young and partying while you can!!!
 
Seriously....you guys all stink.

145 views, 11 responses....and not one single peice of decent advice.

I'm going to college. I am not going to "party". I want to finish college and finish learning to fly farily quickly. I think I established all of that pretty well.

Whether or not college is nececessary, or whether I should just go to college and party for four year before I start learning to fly is not up for debate. Obviously, you guys can talk about whatever you want....but I just feel that I should let you know that you're not helping me at all. You're just wasting your time. I couldn't care less what you think about the value of a college degree, or how soon I should start flying.

Sorry...but I'm just being honest here.

EDIT: cko2300's post was fairly useful. I doubt I'll be going to Utah, though.
 
Riddle's online degree is pretty intense and helpful from what I understand. It's only 2500 bucks a sememster...might be something you want to look at. Other than that if you want to fly right away, an online degree is not a bad option.

And to respond to your last post, if you look back at your first post you asked "How many credits can I pick up flying"....I believe I answered that question. Don't criticize people who are trying to help because you don't see eye-to-eye with them.

Good luck, we all wish you the best with your flying and studies.
 
MikeInNY said:
Seriously....you guys all stink.

145 views, 11 responses....and not one single peice of decent advice.
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Then screw.
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Well here is what I think 1st of all a college degree is necessary if you want to fly for an Airline. If thats what you want to do you are obviously going to need a College degree. You already said your getting one no matter what. But you also said that you dont want a 4 year degree. At most major airline websites they say 4 year degree Highly Recomended. Its up to you. I think it all depends on how far u want to go in your career. Do what ever u feel is best. You said ur already twenty, some people start flying alot later. It doesnt really matter do what ever u can afford. :mad: BTW. Alot of people in these forums have taken their time to give u advice. thats kind of rude of you to say that all the advice in your thread sucks. I'm sorry ur frustrated right now and not sure what todo. but everyone in this forum has probably gone through a similar situtation. And they are just giving their opinion.
 
Brazilian_Pilot said:
But you also said that you dont want a 4 year degree. At most major airline websites they say 4 year degree Highly Recomended. Its up to you.
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Ugh...

No I didn't. :banghead:
 
MikeInNY said:
145 views, 11 responses....and not one single peice of decent advice.
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That's probably because you decided to write a paragraph about yourself rather than asking a specific question.

But judging by the title you want to know if you can get credits for flying. The answer is: depends on the school. So go ask them.
 
E_Dawg said:
That's probably because you decided to write a paragraph about yourself rather than asking a specific question.

But judging by the title you want to know if you can get credits for flying. The answer is: depends on the school. So go ask them.
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I absolutely did ask specific questions.

Thanks for nothing.
 
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