Thinking of Transferring

J

Jake_Ventrella

New Member
Hi everyone,

I'm a freshman at ERAU, DAB campus and I'm thinking of transferring. Here's some background information:

I'm from CT and have a girlfriend back home. I love flying and I'm here completely on loans because my parents can't afford to pay a dime of my tuition. So far, I haven't enjoyed being on campus that much though I haven't joined any clubs or anything like that. I haven't been too impressed with the flight program either.

I'm thinking of transferring because right now tuitition is $40,000 per year and increasing at a rate of 4% a year. By the time I graduate, tuition will be over $47,000/year (this is including average flight costs). The idea of getting out of here with about $150,000 in loans scares the crap out of me. I was willing to do it because I thought Embry-Riddle's name and internship opportunities would land me a high-paying job with the airlines. Now I'm beginning to have doubts about the validity of ERAU's claims.

I just spoke with my advisor concerning taking classes for next year and mentioned to him I'm considering transferring. I told him that I've read of alumni who say if they could've done it over, they wouldn't have chosen this route. He said "maybe they had bad experiences" or "didn't like someone" and stuff like that. I told him I've read here that the airlines don't care what you have a degree in as long as you have a degree and he said that idea was crazy. He told me I need to check into the accountability of my sources and suggested going to the alumni center. I'm extremely confused and don't know what to believe. However, I do know that if I'm going to transfer out of here I should do it at the end of this semester and cut my losses at $20k.

My FBO back home was great. It was an uncontrolled airport but they still had quality training. I believe if I transferred to UCONN - for half the price of tuition here - I can probably get much better financial aid and end up in a hell of a lot less debt. Also, I'll be able to major in something else as a backup and to do on the side while I'm a CFI (which is what I would end up doing after I get out of here with a degree anyways). I don't know if he's trying to convince me to stay because he works here and stuff but I don't know who to believe anymore. Am I going to have that much trouble getting a job in the airlines if I go to college somewhere else? I understand the internship opportunities are great here and 1 in 4 pilots are ERAU graduates but what about those 3 in every 4?

I'm scared if I leave here it's because I'm just having a "bad experience" which may be true because I haven't gotten very involved... or maybe because I miss my girlfriend... but I don't think I'd like it here without her anyways. What it comes down to is:

Is a degree from ERAU worth the $150,000 I'll be in debt when I get out of here? (vs. about $70k for my degree from UCONN plus ratings - and that's an extreme ammount).

I appreciate your help everyone.
Thanks,
Jake Ventrella
 
I think you're absolutely being realistic. I know many airline pilots as well as a pilot recruiter for AA and the general idea I get from them is that a degree from ERAU is sometimes frowned upon. It's a generalized curriculum based around aviation courses. The recruiter told me that airlines are looking for diversity, not the norm. I'm actually training right now finishing up my PPL in New York State at a college here and I can't stand the costs so I'm thinking about heading south to Regional Airline Academy or ALLATPS.

The fact of the matter is...You're paying for the name. ERAU is not all its cracked up to be.

Note: You're flight training will slow down a lot coming back up here...
 
[ QUOTE ]
I told him I've read here that the airlines don't care what you have a degree in as long as you have a degree and he said that idea was crazy. He told me I need to check into the accountability of my sources and suggested going to the alumni center.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds to me like they pay him to keep people from transferring. Wanna validate your sources? Call any airline and ask if they give preferential hiring to ERAU grads. Unless they have a bridge program (and some even if they DO have one), they'll probably say "no." I like how he told you to go to the alumni center, since I'm sure THEY'LL have an un-biased opinion.

Anyway, sounds like you're being absolutely realistic. I ALMOST went to the DAB campus, until I saw the price tag. I'm doing ERAU on-line, and it's saving me a ton for what is essentially the same degree.
 
You're not alone man, I'm a frosh too, not really thinking of transferring though.

I'm more than likely going to drop out of the flight program after i finish my FA133 course in january-febuaryish. I'm also switching majors to ATM next semester. The training equipment here is top notch, you won't find any better, but 150 an hour for dual instruction in a 172 is just a little ridiculous. I do have scholarship money here and I want to do the best I can to make it worth something. I miss my fbo at home <sniff
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> and I think I'd rather go for a more stable career and fly for fun, or possibly be a freelance flight instructor on the side.

I'm enjoying it here otherwise.
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<----cool
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Hey Jake...

"He told me I need to check into the accountability of my sources".

Tell him number 839 at UPS, 757/767 F/O, ERAU grad 1983, Prescott campus. If he says I don't know what I'm talking about, well, you gotta be the judge of that based on who he is and my posting history at this site.

Like has been mentioned, the only reason to do ERAU would be a bridge program or internship. I know internships are available from a variety of places...I saw one not long ago for Skywest which didn't even require an aviation degree.

"Am I going to have that much trouble getting a job in the airlines if I go to college somewhere else?"

The airlines DO NOT care where you got your degree from or what your major is. You can get just as good of training from some part 61 flight schools. It's all about quality of the equipment and experience of the CFI.
 
That's cool that you're likin it here man. Yeah I think they only gave me like a $2,000/semester financial aid scholarship so that's not helping me out too much. I think if I'm not going to do flight I might as well transfer to a school that I like. I probably haven't given this place a good enough chance socially but as far as the cost-benefit, for me I don't think it's worth it. I probably wouldn't do good at ATM because I have a pretty bad memory heheh. If I weren't going to do AeroSci here I don't see any point in staying considering I haven't clicked with too many people and there's no girls. I have a g/f back home but I'm just not liking sausagefest. I have no idea how many times i've heard:

"Oh I know someone who went there but he left because he hated it."

If it were just social reasons, I'd probably stick it out but considering that I'm going to be in debt about $150k when I get out, I'm still asking myself the big question: Is it worth the money?

-Jake in McKay
 
Yea I still haven't decided if this is the place where I want to spend my next 4 years because its way to early to decide that, atleast thats what my opinion is. We haven't even been here for 2 months since the hurricane break.

I'm also not a fan of this Part142 program because i'm gonna go home this summer with only an extra multi-engine rating added on to my private which i got at home. But I have no reason to home and rent a seminole or seneca for 150 an hour when I can get a cessna for half that. I'd much rather be working on my instrument. I'm not dreading this place and have some friends but the lack of chicks really does suck, thank heavens this is one of the biggest party towns in the country. Oh yea and I have to do a XC tomorrow morning at 615am!!! GRR.

Yea I think ATC would be a much more stable career, which is something I really want in life, and I like to talk on the radio when I fly so ability hopefully shouldn't be a problem. I love flying and would love to be a part time flight instructor or something along those lines. I've tried to tell myself the reality of how difficult and inconsistant the airline industry can be and it takes a really determined person to be able to accel in it.

"I have a g/f back home but I'm just not liking sausagefest"
hahaha
 
"I'm still asking myself the big question: Is it worth the money?"

Didn't I already answer that??? NO, it's not worth the money.
 
A few things.

First of all, leave; I had to leave my program also even though I never thought I would.

I came to Western Michigan University because of the "great" flight program that exists here. Once I got here I realized that the flight program, while having it's merrits, isn't for me. I'm doing my flying on the side, spending less money than I would flying with the college of aviation here, and I'm getting a degree in something I enjoy studying that has the potential to serve as a backup should things fall through with this flying gig. This isn't to say that college aviation isn't for everyone. Sopdan, another user on this forum, is another guy in Western Michigan's flight program. The program has worked out well for him, and he's actually graduating in 3.5 years with all his ratings. He's used his time well and the program worked for him. There are guys that it will work for, and others it will not. If you're not happy with what's going on at Riddle, leave. You already sound like you've made your decision but you're looking for some reassuring. When I talked to my advisor about leaving the COA he told me to leave running. I was kind of supprised to be honest, but he said that if you can handle doing the training on your own then get out of the COA and do your own thing. He then went on to tell me a lot of guys don't even end up flying for a living once they leave here, and that it's better to get a different degree if you're not 100% about getting a degree in aviation. You'll end up in the same place, and enjoy yourself a lot more along the way.

And one last note; your training won't slow down as Smitty here says. I did my instrument rating in Michigan in about 2.5 months. FBO training will go as fast or as slow as you want it to, and it's all up to you. You could also always go get your degree now and then once you're done with school go to a school such as ATP, Ari-Ben or Skymates and hit everything out real fast. You'll do it for a lot less than Embry Riddle and you'll get the same ratings.

Get out while ya can dude.
 
Thanks for your input everyone... here's what I've come down to.

I can't really figure out my motives for wanting to go back. Maybe I haven't given this school a good enough chance. I don't think I'll ever like this college as much as I would a normal one but the idea of transferring is going to make things really difficult. I think what I'm going to do is look into trying to find more scholarships, both with the financial aid office and the outside world. At this point, it wouldn't be a good idea to transfer after this semester because most colleges already have enrolled students for their spring semesters and I need to remain a full-time student as a requirement for my student loans and medical coverage. I have made good grades so far and I'm sure if I get involved in the right things, ERAU could do wonders for my career - especially if I want to get involved in corporate. I just need to find a way to cut down the costs and choose a minor so I'll have something to fall back on.

Conclusion:
If I had to choose over again I probably would've went to college somewhere else. Seeing as I'm already here now, I might as well try to make the best of it. If it proves to be useless, I'll transfer next fall. Maybe the bridge programs are worth it though?

Thanks for your help everyone, and please continue to give me input. What scares me is I don't think I've heard anything good about Riddle yet...
 
You're probably right about transferring elsewhere for the spring semester, but I would seriously think of looking elsewhere for the fall semester next year. Here's why:

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I don't think I'll ever like this college as much as I would a normal one but the idea of transferring is going to make things really difficult

[/ QUOTE ]

If you don't like it, it increases the odds of dropping out or totally giving up, thus wasting most (or all) of the money invested thus far. Believe me, as a former college drop-out, I know. My advice would be go ahead and finish the rest of the school year at ERAU, then think about going somewhere else next year. Try to find an atmosphere that you would enjoy being in, and you'll be more likely to finish the degree. Remember, it doesn't HAVE to be aviation related no matter how much the marketing guys insist that it helps.
 
dood, im a freshman at ERAU DAB,

i dropped th flight program and started flying out of new symrna at epic. The cost per hour is almost the same, but the planes are new 172sp's with leather seats, electric trim, autopilot, and gps/ tcas with the really big multi fuction display

the best thing about epic is that you tell them when you want to fly.

I have my sheduale with them untill christmas.

Im going to switch majors in the spring to aerospace studies. Yeah, I know its prolly too expensive for what i get, but its a compromise..

Ive been having a blast at EPIC.
 
I am an aeronautical studies major and Kent State University. Ive done all my training a a local club.

The reason i majored in aero was because of my unique situation. Its a long story and ill save you from it, but lets just say im graduating early and I didnt have to pay much for tuition. So for me, its a good decision....

and i dont regret doing my training at a club, im sooo glad i did it that way.

Funny thing is, we had a Continental Cheif pilot come to our class and talk for a bit. He said "...and major in something other than aeonautics....so you have a backup" end quote...
the director of KSU aeronautics about fell over when the guy said that and after he left, the our KSU director was all making excuses about that little comment. It was hillarious.

ever since transfering here ive made it my mission to personally convince as many students to drop the flight program.
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Hey, native Clevelander here.

Does Kent State still have that internship with Continental Express for its top students? My instructor for my private was a professor at Kent State part time and tried to sell the school to me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i dropped th flight program and started flying out of new symrna at epic. The cost per hour is almost the same, but the planes are new 172sp's with leather seats, electric trim, autopilot, and gps/ tcas with the really big multi fuction display

the best thing about epic is that you tell them when you want to fly.

I have my sheduale with them untill christmas.

Im going to switch majors in the spring to aerospace studies. Yeah, I know its prolly too expensive for what i get, but its a compromise..

Ive been having a blast at EPIC.


[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard via the rumor mill that Epic dropped their prices for Riddle students to 80 bucks an hour for a 172sp and 66 bucks for a 172R.
 
yep thats not a rumor anymore, i still can't believe they dropped the prices that much. I talked to one of the guys there and he said that they basically want to put air america out of business.
adam
 
True indeed. In fact I'm getting checked out in the 172R this saturday at the new Daytona office so I can do a little joyriding before school is over. They've had flyers all over the place.

Also, I should probably just call Epic about this tomorrow but if I get checked out in a 172R, do I have to be checked out again in the 172SP (especially because they're decked outside) to rent the 172SP as well?
 
They may. There's slight differences in the R and SP (unless the R is the 180 HP model) that change the flight dynamics and the V speeds.
 
If you are checked out in their 172SP and do the paperwork for both planes you will be checked out in both, but if you go for the 172R first you will need to do another checkout in the 172SP.
 
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