What if ERAU cost the same as UND?

Chris_Ford said:
Yes, education is what you make of it, and I've used my excess credits to learn a third language and take some personally interesting classes, but a bulk of my classmates don't apply themselves any harder than they need to. So they get the aviation education and nothing more. How well rounded of a person does that make someone? I'll answer that for you: not well rounded at all. To talk to a lot of these people is more painful than anything, simply because the only thing they know about is airplanes.

I probably have one friend in the flight program at Purdue. Chris is right, lots and lots of the kids are rough around the edges when it comes to anything other than aviation.

That said, I do love flying and didn't want to major in something random that I wasn't truely interested in for 4 years only to turn around and not use it. Although aviation classes are quite easy, I still think I have a harder major compared to some kids...Education, Sociology, Psych., and Agriculture to name a few. At least we have to take Calculus and a couple Physics courses. Oh yeah, and we have to fly at 7:30am on Saturdays (as least I do :whatever: )
 
boeing 777-300,

In the end its your choice. Reasearch your schools, make a decision and stick with it. Don't be one of those college floaters that transfer to a new school every year and loose credits while doing it.
 
I'd be interested to find anyone from any college with any degree that isn't rough around the edges in their selected degree area not to mention non degree area. They will be newbies for the first 6 months to 2 years. College degrees will never equal experience. They just open the door the same way a high school degree used to do. The degree from Harvard compared to a degree from Joe Blow U. doesn't matter except for a small number of firms out there, which at the same time is reserved for daddy's friend's son.

What they should be teaching these college graduates is how to manage their money. There are people with $2k in debt that take longer to pay off their debt then someone with $100k. Why, because they don't know how to manage their money.
 
i have attended both schools. to me, flight training quality is about the same. however, i tend to find that Riddle has more of an aviation focus. i also find that it is easier to network within the Riddle community. however, UND is a very good school, dont get me wrong. if i did it all over again, and UND was in florida...i would go there. but its not in florida. i was bored out of my mind at UND. daytona is close to orlando and the beach and such.

it really depends on what you are looking for. if you want to go to a larger school, UND would be a better choice. if you want more to do (outside of school) i would choose Riddle. i believe they actually cancel each other out in flight training. yes, riddle is starting to use the sims more, but in the end, you will end up with more multi time. my 2 cents...
 
I chose UND because of the liberal arts option. I was able to get away from airplane talk alot because I joined other things around campus. I played in the marching band and wind ensemble for 5 years, which really made it worth while to talk about something other than airplanes. Grand Forks is what you make of it. Yes, its far away from the big cities, but now that I'm gone, I kinda miss the small town, middle-of-nowhere place. I wouldn't spend my life there, but I'm sure I'll be back to visit. I'm also going to miss football and hockey. For a school out in the middle of nowhere UND's teams sure kick some a$$. (another reason to be at UND) I can't wait to see another game sometime soon, when I make it for a visit.

As far as an aviation degree, if you really want to fly and be a pilot, its probably the fastest way. But minor in something else too. Join clubs or orgs that are both aviation and non-aviation. I value my training at UND very much. Now yes, planed fly the same, but UND offers a whole lot more then just teaching stick and rudder and how to read a TAF. After being at another school teaching, I'm finding my students don't have all the "extra knowledge" that I learned.

So answering the question being asked, its the variety of options I had at UND that Riddle didn't seem to have. (and once you turn 21 the bar scene is not half bad)

Chris
 
I couldn't really see myself spending all that money on an aviation degree at an aviation school when the degree title doesn't really make a difference. If I wanted a degree in the aviation field, I personally would choose Aeronautical Engineering, but that is just me. I'm a glutton for punishment. :D

If I went to an Aviation type school like UND, I would probably major in something non-aviation related. The world is too interesting to only focus on one thing. There's a lot going for being "well-rounded". ;)

If somebody wants to go to an aviation school and get an aviation degree than I say go for it. You only live once, but keep in mind, you live with your decisions.
 
I don't feel you necessarily "lose" something by going to an aviation school and majoring in an aviation degree, but I do feel you "miss out" on some opportunities to expand yourself that you may get at a different school with a different major (or an aviation school with a different major).

UND seems like a good place since you can do both. The only question that remains, is whether the extra cost is worth it for the flying portion if you can get the same flying education at a good FBO at a much reduced cost...............and only the individual (and their wallet) can answer that question. In the end though, it is best to major in what you want to major in at whatever college you want to attend, despite opposition. There's no sense in majoring in Western squirrel hunting with the hopes of becoming more well-rounded if you aren't going to be happy learning it.

Lastly, all of the well-roundedness and logbook hours in the world won't make up for a lack of character. That's a big part of getting a job, no matter what the industry. I've met a lot of highly intelligent, extremely well-rounded, asshats. I would imagine all of the logbook hours in the world would not amount to a hill of beans if you couldn't get along with anybody. So, in essence, I think if you do what you want education wise, you go where you want to get it, you enjoy it while you are doing it, and you maintain a good character, then you are golden. :)
 
I am going to be majoring in aviation. At least at my university, they make you get a minor but I am going to take it a step further and double major. I think some people heavily stereotype aviation students as dorks who have no other interests. The degree is not worthless to me by any notion. They have a relationship with one of the airlines that can get me an interview and a good chance of a job with them shortly after graduation. You work hard, it's a great way to network, you meet really cool professors who are experienced in the field, it can be a great time. It's not a joke that is a piece of cake, it's been a lot of work so far and I've enjoyed it. However, that doesn't mean I am going to limit myself to just the aviation community at my school. Rather than going with the aviation oriented dorm, I chose a non-aviation dorm so I could meet people outside of the program. I have many different interests outside of just flying, I don't feel I should limit myself to just aviation, that's why I am going to a 4 year university. Just my 2 cents
 
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