Thoughts on a degree (GooseEgg)

[bobbysamd]

Erau

Maybe a school such as ERAU could give me the degree, plus flight training. That would be great, but what are the chances of getting accepted? How hard is it to get accepted to that type of school???

Best way to find out would be to contact Riddle. ERAU has a Professional Aeronautics program that gives college credit for certificates and ratings.

 

[Goose Egg]

Riddle is certainly an option. I saved a rather large sum of money by getting my BS degree at a state school. But choose what's best for you. The Riddle vs. everyone else debate is an entirely different thread.

I am considering starting a Masters degree through Riddle's distance program though.

It is good to see that you have warmed to the idea of college a bit--I think you will find it quite enjoyable. I thought it was great to finally study what I wanted to study. I had a much better experience in college than I did in high school. You strike me as bright guy, maybe a little headstrong though, and not without some spelling issues. I'm sure you'll do fine once you set your mind to it.

Do me a favor though; if you do decide to go to college, print out this thread (and possibly "I want to someday get paid to fly") and tuck it away somewhere. When you graduate, pull it out and compare your feelings to what they are now. I think you'll find the contrast... interesting, to say the least.

Best of luck,
-Goose

 

[Jester119]

College

When it comes down to getting the job say an airline, you and the other person who meets all the req. for the job. The other person who wants the jobs just as bad as you has the same amount of hours same amount of training, and the person with the college degree is going to win.
I am only 20 I am a 3rd year college student finishing up my MEI and CFII. I will be 22 when I finish with a good amount of hours and the degree in aviation, I dont regret it one bit at all, it opened many doors so far. For example interning and getting a lil lear time at the airport where I work.

 

[Clyde]

I've seen a few posts like this before and have contributed my two cents, so what the heck, here's another penny or two.

Is a degree important? Yes and no. A degree is a piece of paper. If a company (such as an airline) requires you to have piece of paper, then you should get it. And, to the best of my knowledge, not one airline out there specifies which degree to get. This is good because it allows you an opportunity to learn something in addition to flying.

As I said above, a degree is a piece of paper. What you can gain in terms of a skill or marketable trade while working on that degree is what I would be thinking about. In other words, aviation degrees are useless. When you invest a lot of your time into studying, get something that you can use in addition to flying. This will allow you to earn a living when the economy is down, and possibly allow you to earn extra cash on your days off.

Bottom line is this: a person with a college degree isn't necessarily a smart person. It's what an individual possesses in his/her mind that makes one smart. Some have a piece of paper, some don't.

 

[Luchini]

Im not an experienced pilot but ill add my own 2 cents I learned in my sociology class. America is a land based on credentials. When you go to the interviews how many of the questions are technically related to your job? Chances are most of the questions are geared towards learning about your personaltiy and persona. A degree shows that you had the discipline to commit to something and complete it. An employer cannot learn the type of person you are in one day but having a degree shows you have good work ethic. It will also add to that company's roster of qualified professionals with credentials.

 

[troy]

For those of you who don't want a degree, don't get one. I don't care. It will make my stand in line shorter. But, just don't try to bring the rest of the crowd down with you. Some kid will read the message and think to themselves that they will be just fine in the competitive world without one (wrong!) Ever wonder why the military requires a degree for a commision? Or why interviewers use the degree as an elimination tool? I guess the educated are just a bunch of idiots in your mind.

 

[air cowboy]

First of all let me say I thoroughly am enjoying this discussion. I only found flight info recently thanks to aopa, and I am an addict already!



Now, as a recent college grad (with highest honors), I couldn't agree with Unanswrd more, the whole college system is screwed up. It does not show intelligence and for the most part what knowledge is gained is not directly applied to life ever again. The economic loss due to wasted time and effort is unimaginable.

What can I add to this discussion that hasn't been mentioned? Unaswrd, if for no other reason, go to college because it is a blast!!! It is not the real world at all. When and where else can you meet new people, sleep in until noon, have your meals made for you, party ever night, hook up with random girls, and have a fresh schedule change ever 4 months? (almost sounds like being a pilot.... It is the best 4-7 yrs of your life! (unless you are like me and do it in 3.5 yrs, but I'll explain that later)



Where am I coming from? I never liked school but got good grades. I graduated and was like you- totally against college. I worked for 3 yrs and spent a yr traveling and working around the world (Alaska, new Zealand, Australia etc..) (Traveling is something more of us Americans should do, it teaches more than any university) Working made me realize that school was not so bad, and maybe I should go to college.



So I went to a 2 yr private school in kansas with a good aviation program for 3 semesters and got my private and inst. Then I realized after a discussion with some Allegheny pilots that I should get a 4 yr degree. So I transferred to a state school because of money and got my bs in business in an additional 4 semesters graduating summa cum laude.



Thus I got a four yr degree in 3.5 yrs (it would have been 3, but my aviation credits didn't transfer) Here's how I did it, and is important advice: I tested out of classes with CLEP. I also took an extra class each semester. I never took summer classes. And I maintained a very active social life... too active to be exact, I am currently facing criminal charges because of a innocent college prank, but that's another story on another thread. So if you have the ability, and want to take a semester worth of classes over the summers, you could get a 4 yr degree in 2 calendar years.



Goose is absolutely right - if you are older, you are considered independent, and the fed pell grant will pay for most of the costs of a state school. I was a freshmen at 22, and I think the independent age is 23, but you can find out on the FAFSA form.



Another important tidbit: I joined a C-150 club and got my hours in for MUCH cheaper than any other way. Riddle would be great, but you might end up like me and transfer due to coming to your senses and realizing how much unnecessary debt your going into.



Hope you find some of that helpful. You are way ahead of where I was at your age with doing your research and having focus and goals.



And for those of you that complain about spelling errors (lawfly etc.) get with the times.. I too don't like errors, but you need to realize that spelling is not an issue on the net. There is a time and place for correct spelling, but an internet forum does not require the time and/or effort of correct spelling. Now that I may have insulted you, lawfly I could use some advice. If I have a misdemeanor on my record would that prevent me from going to law school? How about a summary offense?

 

[bobbysamd]

Spelling

And for those of you that complain about spelling errors (lawfly etc.) get with the times.. I too don't like errors, but you need to realize that spelling is not an issue on the net. There is a time and place for correct spelling, but an internet forum does not require the time and/or effort of correct spelling . . . .

It's only your credibility, that's all. If you are sloppy about spelling, capitalization, etc., it calls into question your attention to detail, thoroughness, etc., graduating summa notwithstanding.