ttpw96

So I'm separating from Active Duty military in a year to join the reserve/guard. Currently is an IT dude, so I do have a backup plan if this whole piloting thing is not working out. I do not enjoy flying a desk and don't see myself enjoying flying a desk for the rest of my life.

I'm planning on using my GI Bill, the only caveat is that I have to attend a college to obtain a bachelor degree (4 years).

So far, I found 5 colleges along with my own personal pros and cons for them.
______
1. Embry Riddle
Pros:

• Warm and sunny Florida

Cons:

• "Specialize College"
• probably will be massive sausage fest with zero college life experience.

_____
2. UND:
Pros:

• Supposedly it is one of the best college for flight training
• Endless flat field for emergency landing

Cons:

• Endless flat field
• Nothing to do.

I don't mind the cold and snow though.
________
3. Purdue
Pros:

• Supposedly it is one of the best college for flight training. (Envoy??)
• Regular college life.
• Yellow ribbon program, so I will not have to pay out of pocket

Cons:

• Currently not accepting new student for their professional flight program (2018), probably will carry into 2019.
• Supposedly Indiana is pretty run down from all the people I know that live there.

_______
4. Central Washington University
Pros:

• Near mountains, lots to do and see.
• Regular college life
• Have connection with Horizon
• 3 Years accelerated program, get me through school faster. Help with the gap in GI BILL.

Cons:

• Doesn't have yellow ribbon program, will have to pay a bit of training out of pocket
• Supposedly the flight school that conducted the flight training part with the university is quite subpar

______
5. Arizona State University
Pros:

• Best college life
• Warm/hot Arizona
• Already an online student at ASU, should make the transition to their regular university a lot easier.
• Yellow Ribbon Program, no extra money out of pocket

Cons:

• Flight school is separate from the main campus, I'm afraid that I will see the same people over and over.
• Too much of a party school, my liver will hate me for it.

Any school that I missed? Any personal experiences at any of those school?


I should graduate with 250 flight hours with CFI, CPL, and Multi. Instructing for a couple years, regional and then hopefully joining the major airline in 10 years. I'm open to working overseas in Asia (I do speak Vietnamese) or doing ISR (military contractor pilot) If I am qualified.

155mm

Flown with a lot of UND folks and they produce a good product!

ttpw96

What do they think of the school and their college experience?

rickair7777

ERAU/UND grads generally liked their schooling but tend to be bitter that they paid way to much for it... they see their airline peers who went to State and trained at the local patch with far less debt.

If the VA will cover most of it, then it's not an issue for you. Especially since it's probably the only way to get both flight training and college with VA.

sourdough44

Do you have family or other connections near any of the schools? If so, that could be in the mix for consideration. I have a relative at Purdue, likes it much.

I’d apply to a few, so as to have a backup. Nothing wrong with a ‘2nd tier’ school if it’s a bit cheaper. There are a bunch of Universities that offer flight programs, not as well known as the big names.

155mm

Overall, the ones I know are satisfied, proud alumni. UND appears to offer in-state tuition to Veterans as well. The previous poster lumped ERAU and UND together. Perhaps they are the same academic caliber but I believe UND is a much better bang for the buck. I've heard of problems with UVU in Provo, Utah. Lack of instructors, scheduling problems, etc. Seem okay if you simply want to earn an online degree though unsure if they offer in-state tuition to Veterans. Are there any accelerated 141 flying only programs that accept the GI bill? I didn't realize the GI bill stipulates you earn a Bachelors degree.

ttpw96

I have zero family near any of those school.

I'm pulling the list of schools from FAA's website (https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/...ority_List.pdf)