I am interested in going to a Big 10 school, but not all of them have flight programs or more specifically programs that let you major in something besides aviation (U of I is the exception). I have applied to U of I but if that falls through I have already gotten into the University of Iowa and am waiting on Indiana University's reply on my admission.

So basically this topic is directed at the pilots here that have continued on with getting your ratings while pursuing a degree at a non-aviation school.

How hard was it for you to balance going to school with flying on the side and having a good social life?

Also did you go to college with a car to drive to the airport or did you use public transportation?

Also if you could do it again would you choose the same path for flight training?

*I want to be a military pilot after college, but I also want to have a back-up incase I do not meet the military physical standards for whatever reason.

 

"Also if you could do it again would you choose the same path for flight training?"

I would with the exception that I would stay away from Riddle and an aviation degree (I did most of my stuff at small flight schools). As far as the military part of your question, I hope someone with experience there chimes in.

 

I'll preface this with the statement that I did go to a "big aviation school" (UND). However I consider UND to be a University with a flight training program as opposed to a flight training school that offers degrees...

While at UND as a full time student (and full time flyer), there was plenty of opportunity to live a "normal" college life. I had several jobs in college (ranging from fast food to airport ops to campus tour guide) and participated in several "extra-curricular" activities, including student government, sports and performance arts. As long as you remember the primary reason you're there (academics) and don't over stretch your capabilities, you'll do fine.

I didn't have a car my first two years on campus, but instead got around via the campus shuttle, the airport shuttle, and bike/foot. It wasn't a big deal, but did kind of limit my world to the area around campus- especially when the weather was bad. Junior year I purchased a car, and it was nice, but I don't feel that you HAVE to have one to survive. YMMV, but I did fine (despite the often chilly temperatures).

As for choosing the same path (career wise), I'd do it over again, but I'd also probably double major in business or some other "corporate minded degree" program. That way you can be well rounded as well as have a sound aviation background. But again, I wouldn't hesitate to go back and do it all over again if I had the choice to do so.

I'll too defer the military question as I don't have any experience with military aviation... (I was enlisted in the Army Guard for 10 years...)

Good luck!

 

I went to a big twelve school and didn't major in anything remotely related to aviation. It's unnecessary. I got all my ratings at the local fbo and instructed there and then flew charter all while I was in school. I also had time for lots of road trips, parties and living the frat life to the fullest extent possible. I balanced it all pretty good. I graduated with about 2000 total time and 600 multi and started class at a regional a couple weeks after graduation. I love flying jets but there is absolutely nothing more fun than livin it up at college! Goin back this weekend to party it up with frat brothers and see tx tech whoop tx a&m.

 

also, don't kid yourself. an aviation school is an aviation school and they are a waste of your time.

 

An aviation school is what you make of it. You might consider it a "waste of time" (or money or effort or whatever). Personally, I consider it a huge asset to my career. Maybe not because I learned to fly at such a school, but because of the networking.

Everywhere I travel I run into people I know from college. Not only that, I chose to stay connected to UND after graduation. As a result, I personally know several very influential people in aviation. Including execs and managment at many well known aviation companies that are also UND alumni.

Do you have to go to an aviation school or university to learn to fly? Of course not. Will doing so provide you a few opportunites that you might not get with the FBO route, almost definitely. Is there a right way or a wrong way? Nope.

Either way works and at the end of the day, we all have the same licenses and certificates.

 

After high school, I began flight training that summer. It was awesome! I went to a flight school (not FBO, not University). I got all my ratings through commercial, but took a few college courses (online and traditional) during my full-time endeavor at the flight school. I wasn't a full-time college student. Now I'm at the sophomore status, just as are those people I graduated with, and am working as a flight instructor and going to college full-time. I am still getting the college experience, but now I don't have to worry about working on getting my ratings at the same time as school. I made it so that I could focus completely on those ratings first, and now I can focus completely on college. The degree I'm seeking is non-aviation related to have something to fall back on in the case of another decline in the industry. As a side note, I was originally seeking an aviation degree but decided against it so that I could have a back up plan. So far so good and if I could do it all over again, I would!!! The same way!!! (Just maybe with a different flight school, I can't say the flight school I picked was top notch...more like bottom of the barrel) Be careful when picking a flight school. It can end up biting you in the butt...

 

I agree with the last post, not saying ratings and college can't be done at the same time. I can give you a bad scenario probably not the worst I am currently taking 18 credits to get out of school, flight training at a local FBO for my commercial but right now their only complex is broken probably for the next month and I work nights 5- 10 pm. I put in some long days and it bothers me to not fly sometimes because I have to work on school or work. I would not go this way again, I would have done all my flight training first then gone to school. Good luck with your decision.

 

I go to a University that has a 141 flight school. worked 30-40 hours a week, and worked on ratings yada yada.... there are 2 types of kids in our program.

1. Those who are serious about flying.
2. Those who are too occupied with "the college life".

the college life for me, working hard, eating ramen, no money, understanding appreciation of mommy.

school AND flying???? cakewalk.

so get in school, fly ur anus off, and then go party in mexico on the weekend, or new york with your CA and hot FA

 

Not a Big 10 school, but Kent State has a well known aviation program and they allow you to minor in it. Good school, good parties.