UND
 

Hi
I'm a senior in high school and just got accepted to UND :D, planning to go for commercial aviation possibly with a minor in airport management or aeronautical engineering. Just wondering if there is anything u guys think I should know about them, opinions on the school (please no like "oh they suck" or crap like that), opportunities, etc...

Some things u should know about me:
I will be entering college with my ppl (no attachments). I visited and love the school, love their operations, the opportunities too. I just would like to get some pilots views on them. I would like to eventually get into an airline or cargo, thinking about instructing and possibly flying for the guard out of college to build hours but I would be open minded for any job that gets me hours and money :P

A MINOR in Aeronautical Engineering while MAJORING in Aviation?
Also - if you will use the search function and type in UND, Titles only, you will probably find triple digit threads with all of your questions asked and answered numerous times over.

USMCFLYR

Major in Aeronautical Engineering if you can handle it. That will be infinitely more useful to you later in life than a major in airport management or anything flying related.

Words of wisdom^^^. You will have a degree that will carry you through an entire career if you major in Aerospace Engineering. Not so much if you major in "Aviation" or "Professional Pilot Technology" or what have you. In fact, I would recommend not getting any kind of aviation-related degree unless it is in Aerospace Engineering. Even majoring in business and taking the flight labs on the side for your ratings is a better idea.

It sounds like you have a lot of reading to do about the profession you are pursuing. ;)

UND
 

^^^yup^^^
I have an "aviation" degree that is completely worthless. Get a degree that will serve you when, not if, you you cannot fly. I would suggest any type of engineering degree.

The more diverse you are now, the better off you'll be. There are thousands on these boards that will agree. Help yourself and your future family now. FWIW.

That's actually why I joined this forum, but I tell u, my passion stands in flying. I want to be a pilot, have since I was 2. I have been doing a lot of reading on the industry, nothing's gona turn me away from it. Nothing. Not the furloughs, not the pay, not the sacrifices. This is what I want to do.

UND
 

Really the only reason I want to get any other training in college is in case I get a bad medical or the industry goes comepletely down the toilet

Just get in and get out of college plus fly and go to classes in the summer. Get your time asap and get onto the regionals/cargo -> majors if that's your career goal, seniority and timing is everything. Network network network. Aviation is a small world. Don't burn bridges. Think long-term. Enjoy the ride.

A few threads you might want to read:

shiney jet syndrome - Google Search

UND - Google Search

Scroll down to the bottom of this article and play around with the calculator
Airline Pilot Central - Handling College Loan Repayment

A new aspect to consider that has become a factor in the last year is the change to part 121 airline entry requirements. It used to be that you could get hired at a 121 carrier with as few as 250 flight hours (although it was typically between 400-1000 hours at peak entry level hiring). New federal rules will require 1500 hours to be hired as a co-pilot at a 121 carrier. You need to be aware of this hurdle, and more important, have funding in place to allow you to go all the way.

I'm part of a growing group of experienced pilots who cannot recommend this career path. While I admire your enthusiasm and interest, and I certainly don't want to squash your dreams, I urge you to look past the emotional buy-in and look at the opportunity cost. To invest $75,000 - $115,000 to pursue a job that starts at $18,000/yr makes no financial sense. Over a career you could do better financially to go to trade school and become an electrician or plumber (and have WAY more weekends, birthdays, and holidays off). Whichever path you chose, keep reading, and reading, and reading. There are hundreds of threads disputing the pros and cons of heading off to a university pilot program - good luck.

UND
 

Yea, thanks for the advice, all of u