Not sure how you can say that... I got out of UND for 50 large including tuition AND flight costs. If you can show me somewhere you can get a 4 year degree from a school with some clout (not Hollywood Upstairs Medical School) AND all your ratings up through MEI, I'd like to see it.

And for the record, I saw just as many pimple-faced private pilots p!ssing through daddy's money down at a local FBO as I did at UND. Now, there are some UNDers (and Riddle kids and Purdue pukes etc) who do have a chip on their shoulder but you will find that anywhere. I've come across just as many folks from local FBOs who thought they were God's gift to aviation because they DIDN'T go to Riddle or Purdue or UND.

 

I also agree that nowadays, it still helps to have a flight school behind your name. The company may be more willing to give you a chance since they know that most schools put out a good product, and they may know current empolyees who are alumn. Don't get me wrong, FBO's are great as well, they may be "unfamilar" to recruiters. Also keep in touch with your old instructors since they may be willing to walk your stuff into a future employeer someday.

I wouldn't leave UND Aerospace because you may be asked about it at any future interview. If you do leave, be sure to have a good reason for leaving. Just be sure that you have a six-pack scan and don't become over-reliant on glass (it is nice though).

I'd stick it out because if you have eaten at The Red Pepper at 2am in a blizzard, than you can do anything!

Good luck with your decision!

 

Amen brother...best drunk food EVER!!!

 

50K for a UND degree and all your ratings?

Thats a good deal...I did my ROTC training at UND. Nice campus. I enjoyed my time in Grand Forks. You and I might have been classmates...I was there in the early 2000s.

-LAFF

 

I was there '01-'05. You weren't one of those obnoxious helo guys, were you?

 

Nope...I was in AF ROTC. You may be thinking of the Army.

I was there until 2002. Most of my classes were in the Aerospace building. I did all my math / science / 1st two years worth of stuff while on active duty.

-LAFF

 

Yeah, the helo guys are Army. Our paths probably crossed once or twice. Small world, huh?

 

It sure is...I was happy when GF got its own BWWings joint...I didn't have to drive to Fargo...

-LAFF

 

You really can't go wrong with the Pepper at any time of the night, same goes for pizza from Deeks.

Anyway thanks for all of your replies. What my plan is at this point is to apply now to a couple colleges and give myself more time to think it through. One school I was planning on applying to is Northern Illinois University and recieving the rest of my training at Midwest Flight Academy in DeKalb. They sounded like a pretty good operation, does any one know anything about them?

 

When it comes to 141 schools, this is where the rubber meets the road. Is it wise to have a backup plan? Sure. Will having a backup plan get you to where you truly want to go in life any faster? Hard telling, but probably not. That said, contacts at 141 schools, especially well-established respected instituitions (of which, IMHO, UND is the top, and I didn't even go there) are everywhere. The great folks that I've met from UND have been rewarded with great aviation opportunities in everything from weather modification to corporate to airlines. All such opportunities were "inside deals" that you would be tough to find by getting everything done at your local FBO.

That said, do have some fun in college. I at times wish I would have gone to a mainstream campus to chase a few more girls, but I still don't regret going to the 141 school that I did. Do what's right for you...and good luck.