College decision advice for a high school senior

[-]

I’ve heard about really bad delays from students who go there, plus if I choose an aviation degree I’d want it from the most reputable school since I’m paying the same for Riddle versus FIT. Do you go to FIT?

[-]

FiberApproach2783@reddit

I would rank Riddle below FIT. Riddle's reputation is actually not all that great lol.

I don't go to FIT, too expensive for me because I'm out of state unfortunately. I haven't heard of any delays from the students there I know though, besides the weather of course.

[-]

FuruTakka@reddit

I recommend going to the school you like best (UF will be a fun time, not Riddle lol) 4 years is plenty of time to get all your ratings and build hours. Depending on what major you pick will change how much time you need to allocate to studying vs flying.

I went to an SEC school and flew a little bit at a time and I think I made the best decision for myself to have an amazing college experience while also earning my ratings and building time. While you may not get hours faster this way, it was worth it for me to have a great college experience which actually set me up to get a 135 job (owner went to same school haha)

[-]

EfficiencyOk8520@reddit (OP)

Yeah as a school UF seems more appealing, but I’m just worried about balancing college classes with flight training. If I go to UF i’m going to do an accelerated instrument program at a nearby airport over the summer, so I would get commercial during my freshman year. Would I have enough free time in college to complete commercial training in fall/spring and then do CFI the summer after freshman year? Trying to find a degree that’s useful but less time consuming.

[-]

FuruTakka@reddit

Additional comment since I realized you’re getting your IR this summer: you’ll be able to get commercial thru CFI in a year. You have PLENTY of time, especially at your age (I’m guessing 18) where you need to be 23 to hold an ATP so there’s absolutely no rush

[-]

FuruTakka@reddit

I took my time with each rating, got private in a year, instrument took about 6 months, commercial maybe another year and CFI in a few months. All said and done I had all the ratings by the end of junior year and spent the next 2 years instructing and time building. I picked a relatively easy degree with plenty of options in case flying didn’t work out and keep my workload light. My degree is in public administration but a business or Econ degree would work well (depending on what business major you pick)

You already have private so realistically it would only take maybe 2 years to get IR thru CFI or even CFII. Then just use the next 2 for time building. Maybe make some connections at school or in the local community for CFI or 135 job opportunities.

[-]

MrAflac9916@reddit

same here, just MAC not SEC, it’s not all about going as fast as possible

[-]

FuruTakka@reddit

All about the journey, not the destination

[-]

MrAflac9916@reddit

Your quality of life will be way better at UF, go there

[-]

EfficiencyOk8520@reddit (OP)

Yeah UF definitely has more positive ratings about quality of life than Riddle (very mixed reviews). Just responded to someone else here: UF seems more appealing, but I’m just worried about balancing college classes with flight training. If I go to UF i’m going to do an accelerated instrument program at a nearby airport over the summer, so I would get commercial during my freshman year. Would I have enough free time in college to complete commercial training in fall/spring and then do CFI the summer after freshman year? Trying to find a degree that’s useful but less time consuming.

[-]

BigJellyfish1906@reddit

Even if you don’t have as much free time as you’re hoping, what’s the rush? Don’t go to riddle. Go to a real college.

[-]

EliteEthos@reddit

Get an online degree while building more hours and earning more ratings.

[-]

EfficiencyOk8520@reddit (OP)

That’s the cheapest option but I still want a traditional education at an in-person university, and want to make industry connections early on

[-]

rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hey everyone! I’m currently a high school senior looking to plan my next 4 years out and commit to a college this week. I currently have my PPL and would like to get all my ratings in college. I have been accepted to all Florida universities and get bright futures (free tuition) at all but Embry-Riddle. Embry-Riddle gave me 30k per year in scholarships bringing my yearly cost in tuition to 15k per year. Riddle’s flight training seems cheaper on paper than the alternative (a small 61/141 school in Gainesville) at UF due to reduced hours and a cheaper hourly rate for aircraft. The biggest benefits of going to UF seem like being able to get a degree in something unrelated to aviation and getting a more diverse college experience. After adding up in total costs Embry-Riddle comes out to 30k more than UF, which my parents are willing to cover. If you recommend UF I’d also like suggestions on majors as I want something to fall back on. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Please downvote this comment until it collapses.

Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.