I have come to a decision about embry riddle. I have visited and was impressed with their fleet and facilities. But even after financial aid and scholarships I would have to come up with 40,000 dollars out of pocket expenses/loans. I cannot afford this kind of money. Sadly enough I have decided that I will not attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University but Kent State University or Ohio University and enroll in their flight program. I still do not know which school has a better flight program between the two. I do know one thing... I have been thinking very hard about joining AFROTC as discuseed in previous posts. The way I see it. The only way for me to attend ERAU and afford it, is to join ROTC. Although I want to be in ROTC, I do not want it forced upon me. I want it to be my choice and something that I truly want to do, and not just for the money. This is something I can decide on at Kent or OU. But as of now I believe my choice is wise considering I am going to be in an industry that has it's drastic ups and downs. To be frank; I do not want to be a 22 year old with 160,000 dollars in debt, specially if I am going to be a FO at a regional some day making 20-30k a year and dining on fine quisine "a la cup ramen noodle". Thank you guys for this forum. It has helped me better than any one of you know. THANKS GUYS! Advice is more than welcome!

yours truly,

David

David, if I recall, you've spent a good part of your life in Louisiana. So, if anyone can make Ramen Noodles taste good, you're one of them!

I can't speak for Kent vs Ohio, but I applaud your rational decision process to NOT shoulder yourself with (what many consider) unnecessary future debt. Not taking anything away from ERU, but as you know, getting ANY degree, preferably in an area giving you a safe and desirable fallback field, will equip you well in getting an interview. Study hard, but just remember to enjoy the college experience between your studies!

Be sure to let us know if (and WHEN) you have questions. We're here to try to help.

Best of luck, and thanks for keeping us up to date!

nothing a little tony chacheres cajun spices can't fix. specially ramen noodle. That being said. I visited Kent today, as well as their flight facilities and airport. Even though It is a large division 1 school with over 15,000 students. their flight department was nice. and best of all the people their were like a tight family. I really liked this, and I know I will fit in perfectly with that bunch. We even got the talking about aviation and my knowledge in it. So for laughs and giggles one of the CFI's decided to test my knowledge in Aircraft recognition. After I aced their little test. They asked to me to be part of their flight team in their aircraft rec. department. They mentioned I would fit in and they need someone with good aircraft rec. skills. All In all If I choose kent. I am pretty sure I have thus far made the right decision as far as ERAU goes. Thanks you very much for your reply and you can bet Im gonna hit them books! (WHO DAT)

David

Thats right.

Anyway, a lot of flying entities want College Degrees anyway, so maybe its a blessing in disguise.

College has other distinct adavantages, like: Lovely ladies and late all night parties with loads of beer and loud music - this must not be ignored - it is important to learn how to socialise well in today`s hip hop bop-a-loola modern day society - yeehaa! Party Hearty! Have a GREAT time.

riversiderebel3
Just adding my 2 cents to those of Mr. B. Jumping into a burdensome college loan isn't the brightest plan by any stretch of the imagination - unless you know what you're going to do about it and you've researched the potentials involved. I think all of us here would say they wished you the very best - encourage you to pay attention to what your instructors say - learn early your own limitations and those of the airplanes you will be flying - and DO NOT exceed any of them - ask questions BEFORE trying something new. Remember the old saying ... there are OLD pilots and there are BOLD pilots, but there are precious few OLD BOLD pilots. Keep us abreast of how you're doing, and good luck.

Talldude attended 1 year of ERAU 2003
Talldude quit and went to UND 2004
Talldude got all ratings 2007
Talldude in modest debt 2008
Talldude upset about economy and lack of flying jobs 2009 to present
Talldude not optomistic about low time pilot pay Present
Talldude got out of avaition and is working as a 911 dispatcher making a suprising amount of money. Present

Hey Tall,
nice to see you back around! Long time no see. But I see you have been busy. Sorry to hear that your aviation career isn't running the way you planned it. But do me/yourself a favour and just keep on persuing it! There just has to be some kind of job around to collect flight hours and thereafter eventually the job you always wanted.
Hehe, I was wondering what a 911 dispatcher is there for a second... Porsche 911 came to my mind but then I recalled that 911 is the emergency service in the states.