Hoping to Transfer to UND in Spring 2013...!

Hey everyone... I just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks as this forum has provided me with a lot of helpful information so far.

I just sent out my application today and I'm hoping to enter UND as a transfer student for the Spring of 2013.

I have long had a desire to pursue aviation and I'm ready to make my move. I already have a bachelors degree in Political Science and will be taking advantage of GI Bill benefits from my time on active duty with the Navy. I'll be a little older than most students... I'm 26 now and will be 27 when I start, if accepted. With my prior college credits and some summer classes, I'm hoping I'll be able to go through the Commercial Aviation program in 3 years or less, if possible.

I'm hoping my increased age doesn't close too many doors when I become eligible for flight jobs. I was actually considering plunking down $60K in borrowed money on the ATP fast track program (which doesn't take ANY GI Bill benefits) before sanity prevailed. UND will take longer and I will be getting a second Bachelors which I don't really need... but receiving what seems to be a quality flight education while being debt-free will be worth it.

I tried the part-time FBO route but it wasn't working for me. The local place actually seemed overpriced for the quality of training provided... as well as being disorganized. I had to fill out paperwork numerous times because they kept losing it. (A rude dispatcher with zero customer service skills didn't help either.)

Anyway, I'm very excited for what the future may hold and I'm sure I'll be back with questions. Just saying hello for now!

Welcome to the boards!! Just want to let you know that you are in know way alone when it comes to the late 20's crowd. We have many people such as yourself that are here on the GI benefits. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

I am not sure how dead set you are on attending UND, but you should look into attending a community college that has a flight program. There are plenty off colleges around the nation now that ch.33 benefits are available and with 100% coverage will be virtually cost free. Most also have great programs that will be the same caliber as UND. Since you already have a 4 year degree, this would take only 18 months of benefits leaving you with more time to pursue a maters if desired! The school I am going to in Portland will take about 18 months, and I will hopefully have everything up to MEI at that point. BTW you did it right, I am really kicking myself for not getting my degree while in the Navy. I have about a week left active, and looking back on it I could have accomplished so much more education wise. In the five years I was in I took two classes at ERAU.... . So good on you for getting that degree!

Welcome to JC and thank you for serving. Im using post 9/11 for Flight/Aviation Management degree at SIU. I didnt get my Private unil I was 26 and I'm still going strong. Trust me the benefit of years will be an advantage in the flight program no matter where you go. Most importantly have fun while you learn!

I would agree about the community college route for training as you already have a bachelors degree. However if you decide to come here I'm sure you'll have fun and enjoy it. I'm enjoying it, if you have any questions just ask!

Welcome! I see you're from Miami... Soooo how do you like snow?

Yeah went the community college route as well. Finished in two years with Commercial Single/Multi, Instrument, CFI CFII I skipped the float and MEI because I was going to be leaving for Horizon Air. Then 2008 hit and I ended up not going because they started furloughing. I was 22 when I started. It was amazing how 4 more years of maturity helped.

Good Luck on whatever your decision is and welcome to the rollercoaster ride of the aviation industry.

Take your time, and figure out something else you can do to pay the bills. Getting paid to fly is great. But not being broke with nowhere to go is pretty awesome too.

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I am definitely leaning towards UND but will have to give the community college option some thought, since I do plan on obtaining a Master's degree in the future. I was just looking at Central Oregon CC's website and it looks like a viable option. Part of the reason why I like the idea of UND is because of the in-state tuition for veterans (100% of which would be covered). Going to an out of state CC would incur some out of pocket expenses, but nothing unreasonable.

I do have a question about summer classes at UND, but I'll start a new thread for that.

Actually, although I'm in Miami currently, I'm originally from New York. I've grown up around snow but I understand that the winters can be a little insane in Grand Forks! As long as it doesn't mess up my flight schedule too much, I think I'll be okay. I'd try to take as many flight classes as I can during the summer to avoid it.