Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hello once again,

I have been attending college as well as working on my PPL this fall, as well as working 20-30 hours a week. I have something to do 7 days a week. Needless to say I am burning out and am afraid to keep going like this! I was planning on waiting for an IFR rating till summer to at least give me more time to focus on college (and that stupid calculus) in the fall.

Over the summer I plan on taking 9 credits to keep me on track for a 4 year graduation as well as getting my IFR rating and possibly a Commercial Certificate if I can squeeze it in.

The reasons for doing the above is to not have any gaps in my work or college history, as I feel it would be a turn off to th ANG. I was wondering if this was true - and if so what would be considered a "gap"?

If you don't remember me a little history: I am 19 and a sophomore in college with a 3.43 GPA. I was planning on getting an Aeronautical Science Degree from ERAU, but have recently decided to get a Physics or Physics Education degree instead. This will not only save me (and my parents) money but it will give me a back-up plan. I have 30 hours logged and plan on getting my CFII.

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I would put your GPA above any work gaps.

I left the USAF in Nov 93'. I started college in Jan 94' I used GI Bill and Illinois Veterans Grant that paid 100% of my tuition. I put college as my 1st priority and had a great GPA, but I didn't work until I hired into McDonnel Douglas (now Boeing) in Jan 97'. That 3 year work gap made no difference while looking for a job. I just explained that I didn't require a job at the time, and dedicated my time to my school work. No questions were ever asked.

I have conducted interviews for Boeing, and I don't frown about work gaps during college. It's those gaps when you haven't done anything that will hurt you.

Keep that GPA 3.0+ , but you're realy close to 3.5 so make that your goal to have a final GPA of 3.5+ and you will do good.

Keep on your flight ratings if you could afford it. If not, just stay current.

Will being an education major hurt my chances - even if it is Physics?

Hey dude I'm at Riddle in Prescott. Im A.S. too, I think im going to switch degrees (schools too) and work on my ratings outside of school. Give me a shout about riddle at daytona beach, intreseted to see what you think about it.

Hey viper;

To be honest I never attended ERAU, although I was considered a student for a short while. Many things changed in my life and I had some growing up to do. Throughout my life I was always interested in planes - hell my mom still laughs because I could name every US Military plane before I could read. In high school I looked at going straight to the Air Force and working from there. Then I changed my mind during my senior year to attend ERAU and do ROTC. I then got more in-depth into what I needed to do for the future. This lead me to where I currently am: saving money and going to a Community College while earning my ratings. Hopefully a 4 year degree and a good amount of flying experience will make the ANG look at me in a good light. This will allow me to pursue my dream of flying, as well as serving at some point. If I fail to get a pilot slot as well as fail to get a civil aviation job, I will have my degree in Physics Education to back me up. It's not if I am going to serve - its when. If I can't get a slot, I will get stable feet then join the ANG to help out with whatever is needed. Setting short term goals is my main priority, and right now thats grades and ratings. After that comes service and flying (would be awesome if they turn out one and the same!).

[Edit] I don't even understand the above paragraph - good luck decoding it! hehe it's been a long day.

Ahhh...I see, my bad. Well I wouldn't worry too much, you arent missing too much as far as riddle goes and you are probably better off getting your degree in something as a back up plan, not a bad idea at all, thats what I hope Ill be doing next semester, working on a degree in poli sci, business, or something else and start working on my ratings. Anyways, good luck with the whole guard deal!

Well I am shooting for that 3.5 GPA but I think I just missed it this semster. I find out Monday... Anyways I was thinking more and more about my degree; I really like Physics but the math involved is going to be difficult and will most definatly lower my GPA. I'm still thinking about another major but I can't think of anything respectable (to the ANG) that I would be interested in doing. I figured some sort of education degree, but that dosen't sound like the ANG would like it very much. Any thoughts?

Uranus - do (and study) what you love to do. You'll find your GPA is better because you're interested, and you won't dread getting a job in that career field. I was a history major and am now flying Vipers in Germany. I know the Guard is a little different, but believe me: they're more interested in your GPA (shows work ethic) and what you are like as a person than in what your degree is in.

Ah, thanks for the input. I still can't decide and the fact is I can't do anything that intrest me a great deal that dosen't involve lots of math. So I am sticking to Physics Education for the time being. I was wondering if the Guard looks at the transcripts thoroughly, or just your GPA. I was just wondering this because my current college offers grade forgiveness that allows you to retake a class and overwrite the D or F. How bad will this look?

Thanks

-Eric

[EDIT] Will they look at Physics Education in a better light than say Social Science Education?

Quote:

I was just wondering this because my current college offers grade forgiveness that allows you to retake a class and overwrite the D or F.

???? Holy crap...if I could just retake classes as a do-ver I'd have NEVER left college, LOL!

Hehehe... You can take a class over if you get below a C... 2 more times... and have it overwritten. The only catch is its on your transcripts. 4.0 GPA here I come =P

Ok brother: Take a deep breath, and.... relax. They are going to look big picture, not at whether you re-took a few classes. Believe me, they don't care. They will look closest at: your GPA to see if you can stick through something with hard work the whole way; your PCSM score (tests plus flying hours) to see if you can handle pilot training; and finally the bro check - they want to know if you are somebody they can work with for the next 10 years at least. So, pick what you want to study and work hard at it. It doesn't matter what it is. Fly as much as you need to to have a decent PCSM score. And finally - go hang out with them, let them get to know you. This is probably the biggest differentiator between candidates. If you're a solid guy with average other scores, you stand a better chance.

Now, my advice is based on what knowledge I have from friends in the guard and from the common sense check of what I know pilots are looking for in picking new pilots - I have never sat on the board in the Guard to select new guys. Anybody here who has please chime in.

I really appreciate your help 2s. I Haven't used that grade forgiveness thing - I was just wondering in-case these wonderful Physics and Calculus classes bite me. I plan on having the 200+ hours for the PCSM score, and a 3.0 + GPA. Now my only worries are (besides not screwing up my plan) is the TBAS and AFOQT.

2sBlind is dead on. Big picture. Know the non-GPA numbers they look at and try to make those numbers closer to 99 than 0, keep your GPA above mins, and keep from getting a rap sheet. Oh, and don't piss off your PAS.

Now I have something more to worry about - by the time I have my Physics Education Degree I will be 24; Is this pushing it?

Also, I will be in college 5 years total; Will this look bad?

Forum: Future F-16 crew

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