Community college courses?

[Cville24]

I'm currently looking at taking some courses at my local community college- just across the street from my high school, in fact.

For the record, I'm looking at air traffic control courses for the sole reason that they seem like a fun thing to do. I've had a chance to spend a few minutes in tower and TRACON sims in the past and I;ve enjoyed it. There's no other reason I want to take it. It won't give me high school credit (to absolutely nobody's surprise).

With that aside, we get to the meat of the question. My parents are concerned (probably rightfully) that I won't be able to handle the workload of an additional online course with a full HS schedule this semester. Next year is possibly more open as I could get early release and take some of the courses then but I'd be a bit further behind in the course progression. I have a meeting scheduled with an aviation department professor tomorrow afternoon to hear what the workload/time commitment/course structure are like for the initial course(s). The primary concern here is that I might be taking on too much (again, probably rightfully so) and won't be able to spend free time on holidays and such as teenagers perhaps ought to be able to do. After all, regardless of where I end up I really only have a few family vacations left and I think it would be best if I can be present for those rather than sticking behind all day working on coursework. For context, I'm a trumpet player who takes part in a lot of honor bands and other extracurricular musical engagements, I'm the VP of Model UN, and I'm pursuing my private pilot license (albeit slowly with scheduling conflicts and weather and all)- and that's just outside of school, I'm also an AP student in almost all GT and AP courses. The question here really is this: is it worth it to take on the extra workload of a community college course that I'm only taking for fun?

I'm looking for advice in the realm of both the SAs and also just person-to-person advice. In the SA world, would it be beneficial to see the college course (even though it's in air traffic control) or would it be more beneficial for me to spend the energy on doing more with my current activities and excelling there? I'm really struggling on this one, probably more than I should be. It seems like a fun thing to do, but in the end I don't see myself going into ATC and even if I did, I could get hired off the street or take some courses further down the road. Thanks.

 

[castlema924]

I think if you’re worrying this much about something you’d be doing for fun it’s best to leave it be. What state are you from? I’m also a trumpet player in a similar performance situation down in Mississippi

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

If you are taking it for fun. You could look at auditing the course. You don't get a grade/credit for it but can still participate in the class; then if you need to drop it because it's too much you don't have to worry about this random poor college grade floating out there.

 

[Cville24]

I think if you’re worrying this much about something you’d be doing for fun it’s best to leave it be. What state are you from? I’m also a trumpet player in a similar performance situation down in Mississippi

Might be leaning that way, considering I could get a job instead. Wonder what would look better to the SAs... Anyway, Maryland here.

If you are taking it for fun. You could look at auditing the course. You don't get a grade/credit for it but can still participate in the class; then if you need to drop it because it's too much you don't have to worry about this random poor college grade floating out there.

Awesome suggestion, really appreciate it. Definitely will look into that.

 

[BMWrider]

I read your whole post and some of your other posts and I had to remind myself that you're still in HS. Compared to some other posters, you certainly seem able to compose your thoughts. You'll have no issue writing the essays I'm sure.

You asked for person to person advice. Sometimes you should do stuff that you're interested in. Not for how it would look on an application or a resume. This applies as a 17 year old, a college student and as an adult. When I was in college, a liberal arts school, I took classes outside my major because that's what LA schools require. It makes you a more rounded person. To this day, I recall some of what I learned in those classes moreover than the stuff I have spend 25+ years doing for a living. How would that play on the SA application, I have no idea, but personal fulfilment is a real thing. I hope that helps you.

 

[Cville24]

I read your whole post and some of your other posts and I had to remind myself that you're still in HS. Compared to some other posters, you certainly seem able to compose your thoughts. You'll have no issue writing the essays I'm sure.

You asked for person to person advice. Sometimes you should do stuff that you're interested in. Not for how it would look on an application or a resume. This applies as a 17 year old, a college student and as an adult. When I was in college, a liberal arts school, I took classes outside my major because that's what LA schools require. It makes you a more rounded person. To this day, I recall some of what I learned in those classes moreover than the stuff I have spend 25+ years doing for a living. How would that play on the SA application, I have no idea, but personal fulfilment is a real thing. I hope that helps you.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the compliment with regard to my writing, it means a lot. The advice you gave is incredibly helpful, again, I really appreciate it. That you said that you remember things from the courses outside of your major now certainly made an impact on me. Thank you very much!

 

[Offshore]

Might be leaning that way, considering I could get a job instead. Wonder what would look better to the SAs... Anyway, Maryland here.

Awesome suggestion, really appreciate it. Definitely will look into that.

Current CGA cadet (junior) from MD in different academy bands and aviation club/flight team. I personally would say that if you could balance your time well enough to do everything the ATC course sounds really neat. The CG itself does not have its own enlisted members working ATC. Other military branches do though. In terms of admissions, I personally don't think they would really care that you took the ATC course. They would care that you earned your PPL. But your main priority should be grades, PFE score (preferably 225+), showing interest in CGA to your admissions officer, continuing to excel in music, and etc. Since you sound like a great trumpet player (which we are desperately in need of) reach out to our cadet band director, Chief Warrant Officer Frenkel. His email is Ian.Frenkel@uscga.edu. He can try to recruit you. Obviously he does not have as much influence on admissions as the football coach, but getting him to put in a good word for you to admissions always helps. I would say feel free to PM me, but I believe I have to post a few more times before I can do PMs.

 

[Cville24]

Current CGA cadet (junior) from MD in different academy bands and aviation club/flight team. I personally would say that if you could balance your time well enough to do everything the ATC course sounds really neat. The CG itself does not have its own enlisted members working ATC. Other military branches do though. In terms of admissions, I personally don't think they would really care that you took the ATC course. They would care that you earned your PPL. But your main priority should be grades, PFE score (preferably 225+), showing interest in CGA to your admissions officer, continuing to excel in music, and etc. Since you sound like a great trumpet player (which we are desperately in need of) reach out to our cadet band director, Chief Warrant Officer Frenkel. His email is Ian.Frenkel@uscga.edu. He can try to recruit you. Obviously he does not have as much influence on admissions as the football coach, but getting him to put in a good word for you to admissions always helps. I would say feel free to PM me, but I believe I have to post a few more times before I can do PMs.

Thank you so much for the tip on reaching out to Chief Warrant Officer Frenkel, I'll definitely get in touch with him. Really appreciate the advice with regard to the ATC course, and heading once again that the PPL does matter to the Academy is encouraging. I'd love to PM you later on as I get closer toward applying, if that's alright.

 

[castlema924]

Thank you so much for the tip on reaching out to Chief Warrant Officer Frenkel, I'll definitely get in touch with him. Really appreciate the advice with regard to the ATC course, and heading once again that the PPL does matter to the Academy is encouraging. I'd love to PM you later on as I get closer toward applying, if that's alright.

I’ve had trouble getting in touch with him in the past. Make sure you CC your AO in the email and let them know you’re trying to reach him independently. CWO Frenkel spends a lot of time out of the office so he often doesn’t get the chance to reply to emails. Having your AO in the loop can help with that.

 

[Cville24]

I’ve had trouble getting in touch with him in the past. Make sure you CC your AO in the email and let them know you’re trying to reach him independently. CWO Frenkel spends a lot of time out of the office so he often doesn’t get the chance to reply to emails. Having your AO in the loop can help with that.

Likewise. Tried to get in touch with him in September or so and never heard anything, so I'll loop my AO in for sure. Thanks for the tip!