Questions about transfer

[anon223]

So I just finished my first semester at a tough university and my grades were not up to par. I am very busy and working very hard while on a 4 year AFROTC scholarship. I am a direct admit to the engineering school here and I think it is a great opportunity. However if this is the GPA I keep up throughout college, I can keep my scholarship, but there is no chance I will get a pilot slot with sticking with this major. I know the odds of keeping my scholarship are low if I try to switch majors but it is something I am interested in. So here are my questions.

What would the process be like of being on a scholarship and transferring schools?

What do you think the odds are of keeping my scholarship if I try to switch to something like business?

Is an engineering degree really worth it? Going in rated with a 2.8 GPA in aerospace engineering or a 3.7 GPA in economic? What will look better when applying for a pilot slot?

Maybe it was just the first semester of college that hit me like a rock, or maybe this school is really just not the atmosphere that I need to be in. I did very well and high school and my work ethic has been way better at college but I just cannot seem to catch a break. I feel like I belong in ROTC and that is honestly what is keeping me at this university. I am in a fishbowl at this school and ROTC is my community. I am using all my resources at school and trying very very hard, but I am just not performing during my exams. It also does not help that I am in all STEM classes that try to weed kids out of this major. I do not know if engineering is exactly what I want to do yet either.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[AROTC-dad]

We don't know you and your capabilities, so it is difficult to give you reliable advice.

The best and first resources you should be seeking are:

1. your cadre at AFROTC
2. Your engineering academic advisor.

Some AFROTC foks will give you some general advice, but you gotta dig deep within yourself and determine if you are hitting a wall, or are you not reaching your potential.

Good luck.

 

[kinnem]

I'm pretty sure there are some extra points added to GPA for folks in engineering or STEM majors. @Pima might know more about it. Have you spoken with your cadre about your GPA and it's impact on your getting a pilot slot? ie. are you just working from your gut or are you working from hard data? What are the statistics on average GPA for pilot slots the last couple years. I'm asking dumb questions, because I'm dumb.

I understand you're working hard, and have no doubt about that. Can you work smarter? Is there a better way to prepare for the tests? Will things get easier after these weed out courses are behind you?

I'm guessing a switch to a business major would cost you your scholarship, but it's just a guess.Again, speak with your cadre. Good luck. You're asking the right questions... stick to it through the process you're going through. Periodic re-assessment is always a good thing.

 

[Tbpxece]

What would the process be like of being on a scholarship and transferring schools?

Find the school you want to go to. Talk to their cadre. Get them to agree to take you and your det to agree to let you go. Apply to the new school. Fill out the paperwork to transfer. Transfer. It is not uncommon-- cadets transfer for a variety of reasons.

What do you think the odds are of keeping my scholarship if I try to switch to something like business?

Right now, provided your incoming det has ICSP slots open, I'd say you would probably be okay. Do the research, though, ask lots of questions and move carefully. I know several people who switched from a STEM to a non-STEM major without losing their scholarship, but all did it carefully and methodically (and also did not do it for low GPA reasons).

Is an engineering degree really worth it?

YES. You have no guarantees of making pilot, and there is a lot more upside to an engineering degree than there is to a generic business degree. GPA is a big factor when applying for a pilot spot, but it is not the only (or majority) factor. Get your PPL. Score high on the AFOQT, especially on the pilot and nav portion (I'm talking 90+). Get into cadet leadership roles. Ask for help from your upperclassmen ROTC cadets.

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It also does not help that I am in all STEM classes that try to weed kids out of this major. I do not know if engineering is exactly what I want to do yet either.

Yep, you are in the weed-out classes. If you make any changes, I'd advise first looking at changing to a different engineering discipline (mechanical might be a good fit for you). It's a rough point of your education journey, but remember that all ROTC engineering cadets go through this same gauntlet their first year. Ask them how they managed, and see if you can improve some of your processes before you further entertain changing majors. You are not unique in your experience.

If you're not going to study sessions, free tutoring, asking the TA's for assistance, and engaging with your cadre and det about your struggles, then you are doing this all wrong. My strong advice is to not give up hope just yet. You are in the toughest part of your degree-- there is no way to know that you don't want to do engineering at this point because (a) you are not working in an engineering job, (b) you are not studying engineering at the moment, and (c) you are getting hammered with the tough courses. Buckle down, show some persistence and determination and don't give up just because the going is rough and you are getting challenged in a big way. The sophomore year of engineering is also hard, but it is a LOT more doable and nowhere near as brutal as the freshman year.

Don't make any moves now other than talking to your det cadets and your engineering advisor for help. Relax, enjoy Christmas, and then come back refreshed and ready for round 2. I bet you will feel a lot better about this once you put some distance between you and this semester.

Pro tip: UPT will be just as challenging, if not more. Washout rates are much higher than the weed-out classes you are in now, and you will be spending hours in the books every day just trying to make one more point on your exam the next day than your flightmate so you don't get washed out.

Good luck, a lot of us have been where you are. It is achievable, but you have to stick around

 

[ProudDad17]

Is an engineering degree really worth it?

Only you can decide that for yourself, but I will offer this. One thing that really stuck with me and impressed me as my DS and I toured various schools he was interested in and toured their engineering programs, was how many CEOs and other high level executives in a wide variety of companies were trained as engineers. What virtually all of the programs attributed this to is that engineers are trained to be problem solvers. Now think about how that applies to success as a pilot, an officer in general, in the business world and in life.

 

[Tbpxece]

Is an engineering degree really worth it?

Only you can decide that for yourself, but I will offer this. One thing that really stuck with me and impressed me as my DS and I toured various schools he was interested in and toured their engineering programs, was how many CEOs and other high level executives in a wide variety of companies were trained as engineers. What virtually all of the programs attributed this to is that engineers are trained to be problem solvers. Now think about how that applies to success as a pilot, an officer in general, in the business world and in life.

The answer is yes. Yes, an engineering degree is worth it. But only if it is earned through honest, hard work.