Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/22/2003

Question
Hi,
My name is Edik and I am in high school. I have couple of questions. First does it make a huge difference what college I go to, for example if i were to go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University would it look better on my transcript vs. if i was to go to some university in california. Second, how do major airlines look at you if you have a corrected 20/20? Do they use that against you, or do they not care. Would they pick someone who has a perfect 20/20 over the person with the 20/20 corrected. If you have any other tips please feel free to express yourself.

Thank you
Edik  

Answer
Hi, Edik:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist.  First of all, I do not believe that the choice of a school should be made by name alone.  There are a number of highly thought of aviation schools in the nation, such as:  The University of North Dakota, Western Michigan University, Parks College of St. Louis University, Purdue University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott and Daytona campuses) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (which is where I work).  However, selecting a college or university is should be based on a process wherein you identify what it is that YOU want and need out of your college education.....this might relate to cost, relative access from where you live, curriculum offered, placement offered, the faculty, the size of the campus, the things other than aviation that the college or university offers (is it an aviation-only campus or is it a comprehensive campus), and so forth.  You need to decide what the five to ten more important criteria are for your decision and then keep those criteria in mind as you investigate various colleges and universities.  I would narrow down your choices to three to five campuses, visit them, and then create a spread sheet (either on a computer or just in pencil on paper) that summarizes each campus visit.  Keep notes on each visit and then translate the answers to common questions and observations that you would make about EVERY visit....costs, your impression of the faculty, placements, etc, and whatever else that you wish to use.  

In this manner, you will create a fact-based background for your decision about what college or university to attend.

The University Aviation Association has a Collegiate Aviation Guide available that lists the colleges and univesities that offer aviation degree programs.  They can be contacted at: uaa@auburn.edu or by calling 334-844-2434.  The also have a college aviation scholarship listing for sale that lists over $1.0 million in scholarships.....ask them about that, too.

As for the 20/20 vision issue, as long as your vision is correctible to 20/20, it is not going to be an issue.  The bottom line is that, unless you can not pass an FAA Medical exam, you can not be discriminated against for this reason by any airline.  If you can not pass the appropriate FAA medical exam to fly for the airlines, then, of course, the airlines can then turn you down.

Good luck to you.  If you have more questions, please follow up with another question.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/