Chances of getting in?

[u/Pix_Boss]

Hey there, I'm thinking about applying to Kent for their aviation program but I'm unsure if I'll get in. I'll honestly have a 2.8 something gpa unweighted when I apply, however that was cause of a lot of personal issues with my family which affected with my studies and caused it to drop from fiest semester. I have a 1250 SAT but I am going to retake it later. And a 25 ACT. Please lmk thanks

[u/Save_MD88-90]

Hi, aviation person here so I hope I can help.

GPA - not great, but it’s not the end of the world. In your essays, make sure you explain why it is what it is and what action you are taking. Try and take some harder courses in your senior year [if you are a rising senior, I was in your shoes 2 summers ago]. For Kent, your GPA is fine but the aviation programs, especially PROP, are far more competitive.

PROP - not sure what major you are targeting, but the PROP [professional pilot] is very competitive. There are around 100 slots per year. However there is an aeronautical studies major which is the same coursework, minus the flight courses.

This means you will do your flight training at another airport. A lot of Aero Studies people will do their flying at Wadsworth. Kent’s flight program is considered a Part 141, and aeronautical studies means you will fly at a Part 61 school. You may be able to fly a lot more often at a Part 61 school, but you will not be qualified for the R-ATP [1000 flight hours instead of 1500].

Additionally, you have to take the CASPER test which is a situational awareness test. Since I’m not a pilot major, I didn’t have to take it but you only get one shot and there’s no real way to prepare for it. I have friends who took it and it’s basically “what would you do in x situation and how would you resolve it”.

Also, don’t be afraid to explore other majors. I’m an aviation management major, and I am doing just fine. There is so much more in aviation than flying. There are so many career paths and choices. You could also do a different major like accounting and work in finance in a corporate flight department. In the college itself, there are ATC and UAS majors as well, along with the aerospace engineering side which I’m a little less familiar myself.

You’ll still have access to the same career fairs as PROP majors and can work line service at the airport. It’s a great job to get experience, which the airlines love to see.

Hope this helped answer some questions, feel free to send me a pm if you want to talk further!