Hey, So i’ve been reading through ATP’s admission requirements and I will hopefully be going into ATP with zero time next summer. I noticed that you either have to have a 3.0 high school GPA or at least 2 years work experience. I might have a problem with my GPA so does the work experience have to be a certain job? and does it have to be 2 consecutive years? because I just got done with my summer job and i’m deciding if I need to get a job during the school year. I will be a senior in high school this year and i’m wanting to start ATP in August. Thank you so much!
Noah,
In that case you’d better start working on that GPA. Yes the work experience needs to be consecutive, consistent and preferably at the same place.
Fun fact, for a long time ATP wouldn’t accept students directly out of HS because most didn’t have the maturity to be successful. You need to understand this program is intensive and demanding. Due to popular demand ATP decided to allow HS grads but they want to see some indication they’ll be successful and that means a solid GPA.
Make this your best year ever and you may have a shot but know even if you get that GPA acceptance is not guaranteed.
Adam
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Noah,
Work experience generally means two years of full time work, not part time high school jobs. Your best bet is to work to get that GPA up above a 3.0. Either way though, I recommend talking to the admissions department as they are the final answer on all such things.
Chris
Noah,
I must ask, why aren’t you including at least some college in your plan first? Hiring is starting to slow meaning the degree is yet again becoming more important. Plus, the experience in upper education studies will best prepare you for the rigors of the professional accelerated airline career pilot program.
Hannah
After ATP I was going to enroll in an online college and get my degree. But I definitely get what you’re saying. Thankyou so much
Noah,
A problem with the GPA? Flight school is not easy and if you’re struggling with high school (or college), who’s to say you’re not going to in flight school. While I don’t know more detail about yourself and I can only go off of what I’ve seen since I started the program in 2020, graduated, instructed, and now mentor… it takes someone of maturity, confidence, and responsibility to complete flight school and training. If you can’t be dedicated to your studies now, how can you when you attend flight school? I recommend hitting the books hard and getting good grades now as it will serve you better later in life.
While you’re probably seeing articles out there of airlines slowing down hiring, a college degree could become valuable and not just a check in the box… I recommend considering college after high school (at least two years and getting the general education credits out of the way), and if you’re ambitious, start working on the private pilot certificate. Start building your portfolio if you wish; join a few clubs or organizations, do some volunteer work, etc. (it doesn’t just have to be aviation related). IF you decide to go this route, you could participate in one of the many colleges ATP has partnered with in acquiring a degree, below is a link that gives some information on that:
Brady
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Noah,
At the earliest, you may be able to return to a degree at the regionals. You can’t multitask a degree while in the program or while flight instructing building time. With hiring slowing you could be stuck there for 4+ years working on completing it before getting any movement on your application. Best to get at least the first 2 years of community college done at a minimum and revisit the idea of ATP/completing bachelors then.
Hannah