AE-IGEP Program - California or Ohio???

[Chris Hill]

I'm sure I'm among a few of you May 05 SNA graduates who recently heard about this grad school opportunity. I included the info below for those interested in getting the chance in the future.

Anyway, I'm torn between going to Monterrey for the ME masters (Navy Post Grad School) and Dayton for the AE masters (AF Institute of Tech). I really don't want to go to Ohio, and want to avoid the AF if possible, but I hear it's a much better degree to have, especially for test pilot school down the road.

If anyone has gone through either program, or is going the test pilot route, please help! Thanks.



Subj: OFFICIAL MAIL MESSAGE #028-05 FY05 AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
IMMEDIATE GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM (AE-IGEP)
1. The Naval Postgraduate School of Aeronautics and Astronautics developed the Aeronautical Engineering Immediate Graduate Education Program (AE-IGEP). The purpose of the AE-IGEP is to provide a one-year Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering to recent graduates from NROTC. The AE-IGEP will be offered to 10 FY05 graduates who have service selected for aviation, have academic degrees in aeronautical, aerospace or mechanical engineering, and have a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA.
Note: This program is for NROTC midshipmen only.
2. Midshipmen interested in the AE-IGEP (see list below) will need to send a short application with PNS endorsement to NSTC Code OD41. (Do not mail applications to NPS.) The application should include:
SSN
Unit
Undergraduate Major
Cumulative GPA
Current Transcript
Desired Curriculum
E-mail Address
Short statement about their desire to pursue graduate education
3. Applications will be forwarded by NSTC to the NPS for selection. NSTC will notify units when selections have been made.
...
4. Midshipmen selected for the Aeronautical curriculum will attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Dayton, OH. Midshipmen selected for the Mechanical Engineering curriculum will attend the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterrey, CA.

 

[kray1395]

If you really don't want to go to Ohio, and don't want to be with the Air Force, then I wouldn't suggest AFIT. There's not a lot going on in Dayton, but you're an hour away from Cincinnati, Columbus, or Indianapolis which all have a lot going on. A couple more hours and your in Cleveland, Detroit, Louisville, Pittsburgh, it's a good place that is centrally located from a lot going on.

Wright Patt is not a typical AFB, and is more the technology and research center of the Air Force. That means you will be surrounded by a lot of Trekkies wearing Air Force blues. I hated it when I was there but like having the degree now. I don't plan on ever having to use it, but I'm sure sometime down the road it will come in handy.

I can't really tell you anything about Monterey. I know a couple of people who did the ME program but I don't think they come on here. If you have any other more detailed questions I'll try and answer them.

 

[Chris Hill]

AE-IGEP more questions

Thanks for the help. How intense was the program? How many other Navy guys were going through the program with you? I think I can stand the AF trekkies as long as I have a few peers of similar interests.

Thanks again.

 

[kray1395]

I was an ME in undergrad so I had to learn a lot of the AE fundamentals when I got to AFIT. That was fine except they taught everything at a master's level. There was a lot that I felt was way over my head. Fortunately, most of the instructors grade at a master's level as well. That is to say, they feel that by being in graduate school, you've already proven yourself as an A/B student. So, you should also receive A's and B's in graduate school. Even if you really bomb at a class, chances are good that you'll still get a B. There was one exception to this in my case, but I won't go into that teacher. <Grrrrr>

The thesis will take most of your time beginning with the second quarter and getting heavy in the third and final quarter. They don't expect you to do anything towards it during the first quarter. I was able to take some TAD to the Philly area to work on my thesis. The final report was around 60 pages. A couple of Ensigns were around 100. There is a huge range of topics that you can get into so finding something that interests you shouldn't be hard. Mine was about flight simulation. Ever see that A-1 steak sauce commercial with the dude in the centrifuge? That was the simulator.

I was one of eleven ensigns there. There were also about the same number of fleet aviators who were there for 15-18 months before heading to TPS. Every single one of us got along great. Your Navy peers will definitely help you get through. The last of us Ensigns just completed API and we're now spread out between Whiting, Corpus, and Vance. I still keep in touch with most of the TPS guys and they will be awesome mentors down the road should I decide to try and follow their route. The cool thing is that should all the cards fall into place, I'm pretty well lined up for a spot in TPS. That is of course assuming that the becoming a Naval Aviator and performing well in the fleet works out well.

You will find that a few of your AF peers are pretty cool and will become good friends with them as well. The majority of them you just won't talk to at all. Some are very interested in hanging around the Navy guys and figuring out what it is that's different that we bring to the table. There is a noticable difference between how we operate in uniform and how they do. You'll see what I mean if you go there. I guess I'd do it again if I had the choice all over. But while I was there I was really wondering why I didn't just go straight to Pensacola.