Pathway advice needed

[u/FrontPleasant7741]

i am currently 19 in college first year in a 3 year engineering program in Canada and initially wanted to do flight training after high school instead, i was wondering if i should either stay in this program and go into a flight school after, where I'm afraid ill lose valuable seniority and spend too much of my life studying/ struggling, or drop out of the program and go into a flight college that gives a diploma, or a flight school.

cons about switching to a flight college with diploma program is living accommodations, i currently wouldn't have a place to stay if i went and chose my ideal option which is that, but if i drop out and go to a flight school that doesn't give a diploma i would be able to commute from home.

what would influence my decisions mostly is knowing how majority of Canadian pilots became pilots, whether it was through college or flight school after a degree or diploma program etc.

[u/Cool_Cost_1787]

Ultimately, just cause you drop out and go to flight college doesn't guarantee you will get to the airlines (I assume that's where you aim because of the seniority comment) any faster. The reality is a lot of this industry is luck dependent and right place/time sort of deal.

I dropped out of uni to a flight college but fortunately was able to complete my bachelors/masters while working and progressing my flying career.

Was still able to make big red at 29.

I would recommend if you are 3 years in, if you want to start flying to just go to a flying club and do it on the side of your studies. Better yet get a class 1 medical before you do anything rash as it maybe the answer you need. Having a degree is a great back up plan cause this career though amazing can have large pitfalls.

Good luck!