And don't forget the Cybernetics skill. Getting that to level 1 will enable you to add +3 to all your stats by adding cybernetic implants, which makes the whole training queue much quicker. It is something like minutes to train cybernetics to level 1.

You must have Science at level 3 to get Cybernetics, so a brand new pilot would do well to try and get that as a beginning skill. If that is not possible (maybe some bloodlines don't give you science 3 at the start) then train your science skill after your intelligence and memory are at lvl 3 or so.

There is such a thing as implants that add +5 to your stats, but they are extremely expensive and you need cybernetics lvl 5 for those. The +3 implants are about 18 mil each, I think.

Edited to add the details of implants, as suggested