| Location: | Alaska & Hawaii |
| Setting: | Large City Setting |
| Type: | Public |
| Size: | Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad) |
| Mascots: | Rainbow Warriors, Rainbow Wahine |
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system. The school is located in Mānoa, an urban neighborhood community of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, approximately three miles east and inland from downtown Honolulu and one mile from Ala Moana and Waikīkī. The campus occupies the eastern half of the mouth of the greater Mānoa Valley. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is governed by the Hawaii State Legislature and a semi-autonomous Board of Regents, which in turn hires a president to be administrator.
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa was founded in 1907 as a land grant college of agriculture and mechanical arts. In 1912 it was renamed the College of Hawaii and moved to its present location. William Kwai Fong Yap petitioned the territorial legislature six years later for university status which lead to another renaming to the University of Hawai'i in 1920. This is also the founding year of the College of Arts and Sciences.
In 1931 the Territorial Normal and Training School was absorbed into the university. It is now the College of Education.
Today the primary facet of the university consists of the four Colleges of Arts and Sciences: Arts and Humanities, Languages Literatures and Linguistics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The college of agriculture and mechanical arts is now the college of tropical agriculture and human resources (CTAHR), one of the few agricultural colleges in the United States focused on tropical research. The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is also home to two of the most prominent professional schools in the state. The William S. Richardson School of Law and the John A. Burns School of Medicine are the only law and medical schools in Hawaii, respectively. The Center for Hawaiian Studies provides 'excellence in the pursuit of knowledge concerning the Native people of Hawaii' .
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 8% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 18% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Western Athletic Conference) Basketball (Western Athletic Conference) Baseball (Western Athletic Conference) Track (Western Athletic Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-State | Out-of-State | |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 3,696 | $ 10,176 | |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 3,504 | $ 9,984 | |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 192 | $ 192 | |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 3,087 | 19% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 1,037 | 1% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 1,917 | 13% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,361 | 29% | |
Any Aid: |
53% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 65% (Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 87% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 490, Math: 520 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 580, Math: 620 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 15% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 21, Verbal: 20, Math: 21 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 25, Verbal: 26, Math: 26 |
| Application Fee: | $ 40.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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Question:
Attending U of Hawaii?
I am really set on going to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I live in Oregon now, and I'm wondering how bad the haole jokes and racism would be if I went there and started living in Hawaii afterwards. I've been to Hawaii and stayed with some friends, didn't get the touristy part, I really respect the Islands and love the laidback culture. I'm pretty dark for a whiteboy by the way.
13 months ago
Best Answer
I'm a UH Alumni. Good to hear that you're considering UH. Great school. True about the laidback culture, and I mean it in a good way. It brings balance in life (work & relaxation). It shouldn't matter if you're white or otherwise. The islands is multi-racial, multi-cultural. Not only among Americans, but globally. You will find a large number of foreign students in the island, and will realize it is the melting pot of the Pacific.
Apart from getting a good education at UH (and the laidback culture), you will get to learn about other cultures from throughout the world by interacting with the international student body. Because of this mix of people, you will not be the target of any jokes.
Racism exist everywhere throughout the world. The same goes for Hawaii. Just go with a clear mind, not thinking about what race/color you are, and treat everyone with the same respect, and you will be reciprocated with the same treatment.
Hope you do pick UH, and open yourself to newer cultures. You'll have a blast in the islands, and might consider staying on (who knows!).
All the best. Mahalo & Aloha ...
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Do you think it is possible??
14 months ago
Best Answer
Sure ... I went to the University of Hawaii, Manoa from UCSD for a year (not on an exchange program ... as a regular student). Hawaii is awesome, but watch out for island fever (if you don't know what it is you will after a couple months of being there).
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Question:
Becoming a doctor in Hawaii?
Does anyone know what it takes to become a doctor if you are from the mainland, but go to college and med school in hawaii? I am interested in Hawaii Pacific University Pre-Med, or UH Manoa Pre-Med, and then University of Hawaii Medical School. However, I have heard that only native hawaiians gain entry to the medical school. Is this true?
Also, does anyone know how well doctors are paid in Hawaii? I mean are they the ones you see living in these huge mansions on the island now? (Any info about this would be helpful)
Thank you!
14 months ago
Best Answer
No, the med school is open to all. But as it's a state funded institution, priority is given to residents with few slots to nons, so if you're a non, then you will be facing incredible competition on top of the normally highly competitive nature of med school itself.
Doctors are not paid very well in Hawaii with respect to cost of living. The major insurance carrier (HMSA) is a monopoly, and so reimburses docs very little and they have high expenses, so even your family practitioner has to often work 6-7 days a week / 12 hour days just to break even. It sucks. Most docs are therefore moving away elsewhere. If you're just in it for the money, I suggest you become a dentist instead. THEY are the ones who live in places like Waialae Iki ridge (upscale neighborhood on Oahu) as it's a much better paid profession and you work normal hours so you can actually enjoy life.
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Best Answer
Good in what sense? Academic programs? Student life?
It is a large university so it depends highly on the programs, but overall rates average/ slightly below average among State funded universities.
Student life is horrible. It's a commuter campus with ironically almost no parking for students, and for the few who live on campus, the dorms are so horrible some were forcibly closed by building inspectors.
Some of the academic buildings are in horrendous shape, falling apart, while nobody cares to fund improvements.
Libary services are poor. Nothing but old obsolete junk in there. Thankfully you'll get decent online academic database services so you can do all your research from home.
Also, don't fall for the campus being the in 'lush Manoa valley'. Truth is, the campus sits fronting the freeway so there's absolutely nothing 'tropical' about it.
Honestly, the campus has been its better years go by. Granted, as I mentioned, it depends on the program. The astronomy program at UH-M is one of the best out there, for example, and the business college is doing a 180 to improve itself with real results.
Unfortunately, this is the only real research level university institution in the entire State so the residents make do with it because it's all we got. It could be so much better but it's "better than nothing".
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Experiences? Grade averages? SAT scores? Extracurricular activities?
15 months ago
Best Answer
I went to UH at Mano for a summer class. I regularly attended Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) I perfer UH it was very open and GREEN and like a typical campus. HPU is downtown and among buildings and busy streets - yuck. Check out the schools you like before you go - its so hard to be stuck at a school where you don't feel right. Hawaii is great but after 3 1/2 years there I was ready to head back to the mainland! The only way I can describe it is like living in the past. things just take longer to happen there. Goodluck
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Question:
University of hawaii?
I'm having a hard time figuring out to transfer to a school in cali ( prob too exp) florida...or finishing here at baylor university.
I'm majoring in business, but my dream is to one day open my own hotel company (obv in 15- plus years after exp/money/credibility etc etc).
Anyhow, i dont know whether to finish with my finance degree and move to new york/make money and then open one in 10/15, or**
Transfer to hawaii...major in mang/or hotel mg...then minor in japenese (for tourists etc) would help i think for a job, and then work as a manager at a hotel in waikiki, get exp/money and do it that route.
ANY advice would be greatly appreciated, and about the univ. of hawaii's reputation, because baylor is ranked 60th in the nation and maybe it's better to go to hawaii for the reputation/industry/location etc. need some advice here.
19 months ago
Best Answer
I graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and I learned MUCH more than I ever dreamed. Hawai'i is the epitome of diversity and multi-culturalism. If you're in to learning about other cultures, languages, histories, traditions, and so forth, I encourage you to apply to UH. They have a great Business School that promotes the Hospitality Trade. What more can I say? Why stay landlocked at Baylor when you have an opportunity to live in the most remote archipelago in the world?
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Question:
Does anyone go to University of Hawaii?
Does anyone go to UH Manoa? I'm considering going there because I love Hawaii and I have a lot of family there. Is it a good school? What are the dorms and food like? Are the classes and teachers good?
19 months ago
Best Answer
As far as academic reputation goes, UH Manoa does not have very good reputation in general and the dorm space is very limited and the housing office is helpless. I found it is extremely difficult to find a reasonable housing at a reasonable price. And I believe UH Manoa scores fairly low on typical college reviews (e.g. princeton review, etc.) Bottom lines, I wouldn't recommend coming to this school unless you have one of following reasons, love to surf and love to live in hawaii, or want to attend one of world class graduate program (astrochemistry, astronomy, high energy physics, volcanology, marine science, planetology, geophysics). These programs have realy good reputations. This is my third years in UH Manoa and I can't wait go back to mainland.
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I am interested in the Communications graduate programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University. Because Hawaii is so diverse, it seems like it would be a good place to study international communication. However, I have heard from several people who used to live in Hawaii that the quality of the academic programs at Hawaiian universities is not that great. Does anyone have any opinions on this?
Thanks!
20 months ago
Best Answer
I'm a Secondary Education major at UH Manoa, but I have four friends that are majoring in Communications. From what I've heard from them, UH has a pretty good program. As for the quality of education in general, I would have to say its not up to par with other universitites. Its not that you aren't learning anything, but some classes I have taken were a little too easy. I am of course comparing this to my high school experiences in California. The guy who posted above me is right and wrong. Yes our education is not that great, but it is not a result of students who just want to be there for the surf or beach. Hawai'i is not a "paradise" there are cities here and with them are poverty, low income families, and poorly funded schools. All in all though, I think you are right, Hawai'i has a unique environment to study international com. We have a very diverse population here with plenty of aloha. Well hope this helps you! Merry XMAS
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Question:
If you were to go to college in Hawaii?
Where would you most opt to go? Hawaii Pacific University or University of Hawaii?
24 months ago
Best Answer
Hello,
I'm assuming you're referring to UH-Manoa rather than UH-Hilo, since the two are more comparable.
Here are some quick stats:
UNIV. OF HAWAII-MANOA
Enrollment: 13,831
Average GPA: 3.41
Average SAT: 1104
Average ACT: 23
Student Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Most Popular Majors: Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Psychology, General
Out-of-State Tuition: $14,400 (2007 school year)
In-State Tuition: $5,136 (2007 school year)
Undergraduate receiving need-based financial aid: 34%
Average freshman total need-based gift aid: $3,498
HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY:
Enrollment: 6,296
Average GPA: 3.29
Average SAT: 1002
Average ACT: 21
Student Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Most Popular Majors: , Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Management Information Systems, General, Nursing - Registered Nurse Training (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
Tuition: $12,232
Undergraduate receiving need-based financial aid: 36%
Average freshman total need-based gift aid: $4,066
HPU has several advantages:
1. It's cheaper for out-of-town residents, and a higher percentage of freshmen receive financial aid, and the average financial aid dollar amount is higher than for UH - this is not surprising since private schools tend to be more generous. But if you're an in-state resident, UH Manoa is so much cheaper that you'd have to get a huge grant from HPU for the tuition amounts to be comparable.
2. The entrance requirements are less rigorous (lower GPA and SAT requirement), so it's easier to get in
Then again, so does UH:
1. Larger student body, so more diversity and more social life
2. Lower student-teacher ratio, so more personal attention in class
3. UH offers a wide variety of degree programs, and also has graduate degrees in law, architecture, nursing, and business, among others. UH Manoa has the only accredited law and medical schools in Hawaii. UH also has many campuses so if you want to transfer, it's not difficult.
It's really a personal decision that boils down to (1) your choice of major, (2) your personal preferences, and (3) the amount of financial aid you can get from both institutions. Like others have said, if you have a major in mind, it may be better to choose your college based on which of the two has the superior program for your major. But keep in mind that many people - including myself - change their minds about their majors along the way, so just because one school doesn't have the BEST program for your hoped-for major, don't disqualify it immediately. However, if you know that it has a horrible program for your major, then I'd suggest cutting it out of the running.
As far as your personal preferences, that speaks to how much of a social life you want to have on campus. I'm NOT saying that HPU doesn't have a social life; I'm just saying that there are more opportunities to meet more people and a thriving social life at Manoa just 'cause it's way bigger. So this should help you choose.
As I mentioned earlier, cost is always an issue. For in-state residents (which you probably are since you have 808 in your screen name), Manoa tends to be cheaper even taking into account the fact that more freshmen receive financial aid from HPU, and the average freshman receives a higher $ amount of financial aid at HPU. But who knows? If you have great SAT scores and a great GPA, you're not going to be limited by cost. I'd apply to both and see what kind of financial package you can expect to receive before making a decision.
Good luck!!! College is so much fun, I hope you enjoy yourself while you're studying hard while you have the chance. =)
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