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Education Quality   B
Collaboration/Competitive   B

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Quite Bright
Throughout my experience at HPU, the majority of my professors were likeable in their ability to teach; however, course concepts are are made easily to understand. Not too much brainstorming goes on in my classroom.

A great amount of students express lament for the Financial Aid Office. Not so much in my case. I was very well prepared, got my loans in order, successfully completed my fafsa without any errors. I didn't require any "pampering" throughout the process.

Downtown campus aesthetics come down to a horrible location in downtown Honolulu/China Town. Homeless residents, potential robbers, crowded strip-type pathway. Commercial area in which HPU probably has expensive leases for offices.

Fairly diverse student body with representations of all ethnic/cultural/socio-economic backgrounds.

Nursing program is SOMEWHAT cut-throat competitively. A factor in the nursing shortage can be seen here at HPU. Too many applicants and limited seats. Ridiculous policy of "honoring HPU students" on the basis of credits and not so much on merit. You'll often hear nursing students express opinions on how much easier it is to get into the nursing program at HPU than it is at UH-Manoa. This is explains the large amount of transfers and HPU nursing students. But does this necessarily make HPU's nursing program "better"? No but it is sufficient enough to equip students to be come so-called "good nurses"

Everywhere you go, there will always be snooty, snobby, narrow-minded individuals. HPU is no different. There are students of elite snobbery and there are students high intellect who come from humble roots. No escaping high school clique mentality.

A major difference between ivy league schools and HPU is basically attitude and a bunch of other factors that I won't get into. IF you are looking for a school that fosters intellect and pursuit of knowledge, go elsewhere. IF you are looking for a school that will prepare you to be a profitable job candidate, HPU is great.
Innovation: A, Collaboration/Competitive: C-
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Oct 08 2008 1st Year Female -- Class 2011  
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Quite Bright
I went to HPU for one semester as a marine biology major. There are positive and negative aspects to the school. I said I would not return for one main reason: EXPENSIVE and the financial aid dept. is horrible. I have heard so many conflicting things from them, I just don't know what to believe. When I first moved here, I had all my financial aid settled. However, once school started, I discovered that they refused to accept my private loan and denied it (without telling me). So I had to refile FAFSA THREE times because of office errors (on HPU's side). Then, once I thought it was all straightened out and I got my refund check, they had cut the amount significantly AGAIN. Needless to say, I ended up working 30 hours a week in addition to going to school full-time (at the windward campus which is an hour commute from where I lived). Was not the best semester I've ever had.

With that aside, I will say the faculty was excellent. They have a lot of Ph.Ds, especially in the science department. I took an introductory to oceanography class and we were on a research vessel (12 students max) four hours a week. We saw humpback whales, some green sea turtles, a hammerhead shark, and random fish. The education is of high quality and there are many opportunities available to you. I will say, I had one professor (who only teaches this one class; she teaches at UH full-time) who's english was not the best. She was nice and pleasant until someone asked a question....then she would get mad. Our class kinda turned it into a joke and asked questions on purpose...you know how they are. The entire class was a joke; I had to do more work for that class than any other and it was a lab worth one credit (chem II lab btw).

The negative comments about the downtown campus are correct. It's not a real campus; it's spread throughout random buildings in the fort street mall. For example, the moldy old library is on the second, third, and fifth floors of one building. This is not a safe place. At night, AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I had to wait for the bus there for an hour after my evening class at about ten pm. I've had a few incidents. There are some security guards around the area, but if they are of any assistance to you, I'd be surprised. Plus, ChinaTown is a block down.

The Hawai'i Loa campus is nicer; on it's own property, but is small. They are planning on integrating all of HPU to this campus and expanding it in the next few years...something to look forward to.

For me, I'm transferring to somewhere a little more affordable.

So, in the end, it's a great education, Hawai'i is an amazing place and you won't regret your time here however short or long it may be. But, beware of the price tag and the financial aid department. Good luck and e komo mai to Hawai'i!
Education Quality: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: D+
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Sep 12 2008 1st Year Female -- Class 2010  
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Bright
This university definitely hire and utilize some of the greatest professors but the admin officials themselves still have some room for improvement. This is a relatively new institution compared to the UH system schools but HPU tries its greatest attempt to serve its students efficiently.

Downtown campus is more of a commercial setting with other non HPU facilities-not a traditional isolated block of institutionally owned land. Like others have mentioned, there are a great deal of homeless people, potential/actual burglars, etc. Not the cleanest college campus but decent.

Windward campus is pretty with island scenery but a bitch to commute to unless you're dorming or live in the area. The intercampus shuttle can be crowded, in fact limited per van.

All in all, "college is what you make of it", take advantage of what you pay for. But if HPU doesn't have the right resources to help you make it happen, go elsewhere.

I am a transfer student and I wished I stayed on the mainland but the past 3 years hasn't killed me. Decent school.

So easy to get in, just like getting into Universal Technical Institute but with entrance requirements. 2.0 GPA will get you in regardless of the other aspects of your applicant profile.
Surrounding City: A, Social Life: C-
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Sep 03 2008 2nd Year Female -- Class 2010  
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Super Brilliant
It is unfortunate that pro UH Manoa transfer students feel the compulsion to express their caustic visceral biases against HPU on this board. Isn't Hawai'i big enough to have several schools?
Faculty Accessibility: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C+
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Aug 26 2008 2nd Year Male -- Class 2010  
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