StudentsReview :: Hawaii Pacific University - Extra Detail about the Comment
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Hawaii Pacific University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityA- Faculty AccessibilityB
Useful SchoolworkB- Excess CompetitionD
Academic SuccessB+ Creativity/ InnovationC
Individual ValueA+ University Resource UseD
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyC FriendlinessA
Campus MaintenanceD- Social LifeA
Surrounding CityB Extra CurricularsA
SafetyC+
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Approachable

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful

Male
SAT1420
Not so bright
Lowest Rating
Campus Maintenance
D-
Highest Rating
Individual Value
A+
He cares more about Campus Maintenance than the average student.
Date: May 20 2005
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
I came to Hawai'i Pacific from the East Coast, and it was quite a shock. I had visited for two days in the spring of my senior year in high school, but nothing could prepare me for living there. The first few weeks were hectic—I was living off campus and had no transportation besides a crappy bike and a bus, I was hitting the beach more than studying for class—but everyone was pretty friendly and eventually I got situated. Once I did, it was awesome. The academics are far from top-notch; my high school AP courses were, for the most part, more rigorous than any I've taken here.

I am a marine biology major on the Lo'a campus; marine biology is pretty good here just because of the location, and the boat is awesome, but the labs are nothing special.

The social life is pretty good for a guy like me—that is, a kid from an East Coast suburb who's always wanted to be a beach bum. Mostly I just surf with the guys, party with girls I meet at the beach, play Madden and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds offered up by Oahu. You can find great restaurants here, but if you're a broke college kid like me, you mostly stick to Mickey D's and KFC, unless you buy one of the crappy meal plans.

There are drawbacks besides the ho-hum academics (I guess some would see that as an advantage): I highly recommend, if you're looking at the Lo'a campus, buying an apartment in one of the neighboring areas, like Kailua or Kaneoh'e; the dorms at Lo'a are janitors closets, and the food is inedible. If you're on the main campus, get an apartment at Waikiki: a sweet area if you're into surfing and girls (or surfer guys, for all you ladies). Do not, repeat do not, stay in the Cadmus properties. They are cut up; it is literally living in a hotel room, usually with a roommate. Dorms are cramped as it is, but living in a hotel room with someone you dislike can be a living hell. Ask my friend. The only advantage of the Cadmus is that you can stay in them for 15-30 days while looking for housing at your own pace.

The libraries kind of suck, especially the one at the downtown campus. Many of the computers around campus are outdated, although we have plenty of new Dells.

If you're looking for a hollistic education, don't mess with the sciences; you are bogged down with… well, with science classes, and have almost no room in your schedule for liberal arts or any extraneous interests you might have. Not that the sciences classes are a huge challenge, but it can grow boring if you have other interests that you'd like to nurse on the side, like art of English literature.

I'm not going to give you the cliche about how "it is what you make of it". For students coming from the mainland, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are really into surfing and/or tanning. The academics aren't worth the distance you'll be travelling (and neither, for that matter, is the ridiculous 11-hour plane ride), so you have to be coming because you love the Aloha atmosphere. Luckily, I do, and I have learned a lot about myself since I've been down here.

 
Responses
questionHey dude, sounds like you are living the life! I will be moving from London to Hawaii in September. My classes will be in Windward campus. I was wondering how easy its to find a studio flat of a apartment/house to share near by the campus? Also is there any part-time job opportunities? Any advice much appreciated, cheers.
responseHey bro your the man. I'm a high school senior this year and about to graduate. This is the stuff that I really need to know. I'm glad someone knows whats up.
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Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University
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