University of Hawaii at Hilo Admission
University of Hawaii at Hilo Undergraduate Program
University of Hawaii at Hilo Application

The Facts

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is a rather small branch of the larger University of Hawaii system which includes another 9 campuses throughout the islands, including a large campus at Manoa. U Hawaii, Hilo is home to more than 2,500 undergraduate students, and approximately 700 graduate and part-time professional students who can take classes at one of the 3 undergraduate or 2 graduate schools. The schools offer programs in the areas of agriculture, arts and science, Hawaiian language, marine science, volcanology, as well as astronomy. These academic division offer broad majors in the areas of agriculture, biological science, (which includes a renowned marine science program) business, communications and the arts, computer and physical science, health professions, as well as social science (which offers programs in Japanese studies, and Hawaiian studies). The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers its students a wide range of majors both in the liberal arts and preprofessional studies, however, some of the most popular with students include majors in the areas of business, psychology, computer science, biology, as well as marine science.

Admission to the University of Hawaii at Hilo has grown more and more competitive in recent years, and the number of students applying has been increasing with each passing admissions cycle. Last year, over 1,300 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 850 of those students were admitted. Eventually however, only about 500 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1050 to 1095, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 20 to 26. Additionally, more than 60% of the admitted students were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about a 3.6.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 14:1, and most classes are well under 20 students. In fact, most students agree that one of the best aspect of attending the school are the small classes and the amount of attention you receive from your professors. They are always willing to answer questions after class, and do all they can to be as available to their students as possible.

The Social Scene

The town of Hilo itself is quite small, and located about 200 miles southeast of Honolulu, but this doesn’t mean that students have nothing to do! Hawaii is a vacation destination for people from all over the world, and students get to enjoy all the advantages of the beautiful island. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, rock climbing; you name it, students are able to do it. There are no fraternities or sororities, but students don’t seem to mind their absence one bit. Parties are frequent, and drinking is definitely one of the most popular modes of social interaction. The administration seems to turn a blind eye when it comes to partying, and U of Hawaii students take full advantage of the conditions.

The dating scene is reportedly incredible; the students are fun-loving, good-looking, and ready to please!

What’s Good

There is a ridiculous amount of things to do here. Sometimes it feels like you’re just on an extended vacation, not in school!”

The atmosphere in general is really chill here. People just do what they have to do, and just try to outdo each other.”

The faculty is incredible, and I’ve actually had classes where there are only about 8 of us!”

What’s Bad

It can be pretty difficult to focus on your work when you’re in such an amazing place, and if you skip class, your professors will definitely notice.”

The campus is kind of cliquey, and sometimes I wish we had frats so everyone could come together at parties or something.”

I wish we were closer to Honolulu, because once you’ve done all the outdoor stuff, you want to have some city experiences.”

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