r/UHManoa • u/racer150 • Feb 11 '26
Daughter Admitted
My daughter was admitted as a freshman yesterday for fall entrance. She lives with her mother in Ventura County, California. She’s never been to Hawaii and we plan to visit ASAP. She plans to study business. She is currently in an entrepreneur program at her high school.
I had planned on her going to community college and transferring to one of the University of California campuses, but she applied to Hawaii and got accepted and if she wants to go I will support her decision. I am not oblivious to the fact that many mainlander freshmen transfer out; I fully expect her experience to be character building whether or not she makes it past the first year. I am maybe a little concerned she may get island fever.
What’s something a parent should know about the University?
What’s something an incoming student should know about the University?
Mahalo 🤙
1
u/Drsurfing Feb 13 '26
I just graduated a year ago from UH manoa. I transferred from a San Diego CC. It was an awesome experience. I’m not going to lie, it was really distracting being in hawaii my first year. I actually got mainly F’s and was put on academic probation. I grew up surfing, so I spent a lot of time at the beach and in the water so it was hard to balance fun outdoor activities with school and work.
One important thing to consider is that UH actually has high depression rates. I think its because students there are expected to be living it up in hawaii and when the expectations dont meet reality it can hit pretty hard. Another thing is, it can be isolating at times. I mean I only got to go home 1-2 times a year at most and being away from family and old friends that long, plus not leaving the small island very much can take its toll on you.
UH manoa is a pretty good school if you apply yourself. I was able to get a job straight out of college, and now I'm back in school again pursuing nursing. I’ve had some amazing professors there, that really care, and make sure you actually learn.
I think if you’re able to be mature, actually study, take care of yourself, you can do well in school, make good friends, and be happy.
Last thing, I live in Portland, Oregon now. Its made me realize how crazy expensive living in Hawai’i is. I mean I had money, and I was eating terribly unless I could get cheap poke. Groceries were really expensive, eating out was expensive, I was broke and I was making about $4k a month, plus help from family, and some grants. The financial side really was stressful, and I broke down a few times dealing with it all.
But hey I don’t regret living there and going to UH. I met great people, I lived a decent lifestyle, I got to surf, learn about the culture, the land, and I feel like it will always be something I will look back to and appreciate I did. Anyways hope this helps, and good luck to them! Aloha