university options for BI grads

[knieft]

Aloha all,

I just spent the spring break week in central Utah with my daughter perusing UVU.

http://www.uvu.edu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Valley_University

Initially she was keen on it because of a recruitment fair and I poo-poo-ed it. "You don't decide on a college based on a table at a recruitment fair!" Nevertheless, my main criteria for her college was that she not go into debt to do it. And Utah Valley University is among the few places she could go that meet that criteria.

Hawaii has reciprocal agreements with several states for in-state tuition but when you actually check it out the possibilities are often slim/expensive. Though Utah is not on the reciprocal list, UVU will grant out of state students in-state tuition with a fine GPA from high school.

$2635/semester. That's about 1/4th of UH-Manoa (in what is to me a slum in one of the highest cost of living cities in the country) and cheaper than UH-Hilo. More unheard-of is that it is a 100% admission school--perhaps that is why they woo the relatively upper end students with tuition breaks.

The campus was the cleanest, most spacious and well-organized place I've ever seen. Rock-climbing wall, bowling, racquetball, dance, etc etc. And the setting was more than spectacular. The snowcapped mountains on two and a half sides made Mauna Kea seem silly in comparison.

Students get a bus/rail pass for $80/year including all trains to SLC and its burbs.

This is LDS territory, of course. UVU is in Orem, and Provo/BYU is indistinguishable blocks away. Orem is 92% LDS and UVU is 72-80% LDS. We're still wondering what the cons of that will be (outside of a lack of raves ), but the pros are clear: no littering, vandalism, petty crime, etc.

We'll see how it goes, but I thought a thread on college options might be useful. No need to comment specifically on the UVU option, but howsit seem to other parents looking over their kids shoulders regarding graduation and college...?

Cheers,
Kirt

[Carey]

Although it is wonderful to THINK there is "no petty crime", the truth is that Provo & the BYU area has seen an increase in sexual assault.

I do not have any info on UVU & Orem, but if they are as close as you have stated, I would hope that you accurately report this to your daughter & make sure that she is well equipped for the potential of date-rape, sexual assault by an un-known and other very real, non-petty crimes that are a reality at most EVERY CAMPUS.

I do know that it is easier to believe that the campus you send your daughter to will be crime free, with no raves, and no abuse....but reality is where you should base your decisions, your stating there is no petty crime & no raves has me thinking that you are not accurately researching this decision...
BYU report on sexual assault from last fall:
http://universe.byu.edu/2014/11/27/sexua...evention1/

ADD, and have you looked at UHH? they have a climbing wall!

[pahoated]

You also don't decide on a college strictly on the tuition and recreational activities. A long time ago, college was not chosen on social media "prettiness" and was chosen for curriculum and practicum knowledge. So what, this is a mainland college is WAAAYYYY better than UH fishing line? Somewhat amusing. Can't think of any place more hellish than Utah. Yes, everybody go there, please. Mahalo.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[shockwave rider]

Pacific University in Forest Grove Oregon is a small private school with a long tradition of students from Hawaii, in fact they have an admissions officer on Oahu who travels to neighbor islands and an advisor for Hawaii students on campus. They are also known for having one of the best student run luaus on the west coast. The tuition is steep but they have good financial aid so most of their students graduate with less debt than in state graduates from the big Oregon state schools. Small classes, excellent faculty who are invested in their students, close knit campus, no athletic scholarships so the teams are real "student athletes" in a safe small town but close to Portland. Small private schools with good financial aid endowments are often overlooked by students who would be eligible for substantial financial aid.

[ironyak]

Yes, everyone please go to Utah, at least once in your life. With stunning views and easy access to natural wonders such as Bryce and Zion National Parks and recreational options like Moab and Lake Powell, it is a paradise for outdoor adventuring. From the Salt Lake area is an easy drive to everything from skiing, to Vegas, to Yellowstone, to the Sundance Film Festival. Hellish number of opportunities perhaps.

Can't speak to UVU, but college is a great time to broaden horizons, and Kirt has the academic concerns covered no doubt. This isn't a knock to UH, but there is a wide world out there that college makes available, especially with financial aid. Will be encouraging my kiddos to consider all the options when the time comes.

Apply to several, request financial aid packages, and enjoy exploring the possibilities - it'll lead somewhere amazing. Best of luck!

[knieft]

Carey,

Yes I clearly overstated the crime-free appearance. As regards to sexual assault I am surprised there is not more, way more, given the chastity ring state of child rearing for so many there. I read the police blotters from several sources in the area. It was almost humorous in that the crimes were so silly. Two students were caught having sex in an empty classroom and were simply sent on their way. I was very glad to see they weren't burned at the stake.

It isn't really a matter of what is easier for me to believe. The lack of partying for the university students is a major con for the area, to my way of thinking, and I am surprised that my daughter doesn't see that as a deal breaker whatsoever. I guess she has already experienced enough for a while in Puna.

Yeah, I guess rock-climbing walls are pretty standard. Like most of her friends near graduation, my daughter is not interested in more Hilo/Puna, but in going to the mainland and getting on with the adventure. In any case, I am simply supporting her in what she wants to do, not manipulating her to go to a certain university. That said, I do try to help her see that a dual major in business and math, would be better than business alone.

Shockwave,

I have heard good things about Pacific from others as well. Thanks for the reply! We are rich enough not to get squat financial aid, but not enough to loan out the higher tuitions to our kid. The student debt issue isn't an issue if you get that post graduate job, I guess.

The most unique thing I see about UVU is the 100% admission policy.

Pahoated,

You should have stated that _you_ don't decide on a college strictly based on the tuition and recreational activities. Oh wait, that's what you said. But I think you were telling me, or my daughter, how to decide, no?

A math major is pretty much a math major and UVU does have a very reputable business program. Recreation is important to many, and as ironyak said, the surrounding area is incredible. Not sure what social media "prettiness" or UH fishing line are so I'll leave you to that expertise.

And the idea of going to university, ending up in major debt (to which the government has strings attached) with poor job prospects _is_ my major worry. Since we will be loaning her much of the money she will need beyond her working through uni herself, tuition is a huge consideration for us.

Beyond that, on the idea of prestige in university, I see the ivy league schools as being the arsewhole factories of our country (excepting math and science). A close friend dropped out of Harvard before the first christmas cursing the huge class sizes, TA "professors", embarrassment of his slurping classmates, etc. Everyone's situation is different and to each his/her own.

I would like to think that higher education is not a commodity, but reality keeps me from doing so.

Posters can comment all they want on our decision, but I was hoping for some more ideas (like Shockwave's) about good options for BI kids going on to college...might be a useful thread for the archives.

Cheers,
Kirt

[leilanidude]

Kirt - Thanks for mentioning this school. I had no idea that it was so large and respected; probably because I have been out of the college process for so long now with my own kids. It definitely sounds like a good option, especially when you consider its reputation AND cost.

[eigoya]

Thanks for that information. Having graduated many moons ago, I was shocked at the prices and expectations for incoming freshpeople (ie:parent debt equalling a nice mortgage). Mormons are money conscious and polite, what more could you ask from a neighbor? Re: rape when I got to Uni the word was the rape stats were very high because all the rapists in the area came to campus because of the "coeds" there. Yes, many moons....Rape may be reported more now; but I doubt it is any more common.

[Lee M-S]

My sister went to university in Utah (don't know which U, it was near Logan). She's a foul-mouthed atheist, shacking up with her boyfriend.

But her neighbors were friendly and accepting; nobody burned a cross on her front lawn. They were even invited to speak at a class on marriage. And when she and boyfriend got married, the neighbor ladies got together and made her a quilt with a Holly Hobby design. Um...I don't even think it was intended as irony.

What I would worry about is that it gets FREAKING COLD up there. I was in SLC in November years ago, and none of the water fountains worked. Someone finally clued me in; they turn them off so they don't freeze.


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[2liveque]

the best school for any Big Island grad?
Simple answer: The one that works best for them. For many (and their families), it could be Hawaii community college. For others, it might be Harvard or the University of Washington. I appreciate your post to provide another option for folks to look at, because that is surely the only thing we can do -- offer options.

Sure, we can mention that cheap tuition at UVU -- BUT that always comes with some kind of catch. Some institutions have even offered FREE tuition to entice students to come. There is always a reason colleges offer such enticing options and that reason usually is....drum role please.......D-D -D-DIVERSITY! LDS country in Utah? 'Nuff said. Check out the website provided. UVU is not very diverse. Now if you come from a Caucasian family, this may not be as important. If you are LDS, better yet! Again, there is always more to the story.

And of course, nothing is free. There are still many other expensive line items to consider when going to college out of state.