Honolulu Magazine 2022 College Guide

COLLEGE GUIDE MAGAZINE PRESENTS

2022

Finances Preparing in High School Surviving College Important Test Dates Combating Loneliness

2022 COLLEGE GUIDE

contents

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Budgeting 101

P U B L IS H E R

SCOTT SCHUMAKER ASS OC IAT E P U B L IS H E R

DONNA KODAMA-YEE

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A Local Kid’s Guide to Surviving College

E DITOR

CHRISTI YOUNG P ROJE C T MANAGE R

KATRINA VALCOURT P ROJE C T E DITOR

How to Combat Loneliness P. CG 10

Preparing for College in High School P. CG 12

Ready, Set, College

O N THE COVER: Photo by Chanelle Camero

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EVE HUDDLESTON C RE AT IV E DIRE C TOR

JAMES NAKAMURA S E C T ION ART DIRE C TOR

KAYLA RIVERA ST RAT E GIC PART NE RS H IP S

MICHELLE STOFLE ACCOU NT E X E C U T IV E S

DONNIE FORD KERRI MOKULEHUA WRITTEN, DESIGNED AND PUBLISHED BY

The College Guide is published as a supplement to HONOLULU Magazine, October 2021. © 2021 by PacificBasin Communications, 1088 Bishop St. Suite LL2 Honolulu, HI 96813.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES, COURTESY OF CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

A MESSAGE FROM

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Aloha!

There are not many more pivotal milestones that a young person gets to experience than taking their first steps toward a college degree. But as exciting a journey as it may be, the road to higher education can be full of obstacles and uncertainty, especially when it comes to personal finances.

We’re here to help.

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union has partnered with HONOLULU Magazine to create the 2022 College Guide, an essential resource to help both parents and students navigate the common questions that arise during the college planning process.

From advice on how to successfully budget and manage your money, to choosing the right school, you’ll find helpful information that can be put into use right away.

Guiding our members and local communities to reach their financial dreams has been our commitment from the start. And with our long-standing history with the Department of Education, we know the value that a higher education can bring not only to individuals, but to the entire community.

We hope this year’s College Guide inspires your next steps—both in the classroom and in life—and we can’t wait to see what adventures await.

Mahalo nui loa,

Greg Young Greg Young

PRE SID E NT & CEO HAWAIIU SA FEDER A L CREDIT UNION

How will I pay for college? Which one should I choose?

Get answers to these questions and more: GoHawaiiGrad.com HawaiiUSA in partnership with HACAC

2022 COLLEGE GUIDE |

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Budgeting 101 As you navigate through classes and exams, here are five budgeting tips from HawaiiUSA FCU to help you manage your finances like a pro.

BY M A R I A K A N A I

K E E P T RAC K O F YO U R MONEY

It sounds simple. But while Venmo, Apple Pay and automatic credit card payments are convenient, efficient and can keep you from paying dreaded late fees, it can be easy to lose track because you never actually see your money. Choose a method that works for you so you can have your finances in the same, easily accessible place.

H OW TO S TA R T

Let’s be honest: You probably check your phone more than anything else. So make it work for you. HawaiiUSA FCU and other credit unions and banks have digital banking that can give you real-time updates on your accounts and debit and credit cards. Most importantly, many have spending alerts to flag you before you go over budget. The HawaiiUSA FCU mobile app and other apps including Mint and Pocketguard can connect various bank and credit card accounts so you can see how you’re doing in an instant.

One old-school but simple way to keep your finances front

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COLLEGE IS AN EXCITING TIME OF INDEPEN-

It’s also a big introduction to the R-word: responsibility (yes, we know you’ve heard it before). But whether you’re going off island or staying in Hawai‘i, managing your finances and keeping a budget are some of the best life lessons you will learn.

It can be daunting—it’s hard enough juggling midterms, early morning classes and a vibin’ social life. The good news: The experts at HawaiiUSA FCU have some real-life tips to get new college students started.

DENCE AND FREEDOM.

and center is to use a calendar. Write down every expense, and total them up at the end of each day.

If you want to be really strict, withdraw a set amount of cash every month and use only dollars and cents until you run out. If you must charge something, take that exact amount out of your stash.

SET FINANCIAL PRIORITIES

Determining how much money you have available and what you absolutely need every month is necessary when planning a budget. What is essential and what do you just want? Categorizing items accordingly, and setting aside a little extra, will give you the most accurate assessment of your financial situation.

H OW TO S TA R T

Create a bare-bones budget with just food, housing, transportation and fees. Then play “would you rather” with other everyday expenses to determine what you’re willing to give up. Would you rather have daily boba tea or dinner out every weekend with friends? Get takeout three times a week or travel during your break?

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

If you are dipping into your savings, how much do you want to have left after graduation to rent an apartment or move to a new place?

Remember, you can always talk with a financial coach at the credit union for help.

B E R E S P O N S I B L E W I T H YO U R C R E D I T CA R D D E BT

Credit cards can be a convenient and effective way to pay for your school and living expenses. But remember, credit cards aren’t free money. It’s easy to fall behind if you carry over balances, which results in paying those high interest rates and potentially damaging your credit score. Pay in full every month or pay your balance down as much as possible. Treat your credit card spending exactly the same as all your other spending (within a budget), and it can become a tool you use with confidence.

H OW TO S TA R T

The easiest way to never miss a payment? Set up autopay so you won’t be subject to overdue fees. If you’re still not sure, use a debit card or cash instead. It’s also a good idea to check your credit score from time to time and pay attention to annual fees.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Things don’t always go as planned. That’s why it’s important to set aside extra money for emergencies and other unexpected expenses. A small contribution each month, even $10-$20, into savings can make a big difference.

Also, never put unexpected expenses on a credit card. Think of it this way: If you don’t have the money to pay for a broken phone today, how will you be able to pay for it in the coming months, plus interest? Your future self will thank you for building an emergency fund.

H OW TO S TA R T

Even with a full load of classes, you might have time for a side job. Or, work over the summer and stash your paycheck. Sell old textbooks, gently used clothes, furniture or items for extra money online. Put gift money directly into savings. If you get a raise, increase automatic paycheck deposits directly into your savings so you’re not tempted to spend it.

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Do You Need a Traditional Bank or Credit Union?

The short answer: Yes! The long answer: There are major perks that come with credit unions like HawaiiUSA FCU. It all stems from the confidence in knowing someone is there for you, regardless of how you prefer to do your banking. You can walk in to talk face to face with a financial adviser, chat online with a digital banking agent or call, knowing you are working with someone you can trust with your finances.

Just as importantly, you get a relationship that spans products, services and time with a sense of aloha, connection and transparency—and flexibility too when hard times hit, and loans need to be approved or grace periods extended. Bonus: Through the shared branching network, you can access your account through another credit union’s branch on the mainland.

CUT COSTS WHEN PRACTICAL

Plan it out! You’d be surprised at how much money you can save on necessary expenses simply by researching other options or thinking ahead.

H OW TO S TA R T 1 Create a weekly meal plan based on supermarket sales. Cook dinner with friends or roommates and split the cost of ingredients.

2 Look into student discounts on campus and other places including movies, gym memberships, Amazon, Apple and more.

3 You probably have already thought of buying used textbooks but consider borrowing them from the university library for free. Or find a friend who plans to take the same class, share the price and agree to pass the book on.

4 Head outside for cheap entertainment! Every state has free trails, botanical gardens and parks. Many parks have seasonal programming as well.

5 Split memberships. Costco and streaming channels like Netflix often allow you to share an account with a certain number of people for free.

6 Try going without your Starbucks or Red Bull for a week or two and see if you can live without it.

7 Buy gift cards online or in bulk at discounted prices. Around the holidays, many restaurants offer their own deals, like a $25 gift card when you buy $100.

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A Local Kid’s Guide to Surviving Tips to stay on top of academics, money and more.

College

BY C AS S I DY K E O L A , S H I N A E L E E AND EVE HUDDLESTON

Scheduling Classes 1.

With so many options available, pace yourself. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with hard classes, but you also don’t want to bore yourself with too many easy ones.

2.

Before signing up for classes, check ratemyprofessors.com. Professors can often make or break a class and your GPA, so it is helpful to see what previous students have had to say.

3.

Don’t stack all of your classes on the same days. If you have to, check if your professors allow you to eat in class and bring a lunch.

Don’t starve!

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4.

Have some backups ready.

There is a chance that as a firstyear, you won’t get everything you want, so look for courses that may count toward your requirements, even if they’re not among your top choices.

5.

Remember to check not just the times, but also locations. If you have back-to-back classes across campus from each other, will you make it? And remember, Hawai‘i kid, if snow is involved, it could take you longer to get there.

6.

Interested in studying abroad?

It might be difficult to find classes that meet your major requirements abroad, so save some of your core requirements to take abroad instead.

Getting Around • Research public transportation.

Bus or metro passes are often included in a university’s student fees.

• Split rides with friends. Riding by yourself in an Uber or Lyft can be expensive and sometimes sketchy, so travel in groups.

• Find the nearest Zipcar. The minimum age for most car rentals is 25, but Zipcar members can rent a car at 18 with a valid driver’s license.

• Depending on the size of your school, you may want to invest in a bike or skateboard to shave off minutes when getting from one class to the next.

SURVIVING COLLEGE

Working Part-Time • Search the school’s job database. Campus jobs usually hire for the next year or semester, so more crop up near the end of term.

• Walk into places where you want to work and ask if they’re hiring. Bring your résumé and leave it with them in case of an opening.

• Look for “help wanted” signs on and off campus.

Go on a walk downtown and keep your eye out around campus. Some jobs might not be posted online.

• If all else fails, the dining hall is usually an easy place to get hired as a student.

Gearing Up 1 If you’re heading someplace cold, it’s best to buy winter jackets there to save money and space in your suitcase. Plus you can see what the others kids are wearing.

2 In many places, it will get dark

around 4 p.m. during the winter. So consider buying a sun lamp to fight those dark afternoons and seasonal depression.

3 Be the cool kid from Hawai‘i with all the ‘ono Hawai‘i snacks—Spam, furikake popcorn, li hing mui sour belts— and a rice cooker. Spread da aloha.

4 If you’re lucky you’ll get a twin XL in your dorm, but most likely you’ll be stuck with a twin bed. Either way, college dorm beds are not comfortable. A mattress pad, however, is an easy fix.

5 Buy an extension cord. Your dorm will most likely be small with one outlet.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES; ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY IMAGES

Money Tips

Download an app such as Venmo or Cash App. Every time you go out to eat with friends, come across a campus fundraiser or just need to pay your roommate for toilet paper, various apps and some banks let you do it instantly, so you can request and send money from a bank account.

Buying Books Don’t go to the campus bookstore first! While it’ll be your No. 1 resource for school swag, the books are almost always pricier there.

Don’t buy or rent your books before the class starts. Even if the book is listed on the syllabus, there’s a good chance you won’t actually be reading it, or your professor will provide PDF versions of the chapters you are reading.

BookFinder.com is an incredible online resource—it compares prices of new and used books from more than 100,000 sellers, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Buying used textbooks is cheaper; plus you may find useful notes to help you ace the test. (Think of it as a free personal tutor.)

Check Amazon for textbook rentals.

Anyone with a school email address can start an Amazon Prime Student account for half the usual membership price, which comes with free two-day shipping and access to free movies and music. (Amazon also offers a six-month free trial.)

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STUDENT TO STUDENT

How to Combat Loneliness in Your First Year It’s rarely talked about amid all the excitement about this new chapter in your life, but your first year of college can be very lonely. Here’s how I worked through it and my tips for you.

BY E V E H U D D L E S T O N

1. Exercise on a regular schedule. Go to the gym and work out. Not only can you sweat away all that anxious energy and fill your body with endorphins, going at the same time helped me get into a daily routine and meant I saw the same people at the gym every day. Start smiling at them and they’ll likely smile back. More often than not, people are feeling the same way you are.

2. Reach out to others in your classes, even in small ways. One of my closest friends at school is a girl I met in philosophy class during first semester. We lived in the same dorm building and I would always see her walking to class, so one day I simply asked if I could walk with her. She was happy I reached out and said she had been thinking about asking me the same thing but was too nervous. It may be difficult, but contrary to what you may believe—that they will think you’re weird or too aggressive—the person will most likely see you as confident.

3. Learn how to be OK with eating alone. The thought of going to my college cafeteria by myself was terrifying. College students have their own schedules, so it’s likely you’ll be heading to lunch at a different time than your friends. At first, I would eat in my dorm room, which I enjoyed because it was

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a rare chance to have the space all to myself.

And it actually helped combat my loneliness because it gave me time to recharge. Then, once I got more comfortable with the idea of eating solo, I would sit on a bench outside, then graduated to smaller food spots around campus once the temperature dipped. I never considered seeing someone eating alone as weird, so why was I concerned? I have to admit I have yet to eat at the cafeteria by myself. Maybe one day.

4. Reach out to older friends from high school. I found that I couldn’t really talk about being lonely with others from my graduating class because no one really wanted to admit how they were feeling. My high school friends a year or two older than me were more willing to talk about it and their own experiences, since they had already gotten past it. They had hit their stride.

It took me until about mid-October to hit my stride. Schoolwork began to pick up, so I was turning my energy to that instead, and I found a good group of friends who lived in my dorm. We started to explore the city more and took advantage of being in New York. So, hang in there. Hopefully soon, you’ll stop seeing your college as new, and simply as yours.

Eve Huddleston, HONOLULU’s summer intern, is a junior at Fordham University in New York.

ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES

TH E E XC ITE M E N T O F AC C E P TA N C E LE T TE R S A N D TH E P R O S P E C T of a new level of independence filled me with high hopes and expectations for college from the very beginning. As I started buying sheets and supplies for my first dorm room, while daydreaming about discovering New York City’s nightlife, the idea of being an ocean and continent away from home didn’t worry me.

But after the novelty of campus life wore off, loneliness settled in. I felt overwhelmed: new environment, new friends, new food, new bed. My confidence was shaken.

At home, I had always been surrounded by friends and family; I had never felt what it was like to be all by myself. And even though I was surrounded by thousands of other people at school, I felt isolated. It took some time to figure out why I was feeling off and sad. With time though, I picked up some habits that helped me feel better. Here’s how I combated first-semester loneliness:

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Learn more and apply at hpu.edu/holomua (808) 544-0238 | admissions@hpu.edu 2022 COLLEGE GUIDE |

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Preparing for College in High School A student’s involvement sets the foundation for college acceptance—and beyond. Here’s how to build that foundation with strength and purpose.

B Y K AT H R Y N D R U R Y W A G N E R

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CHESS CLUB. MOCK TRIAL . THE SCHOOL NEWSPAPER. CHINESE CLUB. VOLLEYBALL .

Sign up for it all! Not so fast. It’s not the number of activities students do in high school that counts, experts say. Think quality over quantity. “And whatever you choose, do it consistently,” says Amy Prince, a school counselor at Southampton High School, in Southampton, New York. “It’s what you’re engaged with actively. Somebody might do 40 hours of community service, but was it 40 hours over one week during a church mission, and the other 51 weeks of the year they did nothing?” Compare that to a student who volunteers with, say, Best Buddies, helping people with developmental disabilities, once a week, all year.

“When students can demonstrate they have had consistent involvement and that they are leaders within the organizations, we get excited about their potential to contribute positively on our campus,” says Mark Cortez, director of Outreach and Recruitment at The Ohio State University.

“This doesn’t have to just be school activities; we want students to think broadly about experiences like community opportunities and/or work experiences. They each add something a little different and that is what we consider.”

CONNECT THE DOTS

Students should seek out areas where they can take on leadership roles. “That doesn’t always mean being the president of a club or its founder,” says Prince. “What events did you organize? If you’re just listing on your application that you were a member—what does that mean to an admissions officer? Define your role. Now, in ninth or 10th grade, there aren’t a lot of leadership roles but, if you stick with it, if you rise up to captain or co-captain in an athletic setting, or treasurer or president in a group; this shows the qualities colleges are seeking within their own school’s population.”

Schools can tell from a mile away when an applicant is trying to build a résumé out of nothing, grabbing onto 15 random activities. If, on the other hand, a student is involved with Model UN and student government and Girls Learn International, the school can see a pattern and a purpose.

According to Prince, students should use ninth and 10th grade for experimentation, to find out what they are most interested in, and then home in. Remember that “colleges and universities have seniors graduating and need to fill leadership roles or spark something new,” Prince points out. For an athletic program, they may need a new quarterback; for an orchestra, a new cellist. “It’s not like they put an ad out: ‘Hey, we need a cellist,’ but it’s part of the thought process,” she says.

“I think one of the reasons I got into the college I did, York College of Pennsylvania, was that I had been a DJ for a high school radio station and they had a radio station that needed a manager.”

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

CHOOSING COURSEWORK

Even though AP coursework is a great opportunity, again think quality over quantity. Consider your strengths and your goals. For example, someone interested in engineering might not want to take AP literature, but, instead, explore an engineering program, even without an AP label attached to it. “Schools are trying to figure out: What drives the student?” says Prince. “If you want to be pre-med, and haven’t done well in science or math, maybe that’s not a realistic goal. That’s a student who is going to change major.” Think about classes that are genuine passions, things that can extend into interests in college.

Otherwise, Prince warns, “students become machines of cranking out grades and don’t find what resonates with them.”

FINISHING STRONG SENIOR YEAR

Students should avoid giving in to senioritis, or playing what Prince calls “a game of academic chicken.” That’s when seniors try to find the line of how little effort they can put in. “It’s not a good game to play,” she says. “If you were a 90 student, you should stay a 90 student, even in senior year. Schools are still watching.” There is some wiggle room, of course. For example, if a student is challenging himself or herself with AP physics, he or she might not get a 90, and schools will understand that.

Also, “We encourage students to stay in a foreign language, and recommend electives.

It’s free in high school!” says Prince. “Electives cost a lot of money in college. Take advantage. A lot of the AP and honors-level kids haven’t gotten to take a lot of electives,” she says.

Last, remember that being engaged doesn’t stop after college acceptance. “Once they get on campus we expect that students will be actively involved, as doing so contributes to their social and academic success,” says Cortez. “As students work to discover their passions in college, they are doing this with [other] students who are diverse in majors, experiences and backgrounds. This discovery stage leads to rich experiences where students can learn from those around them and, in most cases, benefit.”

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Ready, Set, College!

HONOLULU Magazine’s guide to navigating the road to college.

B Y K AT H R Y N D R U RY WAG N E R

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and it seems we go from talking about the Tooth Fairy one minute to having serious conversations about college the next. The opportunities provided by higher education— economic, social and psychological—are enormous, but the task of finding the right school can seem just as huge. Soaring tuition costs have raised the stakes, and there’s a lot more college pressure on young people than there was just a few decades ago. But, with research, patience and organization, you can definitely come up with a strategy that works for your family.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE PARENTING,

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

R E A DY, S E T, C O L L E G E

“Start early,” says Kāhala resident Denise Wheeler, who has completed the college search process for her two kids. “Start thinking about where your child envisions themselves: Is region important? Is a certain area of interest, or size of school a major point?”

Her daughter, Cassidy Wheeler, graduated from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee in 2021 and her son, Samuel Wheeler, is starting his junior year at Santa Clara University. “Cass liked Vanderbilt from the first presentation that they did one evening in the fall of her sophomore year,” says Denise Wheeler. For Sam, Santa Clara was not his first choice, but “he has fallen in love with it because he has made good friends through rugby and the Hawai‘i Club,” she says. “I think it’s a good fit for Sam, who fits the California casual vibe.”

Wheeler says it is important to “manage expectations as there are so many qualified students applying. Don’t get stuck on rankings when considering a school.”

According to Malia Kau, a college and career counselor at Radford High School, students are applying to an average of seven schools.

“Have two ‘reach’ schools, schools they’ve always dreamt of attend-

ing. Have two ‘guaranteed I’m going to get in’ schools, and then three in that middle range,” she says. “We aren’t just talking about the academic range, but also looking at cost.”

The key is to start early with your strategy, around the freshman year of high school. “Encourage your child to do what they love, but to also give back with that talent or gift,” says Donna Finley, founder of a private college counseling practice in San Diego. “Maybe your child is great at soccer and she or he can give classes to underprivileged kids. It’s not always about the résumé. It’s about being a good human being. And, hopefully, the side effect is finding a good school and something they want to study.”

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FINANCIAL AID

The parents and education experts we talked to agree on one thing: It’s critical to involve teens in the financial conversation early on. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and not look at the financial realities. “Start planning early—very early,” says Kelly Berganio, whose daughter, Alexis Berganio, is a freshman at Chapman University. “When it comes time to start talking about money, it has to be a very open, honest conversation. Start talking about it from the beginning of high school so everyone knows where the family stands. It can’t be a last-minute discussion.”

The biggest provider of student aid in the country is the office of Federal Student Aid, which handles loans, grants and work-study programs to the tune of more than $150 billion each year. Other sources include state aid, aid from colleges and aid from nonprofits and private organizations, like Rotary or Lions clubs.

All students should start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which takes about half an hour to fill out online once you gather tax returns and other pertinent documents. The application will also be shared with the financial-aid offices of the colleges listed on the application, so the colleges can figure out what aid they want to offer. Colleges look at the cost of attending the school, subtract the expected family contribution, and that indicates the financial need. Applications are available each year on Oct. 1 for the following year at fafsa.gov. Important note: FAFSA applications need to be filled out each year a student is in college.

Anywhere from three days to three weeks after filing, the office of Federal Student Aid sends you a Student Aid Report. Look this over closely to make sure everything is correct. From there, a college can send you an aid offer, either on paper or electronically.

Don’t discount the possibility of independent scholarships. ‘Iolani graduate Shane Severino landed the Regents Scholarship at UH Mānoa that not only paid for his entire undergraduate tuition, but also a $4,000 a year stipend and a one-time $2,000 travel grant. “I was already leaning toward UH, but the scholarship sealed the deal. With the cost of tuition these days, applying to scholarships was always a part of my college plans. I didn’t want to burden myself or my mom with student loans,” says Severino. “There are plenty of opportunities out there, all it takes is a little bit of searching.”

It’s important to note that scholarship money is available even if you’re not at the top of your class. “There’s no harm in applying to scholarships,” says Alexis Berganio. “You have a shot just like everyone else.”

Nationwide

Nearly 400 colleges, universities and scholarship programs use the College Board Scholarship Service application, called CSS/PROFILE, to determine to whom they’ll grant aid. The application is different from the FAFSA and takes between 45 minutes and two hours to complete. There is a fee to file this application, so only do so if the school(s) or scholarship programs of your choice are asking for it. It’s $25 for one college or program; additional reports are $16.

In 2020, the University of Hawai‘i Foundation raised $80.7 million to support UH students, programs, research and faculty. “The bulk of our students are still first-generation kids or of minority/immigrant status, so the need for scholarships is particularly great,” says Donna Vuchinich, former CONTINUED ON PAGE CG 16

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PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

In Hawai‘i

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president and CEO of the UH Foundation. She recommends using the organization’s database, found at uhfoundation. org, to “slice and dice it” to see what financial aid might be a good fit. She has two pieces of advice. First, if a student is enrolling in a community college, ensure she or he is taking at least 15 credits. “If kids don’t take that many credits, they don’t tend to do as well.” Second, apply early: “November and December for summer scholarships; February through May for fall. Don’t wait until you graduate to start looking.”

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation administers more than 280 scholarship funds and annually awards $6 million in student aid for students bound for college locally or on the mainland. “We begin the process in November, and encourage families to start early,” says Eric La‘a, a philanthropic adviser at HCF. “The application process is quite extensive.” The good news? The platform is set up so students can be matched with more than one scholarship. But the number of applicants has increased significantly in recent years, so apply as early as you can.

Students who are of Hawaiian ancestry may be eligible for scholarships through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Visit oha.org/scholarships for information on the OHA programs.

A P P L I CAT I O N S

ters were in, we made a grid on a white board,” says Stroh-Palalay. “We labeled pros and cons for all programs as well as the school’s location and of course cost!”

They also eliminated schools whose programs were not as important to Palalay.

“I think it’s important to know what your child’s strengths and weaknesses are when helping them decide on a college,” says Stroh-Palalay. “I also think it’s important that you need to put away your personal emotional feelings about them leaving. Our whole goal is to raise our children to be strong, independent adults and this is just the beginning of that! Let them mostly make the choice but with your guidance.”

Palalay advises students to “apply to a good number of schools so you have options. Try not to have a first-choice school in case you don’t get in, but instead have something like a top three.”

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UPCOMING DATES

OCT. 1

FAFSA forms become available. The online FAFSA application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time on June 30, 2022.

However, many colleges will require this earlier. Complete the CSS/PROFILE to find more scholarship options.

NOVEMBER

Hawai‘i Community Foundation opens its scholarship application process.

Check hawaiicommunity foundation.org for updated deadlines.

FEBRUARY/MARCH

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The deadline for financial aid applications at most colleges.

MARCH

Many colleges send out acceptance letters during this month.

MAY 1

Many colleges require that you reply with your intent to enroll by this date.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

When it came time to find a college, Carla Stroh-Palalay let her daughter, Molly Palalay, who is a freshman at the University of California, Irvine, take the reins.

“Molly’s a pretty independent kid so for the most part we let her decide, but I did ‘help’ eliminate a school I thought wouldn’t be a good choice based on location or program,” says Stroh-Palalay.

U.S. News & World Report and Forbes are helpful resources for comparing schools. Websites such as cappex.com can help inform you of what your chances are of getting in.

Of the 14 schools Palalay applied to, she was accepted into nine and waitlisted for four. “Once all the acceptance let-

Wherever you want to go, we can help you get there.

At the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, we give you the tools to follow your dreams with a choice of 104 different majors, 91 graduate majors, 54 doctoral degrees, and 5 first professional degrees.

Begin your journey with us!

For undergraduate admissions, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions For graduate admissions, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate

MANOA.HAWAII.EDU #TakeMeToManoa PHOTO CREDIT: JOSE MAGNO

The University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

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T H E C O M M O N A P P L I CAT I O N

Nearly 900 colleges and universities, including some schools abroad, accept the Common Application. That’s a lot of schools, and can save you time on not having to fill out what feels like 413 applications. However, check with every college to which you’re applying to ensure they accept the Common Application. Find it at commonapp.org.

T H E E S S AY

S H O U L D YO U HIRE A COLLEGE COUNSELOR?

Derrick Kang, Director of College Counseling at Mid-Pacific Institute, suggests checking out the Hawai‘i Association for College Admission Counseling at hawaiiacac.org.

“Almost all of Hawai‘i’s college counselors are part of the HACAC. I encourage you to

Crunching The Numbers At UH Mānoa

(2021–2022 School Year)

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take a look at the HACAC site to see events that will be coming up because there are going to be a number of programs that are going to be available to students and families,” says Kang. “Oftentimes if a specific high school is offering a program, we will make it open to the community. So, a lot of the programs that are happening in the state will be publicized there.”

Kang also encourages students to get to know their college counseling staff. “We are here to support students and help guide them through the process. There’s no reason anyone should do this all on their own,” says Kang. “I can’t think of any school locally that doesn’t have a college counselor or a counselor that is not willing to help or support a student and family.”

But some counselors are simply overwhelmed. “Nationally the average is 400 students per counselor; that’s why people turn to independent educational consultants,” says Finley, the private college consultant. She works with students as early as freshman and sophomore year, helping with course selection, extracurricular activities and developing career interests. “Kids used to think they had to be well-rounded. Now, it’s go deeper, instead of wider.”

She works with juniors on applications, essays, college selection and financial aid options.

Some consultants charge hourly, others have a package price.

Visit the Independent Educational Consultants Association at iecaonline.com to find a consultant.

$11,304

$33,336

$16,956

$16,956

In-state tuition (average)

Nonresident tuition (average)

Western Undergraduate Exchange rate

Pacific Island Exemption rate

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY, GETTY IMAGES

Colleges and universities are most interested in grades and scores, but essays can be a tiebreaker. It’s similar to a job application: The résumé is like the application, and the essay is more like a job interview, a human connection. Here are some helpful tips: • Parents should not write their children’s essays for them, but should help proofread.

• Skip the story about volunteering abroad.

It’s become a cliché.

• Google the school of interest, plus “essays that worked.”

• The website inlikeme.com, which focuses on college applications, has a lot of resources on essay writing.

W E S T E R N U N D E R G R A D UAT E EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Hey, neighbor! Can I get a kama‘āina discount? Actually, you can. The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program allows students from 16 western states, plus the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, to attend colleges and universities at 150% of the school’s in-state tuition, rather than at an out-of-state rate. There are more than 160 institutions participating; check the database at wiche. edu/wue/students. But there are loopholes, too. Some colleges require a certain ACT or SAT test score, others limit the number of program participants each year, and still others only feature it for certain majors.

There is no separate application process; it’s part of the regular process and you check off the WUE box. Our advice? Apply early and check with the admissions office for the institution you want to attend for more details.

MAKING THE MOST O F YO U R C O L L EG E VISITS

Since road trips from Hawai‘i can’t happen, it can be challenging for families to tour mainland colleges.

But if you can afford a trip, there are two schools of thought: Go before the application process, to narrow down choices, or go after acceptance, to aid in the final decisionmaking. The costs of college tours are not tax deductible, but, if parents can piggyback a legitimate work trip onto the college visit, that may be a way to cut down the costs of airfare, hotels and a rental car.

VIEWPOINT: GO BEFORE

“If a family takes a trip to Los Angeles for a family vacation freshman year, I would definitely tell them to take a look at a couple of campuses where they’re at,” says Radford’s Kau. “Even if it’s just to get a feel for what colleges have to offer.”

The feel of the college was huge for the Berganios. “It sounds cliché, but when you get on to campus you get a feeling,” says Kelly Berganio.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I

Expand your horizons. Make connections. Discover your passion.

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop believed that education was the key to uplift her people and offer hope for their future. For over 130 years we have remained true to our founder’s vision and continue to nurture the dreams of Native Hawaiian learners.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

PAUAHI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Accepting applications Oct. 1, 2021 – Jan. 14, 2022

Accepting applications Nov. 8, 2021 – Dec. 23, 2021

Apply at ksbe.edu/college

Kamehameha Schools policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

College Scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Over 100 funds for undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of fields.

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to see if you can talk with current students, ideally those who came from Hawai‘i.

For visits to local colleges such as UH, Chaminade, HPU and the community colleges, work with the admissions office prior to a visit.

Sometimes there are open house days; other times, you can set up a tour of campus and housing. Feel free to ask to meet with someone from the department you’re interested in to get a feel for the program and faculty.

VIEWPOINT: GO AFTER ACCEPTANCE

“Why would I spend $1,000 going to a school that my kid might not even get into?” says Lillian Klein, a mother of three children who have gotten into college. “This is a strategic mission. You can wait and do your visit when you have choices, once you have acceptance.”

In the meantime, she and her daughters researched schools online.

“Look at the message boards, communicate with parents whose kids are at the school. You can get a sense of the flavor of the student body.”

For Sierra Hamamoto, visiting schools after being accepted was the deciding factor for where she would spend the next four years.

She first visited the University of California, Davis, but found it wasn’t the atmosphere she was looking for. “When I visited the University of British Columbia it was a much better experience because there was a whole mix of people from all around the world on the tour with me,” says Hamamoto. “The campus was like a little city with each building built in a different style. It was really fun to walk around, visit the bookstore, check out what kind of food you could eat there, and to get an idea of the student body and the people you’d be around.” She is now a junior at the University of British Columbia studying natural resource conservation.

For many, however, visiting schools is not feasible. The website campustours.com has stats on more than 1,700 schools, with links directly to each school’s virtual tours and campus maps.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, GETTY IMAGES

“It’s really important to visit urban, suburban, rural, small, medium, large. You don’t know what you don’t know until you go to visit.”

Alexis Berganio explains that she originally thought she wanted to go to an urban campus, but when she visited, she knew it wasn’t right for her. “I thought all urban areas looked like New York, and I was wrong,” she says.

“I think it’s always good to visit colleges as early as possible to get a feel for what a college campus is like,” says Kau. If you can’t make it for a tour, take advantage of the opportunities to meet with college representatives when they visit the Islands, and contact the school

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HELPFUL WEBSITES

Come up with a big-picture plan at the nonprofit College Board’s website, bigfuture.collegeboard. org, or knowhow2go.org, which helps middle and high school students prep for the college route.

College Navigator is a resource provided by the U.S. Department of Education. It has the scoop on every college in the country, with data on admissions, retention, graduation rates and financial aid. Narrow down choices, build a list of favorites for side-by-side comparisons and create your own interactive maps and spreadsheets. nces.ed.gov/ collegenavigator

U.S. News & World Report has a College Compass service ($39.95/year) that has profiles of more than 1,900 schools, including data on campus life, sports and financial aid. usnews.com/usnews/store/college_compass.htm The forums on College Confidential are renowned for providing information on what’s really happening on U.S. campuses. collegeconfidential.com The National Association for College Admission Counseling has an extensive offering of resources for students and parents, including schedules of college fairs and plenty of resources in the Knowledge Center. nacacnet.org If obstacles feel insurmountable, visit youcango.collegeboard.org, with success stories for students who overcame challenges getting into college—and resources to help others to do the same.

Additional reporting by Cassidy Keola, Ashley Mizuo, Shinae Lee and Eve Huddleston

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Timeline to Success Finding and getting accepted to the right college or university is actually a four-year process. That may sound daunting, but take each step one at a time and stay organized, and you’ll be fine. Here’s how to manage the road to college admission:

9th Grade

• Enroll in challenging classes.

• Keep grades up.

• Get involved in extracurricular activities.

• Explore potential career paths.

• Set up a college savings plan.

• Develop good timemanagement skills.

10th Grade

• Try some AP classes.

• Take a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT) in October (this year, it’s Oct. 13, 16 and 26). Juniors qualify to compete for the National Merit Scholarship Program, but younger students can take it for practice. collegeboard.org/ psat-nmsqt • Consider volunteering during the summer.

• Visit campuses while traveling, just to get a sense of what type of college appeals to you.

Small? Big? Public?

Private?

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11th Grade

• In October or early November, take the PSAT/NMSQT. • Sign up to take the ACT or SAT. Colleges usually accept either one, but check with where you’re interested.

Many students will take the test once as a junior and again as a senior. Is it worth taking it twice?

According to ACT, 57% of students increased their Composite score on the retest.

• Visit campuses if possible.

• Attend college fairs and network with the college representatives.

12th Grade

• In the fall, repeat the ACT/SAT tests. Sign up for the SAT Subject Tests, if appropriate.

Send in scores.

• Gather teacher and other personal recommendations.

Send thank yous afterward!

• Narrow down the list, but have at least four to eight schools to apply to.

• Draft your essay. Leave enough time for at least two people to read it and comment.

• Check all due dates at the colleges you want to attend; they vary by institution and you don’t want to miss anything.

R E A DY, S E T, C O L L E G E

Upcoming ACT Test Dates Oct. 23

Register by Sept. 17; late registration until Oct. 1

Dec. 11

Register by Nov. 5

Feb. 12

Register by Jan. 7

April 2

Register by Feb. 25

June 11

Register by May 6

July 16

Use an app, like Scholly Scholarship Search, to sniff out opportunities.

Scholly requires a $44.99/year account.

Register by June 17

S TA NDA R D I ZED TE STS SAT/SAT SUBJECT TESTS The nationally administered SAT tests reading, writing and math and is used to test how ready a student is for college. The SAT Subject Tests are also used by many colleges for admission consideration, particularly for certain majors, and to help with course placement. For bilingual students, the Subject Tests are also an excellent opportunity to show off mastery in another language, like Mandarin, Japanese or Korean. For more, go to sat.collegeboard.org/home.

12, May 7, June 4. collegereadiness. collegeboard.org/sat/register/ dates-deadlines If you have been tested for dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or believe you may qualify for accommodations such as extra time, visit accommodations.collegeboard. org or act.org to learn more.

Registration deadlines are typically a month ahead of the test. Test dates are as follows: Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, March

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ACT

The ACT is a national college admissions exam that includes English, math, reading and science questions. The ACT Plus Writing includes a 30-minute writing test, which is required by some colleges and not others. In Hawai‘i, the state picks up the cost of taking the ACT for all public school juniors. To register, visit act.org.

DO bring a current photo ID issued by a city/state/ federal government agency or the high school, as well as printed test ticket and calculator.

DON’T bring a cell phone to an SAT test; they are prohibited. ACT test sites allow cell phones if they are turned off and placed out of reach.

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