<p>Can I pick the collective brain power of this smart group to get some clarity around University of Hawaii Manoa vs. Northern Arizona. I'm interested in Hotel Management and Hospitality. I find myself leaning more towards Hawaii for weather but understand it's a heavy commuter school. I want the college experience plus good academic teaching and available faculty. Trying to glean any insight that will help me make a decision in the next few days. Time is running out. From California.</p>
<p>Can you visit the campuses? I agree about being wary about a commuter school, but do they have a good co-op / internship program?</p>
<p>I would daresay that Hawaii would have more tourism than Northern Arizona, so I would lean towards that. Do you know if Northern Arizona has a lot of commuters as well?</p>
<p>University of Hawaii’s program in your intended field of study is second to none. </p>
<p>I’ve been to both schools. Personally I prefer NAU because of the outdoors opportunities and great on campus life, but I don’t think its resources in hospitality management even approximate Manoa’s. That being said most students change their majors multiple times throughout their college careers. Additionally it’s entirely possible, and actually quite easy to get internships in hotel positions from NAU, particularly if you’re willing to take a bit of time off from school to do a co-op. </p>
<p>Northern Arizona has 87% of frosh living in the dorms, while Hawaii has 55% of frosh living in the dorms (a reasonable approximation of resident students; overall percentage is much lower because upperclass resident students often live off-campus nearby).</p>
<p>Flagstaff, AZ has some tourism (e.g. Grand Canyon), but Honolulu, HI is an obvious tourism target. Both have outdoors activities nearby, but different ones.</p>
<p>Thank you to those of you who took the time to reply. Much appreciated.</p>