I just got acceptance letters from HPU, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and UCSB. I am a communcations major. Could anybody shed some light and give me your opinion on one or some of these schools?

1. Much of my family has attended UH, it is a high caliber education. I, myself, am looking at a few schools for my doctorate. If I want to follow in my family's legacy, I might try UH, but I am most interested in programs at Portland State, University of British Columbia, and UC Santa Cruz for a wide variety of factors.

   Look at all the factors beyond your "major." Most people change or adapt their major while in college. Look to the faculty, and the people in the industry. Are there more at UCSB, which is closer to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles? Look to cost of living. If you are a Hawai'ian resident, costs are lower and there are many programs to apply for. Look to the community, are there organizations you'd like to work with, are there bookstores, shopping, and gyms that you'd like. What's the political construct you are going into; will you be happy in that community.

   If you are local, you have family here; if not, the choices abound. When you decide, decide for where you will be in five years; will you be in school? Will you be back home? Or will you be a bright new spot in the communications horizon?

   Congratulations, and good luck on your journey.

2. UCSB is by far the best of those universities. The entire University of California system is great, though Berkeley is the best of them all.

   The only reason to choose either of the others is if you simply can't tear yourself away from Hawaii. Plus the city of Santa Barbara is an extraordinarily expensive place to live if you're not in a dorm.

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