Engineering Incoming Students
You're accepted, now what?! Follow this helpful checklist to begin your college journey.
We're here to help! Book a one-on-one appointment with our Academic Advisors, chat with an Engineering Peer Advisor, or email our engineering advising team with your questions!
Our Engineering Student Ambassadors are here to welcome you to UH Mānoa College of Engineering. Read their Survival Guide and learn more about student life.
Attend in-person advising events to learn about important academic policies and ways to succeed!
Why I love Mānoa Engineering
Garett Costa (he/him)
Kahului, HI
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: December 2023
Why did you choose Mānoa?
Mānoa was an affordable option compared to other universities. Mānoa offered a variety of scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid that covered the cost of my tuition. Mānoa is home to several research centers and institutes, which provides many opportunities to gain hands-on experience in my field of study. The Mānoa faculty consists of experienced researchers and educators that are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals.
What opportunities have you had while at Mānoa?
While I was a pre-engineering student in the NHSEMP PEEC II Mānoa Design Clinic, I worked in the UH MNM Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Aaron Ohta. The objective of my research was to fabricate a graphene field-effect transistor using a liquid metal spraying process, enabling the miniaturization of various electronics. As a Mānoa PREM student under the direction of Dr. Godwin Severa and Dr. Przemyslaw Dera, the focus of my research is to synthesize metallo ionic liquids/salts and characterize these materials using x-ray diffraction and thermal analysis.
What engineering organizations are you involved in?
ASHRAE, ASME, ECUH, NHSEMP, and PTS
How has Mānoa prepared you to work in the industry?
The rigorous academic curriculum provided a strong foundation in the fundamental principles and practices of engineering. Theoretical concepts were covered in the lectures, while practical applications were utilized in the labs. Mānoa provided many research opportunities to gain hands-on experience and apply my engineering knowledge to solve various problems. Career fairs and social events provided venues to network and connect with industry professionals, while enhancing my marketability in the engineering field.
How has Mānoa prepared you to work successfully on a team?
Mānoa fosters an environment that is conducive to collaboration over competition. Group projects required collaboration to solve complex problems that required the strengths and expertise of my peers. Joining student organizations and clubs allowed me to connect with others who shared similar interests. Working collaboratively provided numerous opportunities to develop the necessary skills and competencies to be a successful team member and an effective leader.
Any advice or words of encouragement for incoming first-year engineering students
Don’t procrastinate, stay organized, and plan your time effectively. Get to know your professors, advisors, and classmates as they can provide valuable support and guidance throughout your academic journey. Joining clubs and organizations helps you build a community and make lasting connections. If you're struggling with coursework, don't be afraid to ask for help and seek out tutoring or academic resources on campus. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, sleep, and relaxation. Engineering is a challenging field that is exceptionally demanding, but incredibly rewarding. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.
Nyah-Kimani Mychele Lemay (she/her)
Dededo, Guam
Major: Civil Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2023
Why did you choose Mānoa?
Being from a small, somewhat slow-paced island, I always knew I wanted to go out and explore different ways of life but was always afraid that I would not be able to keep up with the pace in bigger cities. The College of Engineering at Mānoa always had a good reputation back on Guam as many of the successful engineers I have met had studied here. These two paired together made Mānoa the obvious choice since the pace here was different and it had the education I wanted all while still exhibiting the island life I grew up with.
What opportunities have you had while at Mānoa?
One of the biggest opportunities I had at Mānoa was being a part of SWE since freshman year, serving as the Social Events Chair during my sophomore and junior year and later as President my senior year. I was also able to be a part of the Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon, and served as Marshall in Fall 2022. I also was part of the Sustainable Solutions Team and DeCADthalon Team in ASCE for the Pacific Southwest Symposium.
What engineering organizations are you involved in?
SWE, ASCE, Chi Epsilon
How has Mānoa prepared you to work in the industry?
My classes at Mānoa has given me the technical knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. In addition, the College of Engineering has provided me with many opportunities such as their Career Expo to talk to industry professionals and build relationships with them that may aid in the advancement of my career.
How has Mānoa prepared you to work successfully on a team?
Early in my experience at Mānoa there were many classes and labs that required me to complete assignments with different groups. In addition, Mānoa has many clubs that provided opportunities to work with other engineering students to ensure the success of each club. Through that I was able to work with people from so many different backgrounds allowing me to grow a bigger appreciation for the diverse culture of Mānoa.
Any advice or words of encouragement for incoming first-year engineering students
Ask the questions you want to ask and talk to the people you want to talk to. Overall, never be afraid to put yourself out there because Mānoa has this awesome way of welcoming everyone with open arms.
Katlynn Vicuna (she/her)
Waipahu, HI
Major: Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace concentration
Expected Graduation: May 2024
Why did you choose Mānoa?
I started at KCC and was dual enrolled via Ka `ie `ie. Mānoa and KCC were the best option for engineering locally.
What opportunities have you had while at Mānoa?
NCAS- NASA scholars program. VIP (Rovers and satellites) FNL rocket team. NASA CSLI (launching senior design project into space) HSGC- research projects
What engineering organizations are you involved in?
SWE and ASHRAE. ( I am signed up for a bunch but haven't been very social)
How has Mānoa prepared you to work in the industry?
EPET and VIP programs have helped a lot with internships and real world related experiences. Mānoa has also prepared me to work successfully with others on a team.