J,
Finished the program in '98. Been flying for the military since.
It's not a world renowned aviation department, but it did have a very personal touch. Small program with a great student to professor ratio.
Carey Freeman is one of the greatest American's I've ever met. He's running the program, and I can't think of a better mentor.
I'm a stronger fan of the aviation department than I will ever be of the school. If you're dead set on attending HU (and it's the reason you're actually pursuing a four year degree), go for it. There are cheaper schools in the area, so don't think you have to pay a higher tuition based on a perception that HU is "prestigious". Most people haven't heard of the place.
I was on a NROTC scholarship. The combination of NROTC in the Hampton Roads area coupled with civilian flight training was phenomenal. My exposure to fleet aircraft and mentorship from several locally based junior officers was golden! When I went through the program the Navy scholarship didn't include flight training. I was fortunate to earn flight scholarships from Civil Air Patrol and TAI. Also cleaned, loaded, serviced airplanes on summer and winter breaks.
I've been told NROTC scholarships now cover flight training lab fees. However, DO NOT JOIN THE MILITARY UNLESS YOU WANT TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. The pay and benefits alone are not worth the sacrifice. You have to possess a higher calling than financial gain to successfully complete an officer commissioning program and military flight training.
Don't start the flight program unless you've secured funding to do so (scholarships or loans). You'll be one of the hundreds of students who dreamed of flying freshman year only to change majors a couple of years later due to insufficient funds.
When I first heard of university aviation programs, I knew it was the right path for me. Throughout high school I was told, "If you could earn grades for flying, you'd do well. But this is (enter subject here) and you need to focus more on it." To me, a FLT ED degree was a no brainer. I put all of my eggs into the flying basket and it worked out. Most pilots I've shared the cockpit with studied other subjects. So you shouldn't think an expensive flying degree is the only way to a big/fast airplane cockpit. Pursuing a cheaper degree and flying on the side can be just as effective. In fact, you could build redundancy into your career plan by earning a non-flying degree.
You wrote, "Hampton offers instructing jobs after getting my PPL so hours aren't an issue." Hampton University won't offer you a job, but the flight school the students fly with might. This is after you get commercial pilot and certified flight instructor certificates (not PPL).
Take the SAT and go straight into a bachelors degree program. It's worth the trouble of struggling through the test prep.
I've PM'd my email address to you. Feel free to write with any questions.
Best wishes,
DB