University of Hawaii at Manoa

First-year admission

Admission is holistic, reviewing high school courses, grades, trends and rigor. Expected units: English 4, Math 3 (including Algebra I, II and Geometry), Science 3, Social Studies 3, other college-prep 4 and electives 5. Hawaiʻi residents with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA who complete the course requirements are offered admission. Mid-range GPA of admitted Fall 2025 students was 3.49 to 4.04; mid-range SAT 1130 to 1350 and ACT 21 to 29. UH Mānoa is test-optional with a "Do No Harm" policy; some scholarships and direct-entry programs may require scores. SAT code 4867, ACT code 0902. Certain programs (nursing, social work, education) have extra requirements. Direct admission is offered in the Shidler College of Business and in nursing.

Application and deadlines

Apply through the UH Mānoa admission application (Fall 2027 applicants use the Hawaiʻi Central Application). Fall: January 5 priority, April 1 final, May 1 late. Spring: September 1 priority, October 1 final, November 2 late. The application fee is $70 USD (waived for Hawaiʻi residents applying as transfers).

Transfer admission

Applicants need 24 or more transferable semester credits and a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.00 (Hawaiʻi residents) or 2.50 (non-residents). With fewer than 24 credits, both freshman and transfer requirements apply. Official transcripts from each previous institution are required.

International applicants

Freshman applicants need completed or in-progress secondary school with a GPA comparable to a U.S. B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale), with Mathematics and Science grades reviewed. SAT or ACT is optional; IB, GCE A-Level, HKALE, national exam results and national credentials can be submitted. Official transcripts must be sent directly by the school or Ministry of Education, in English or with certified translation. Applicants requiring an F-1 visa complete the Supplementary Information Form including confidential financial information showing funds in U.S. dollars for one year, with bank statements signed within six months. Deadlines: Fall April 1, Spring October 1. Application fee $70 USD.

English proficiency (minimum for admission through the English Language Institute / ELI-exempt score): TOEFL iBT 61 / 100; IELTS Academic 5.5 / 7.0; PTE Academic 44 / 68; Duolingo 90 / 135; TOEFL Essentials 7.0 / 10.5; Cambridge English 161 / 185. Native speakers and applicants with six years of secondary or post-secondary education in countries such as Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom or the United States are exempt.

Graduate admission

Graduate applications go through the Graduate Division, with program-specific standards, standardized exam policies, documentation and deadlines set per program. International graduate applicants have separate admission requirements and English proficiency rules.

• Mānoa campus, Honolulu (Oʻahu): main 320-acre campus in Mānoa Valley with the colleges and schools, Hamilton Library, Student Recreation Center, athletics facilities and residence halls (Hale Aloha, Johnson, Frear, Gateway House, Hale Kahawai, Hale Laulima, Hale Ānuenue, Hale Wainani apartments).
• Moku o Loʻe (Coconut Island), Kāneʻohe Bay: Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, a research facility on a coral reef.
• Lyon Arboretum: tropical rainforest botanical garden and research facility with over 5,000 tropical and sub-tropical species.
• Translational Health Science Simulation Center: simulation-based health training.