- What are the minimum application requirements?
GPA: All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have taken the University of Hawai’i at Manoa ELI placement exam.
Academic References: All applicants must submit college-level faculty academic references (three for semester/year and two for summer programs) on our academic reference forms.
Transcript: First-year college students must submit a high school transcript. Transfer students with records that do not appear on their STAR report must submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended.
Language Proficiency: Some background may be required for certain language programs; please check individual programs for admission requirements.
- When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for each upcoming term is as follows:
Summer 2012 - Friday, February 17, 2012
Year in Japan 2012-2013 - Thursday, March 1, 2012
Fall 2012 - Monday, April 2, 2012
All applications must be received physically by the Study Abroad Center by 4:30pm. Deadlines are firm and we do not allow any extensions or exceptions. If your application is incomplete or late, it will not be reviewed.
- Would my chances of being accepted into a Study Abroad program increase if I turn in my application early?
While we encourage students to apply early, or at least start with the application process early, we will not review applications until the after the deadline has passed. However you can then rest easy knowing that your application is complete, or if you are missing an element (usually a reference form) you will have time to turn it in.
- What if I turn in my application on time but my reference(s) is/are late?
Your application will be marked incomplete and not sent for review. It is your responsibility as the applicant to follow up with your references and make sure that the Study Abroad Center receives them by the stipulated deadline. Students should therefore start the application process early to give their teachers enough time to write references for them.
- What kind of academic references do you accept?
Academic references must be completed by college/university faculty members who are able to judge your academic qualifications (i.e. taught you before) for studying abroad.
Preferred references: professors, instructors, lecturers, teaching assistants and graduate assistants who have taught you before.
Acceptable references: Honors Program advisor, Kokua Program advisor, College Opportunities Program advisor and advisors from colleges.
Unacceptable references: Employers, Athletics, ACE or high school teachers.
- May I turn in more than the required number of references?
Yes, you may! In fact, the Study Abroad Center recommends that you ask for more references than is required because sometimes references do get lost in transit. However, only acceptable references (please see question #5 above for examples of acceptable references) will be reviewed.
- Who reviews my application?
All applications are reviewed by a panel of University of Hawaii at Manoa faculty members.
- When and how will I know if I have been accepted into the program?
Typically students will know the outcome of their application in about 2 weeks after the deadline, however delays caused by emergency events beyond our control may be inevitable. The Study Abroad Center will notify students of application results via email, with detailed instructions for confirming their spots in the program, registering for classes and schedule of mandatory orientations and pre-departure meetings.
Upon acceptance into the Study Abroad program, students are required to pay an initial payment that is non-refundable of $500.00 to ensure a place in the program, which will be applied to the program fees. By paying this non-refundable initial payment, students are committing to be liable for 50% of the balance of the program fees; enforced regardless if students withdrew or were expelled. The terms and conditions are outlined clearly in our Refund, Withdrawal Policies & Schedule of Payments, as included in the Acceptance Packets. Students should read and understand every clause of this contract before turning in the paperwork and paying the deposit. No exceptions will be granted.
- What are your advising hours? When is the latest I can turn in my application?
The Study Abroad Center is open for advising from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. Monday to Friday. We will accept applications until 4:30p.m. on deadline days; no extensions or exceptions.