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Curious about Hawaii med schools? Read on to learn more about how to get into the University of Hawaii and enjoy island life as you work toward becoming a physician!
Hawaii attracts millions of visitors annually for its breathtaking scenery, climate, and culture. It’s also home to the only medical school in the state, located in Honolulu: The University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
We’ll outline what you need to know about the University of Hawaii School of Medicine, what it’s like to live in Hawaii and attend JABSOM, and much more.
Attending medical school in Hawaii has unique advantages you won’t find anywhere else in the US. You’ll experience rich culture and diversity and the privilege of enjoying island life.
Source: JABSOM
JABSOM is a community-based medical school that encourages students to interact with diverse patient populations throughout its four-year MD program. JABSOM prioritizes various learning experiences, including:
Upon acceptance, matriculants receive a “well-being handbook,” a comprehensive guide on students’ mental and physical health. JABSOM believes physicians must first learn how to heal themselves before learning to heal others.
If you’re searching for the best medical schools in Hawaii, JABSOM is your best (and only) option. The school’s philosophy and mission center on a broad education and community commitment.
JABSOM states that a physician should be broadly educated; they should understand the human body’s physicality and its social, cultural, and psychological aspects.
Therefore, it’s highly encouraged that undergraduate students receive a well-rounded education. Students should strive to pursue courses in the liberal arts, social sciences, and humanities while completing 90 college-level credits.
The school’s mission is: “JABSOM, as part of the fabric of Hawaii, is a diverse learning community committed to excellence and leadership in:
JABSOM’s admissions process has six main steps:
1. Complete your primary American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application.
2. Pay the JABSOM application processing fee of $150. JABSOM won’t waive this fee or accept the AMCAS Fee Waiver.
3. JABSOM sends secondaries after the primary applications and fees are received by the admissions office. Secondaries are sent via email to students who pass the initial application review. The secondary application consists of two letters of recommendation, supplemental essays, and prerequisite verification information.
4. The admissions office reviews your secondary application and supporting AMCAS materials.
5. Applicants who pass the second screening round will be invited for an interview.
6. Applicants are notified of the school’s final admissions decisions.
Before you begin the application process, you must ensure you meet all JABSOM’s admissions requirements.
Before applying, you should carefully read all John A. Burns School of Medicine prerequisites. There are four main requirements you should know:
Meeting all JABSOM requirements is crucial to your acceptance: we’ll dive into what you need to do below.
You must take the MCAT within three years of your anticipated year of enrollment. For example, test scores from January 2021 would still be valid for the 2024 cycle, even though more than three years have elapsed since test day.
Formerly known as the AAMC Situational Judgment Test, this exam measures your understanding of “effective pre-professional behavior across eight core competencies” before med school.
JABSOM lists various science courses you must take before you apply and other recommended courses to adequately prepare you for the Hawaii med school’s rigorous instruction.
JABSOM also accepts AP credits to fulfill prerequisite requirements. AP credits must be documented on official college transcripts and verified on the AMCAS application. Although not part of the Hawaii medical school’s requirements, recommended courses include:
Taking some or all of these courses can help better prepare you for the future.
Getting into Hawaii’s medical school can be challenging. Although the JABSOM acceptance rate isn’t explicitly stated, it’s estimated to be approximately 3.5%. These tips can help maximize your chances of acceptance.
The most successful medical school applicants not only meet minimum academic requirements but exceed them. We recommend reviewing academic statistics and honestly evaluating your academic standing. Are there areas that need improvements, such as your MCAT score or your GPA?
JABSOM doesn’t have MCAT or GPA requirements, but analyzing class profile data can show you what stats you should aim for:
Meeting or exceeding these averages stats helps make you a more competitive applicant.
Apply as early as possible to stay ahead of all the important dates and deadlines. This ensures you have ample time to gather all application materials. Applying early gives you time to obtain strong letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and mentors. Here is JABSOM’s general admissions timeline:
Be mindful of all deadlines and important dates to ensure you don’t miss any.
Participating in the right extracurriculars will help set you apart from other candidates. You’ll have the advantage of gaining hands-on medical training and experience. Participating in the right activities also broadens your professional network (a bonus that can help you secure strong recommendations). Some examples of varied experiences include:
Medical shadowing is an essential extracurricular. Shadowing demonstrates your commitment to medicine and your motivation to attend medical school. Medical shadowing helps you determine whether a medical career is a good fit for you.
Clinical experience is significant because it allows you to engage with patients. Admissions committees want to see that you’re capable of compassionate interactions with patients from diverse populations. Clinical experience also helps determine if a career as a physician is right for you or if you would instead pursue another track, like research.
Research experience is attractive to admissions officers. Research experience allows you to explore your passions and interests. Approximately 60% of medical school applicants have some type of research experience, so it’s beneficial for you to take advantage of research opportunities before applying to med school.
Volunteering shows your altruism, which is a massive advantage if you apply to JABSOM because of their commitment to service-oriented care. Volunteering gives you new skills and knowledge, and it’s a rewarding experience that fosters the desirable qualities of a compassionate and skilled physician.
Medical school applicants can have similar GPAs and MCAT scores. Admissions committees often look at other areas in your application to evaluate your excellence outside of academic achievement. You should focus on the following sections to showcase your individuality:
The AMCAS work and activities section is an excellent opportunity to show admissions committees who you are through:
Crafting a powerful AMCAS work and activities section increases your chances of acceptance.
The med school personal statement is vital to your success. A personal statement that doesn’t stand out often results in applicants not making it past the first round of application reviews.
A strong personal statement highlights your qualities, uses rich storytelling to engage the admissions committee, and explains why you want to pursue medicine. To maximize your chances of acceptance, compose a personal statement that’s memorable and well-written.
Letters of recommendation vouch for you, your candidacy as a medical student, and your unique skills. You can get strong letters from people who thoroughly know you and the quality of your work, whether it’s academic, professional, or extracurricular.
Letters of recommendation back up what you say about yourself within your application, lending you credibility and value in the eyes of admissions officers.
If you still have questions about the best med schools in Hawaii, these FAQs can help provide more clarity.
John A. Burns School of Medicine is ranked #74 in best medical schools for research and #24 in primary care.
JABSOM is the only medical school in Hawaii. There are other colleges in Hawaii for medical education (like nursing), but JABSOM is the only medical school for MD hopefuls.
Yes, the University of Hawaii is an excellent medical school, especially if you’re mainly interested in primary care. It’s also competitive; the University of Hawaii medical school acceptance rate is estimated to be approximately 3.5%.
You can study medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu.
You can visit or contact JABSOM’s Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for more information.
The JABSOM MD curriculum follows a traditional four-year program. The first two pre-clerkship years are followed by longitudinal clinical “clerkships” in the third year and senior seminars and rotations in the fourth year.
Hawaii is a wondrous place to attend medical school. The University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine is a great institution to earn your MD degree.
JABSOM prioritizes service to others and prepares medical students for a stellar career in healthcare. You’ll maximize your chance of acceptance if you exceed the minimum academic requirements, stay on top of important dates and deadlines, and participate in the right extracurricular activities. Good luck!
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