Hawaii (JABSOM)

John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI · Public · MD

Average MCAT: 513
Average GPA: 3.79
Class size: 77 (2,658 applicants)
Tuition: $71,328 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Limited

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Nov. 2, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 3, 2026

Essays

Difficult feedback (600 words)

Reflect on a recent instance where you were given personal feedback that was unfavorable or difficult to receive. How did you respond? Elaborate on how this experience has shaped the way in which you interact with others.

Serving your community (500 words)

How are you currently serving your community? Describe the impact that you are making and how this has improved your community.

Professionalism (500 words)

Professionalism in medicine often requires balancing personal beliefs with the duty of care, or navigating conflicts within a healthcare team. Describe a specific instance where your professional integrity or boundaries were challenged. How did you handle it, what was the outcome and how did this experience shape your definition of what it means to be a professional physician?

Why JABSOM (500 words)

Describe why you have chosen to apply to JABSOM and if you have any personal connections to the school, Hawaii or the Pacific Basin. If you do not have a personal connection, elaborate on your motivations for applying to JABSOM.

Reapplicant (500 words)

If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Elaborate on the specific steps you have taken to enhance your candidacy for the MD program and why you chose to take these steps.

Editor's notes

Look hard at the residency split before you pay $150. In 2026, 2,360 out-of-state applicants produced 99 interviews and 7 entrants, while 298 in-state applicants produced 198 interviews and 70 entrants. The residency screen counts Pacific Island ties too, and two of five criteria is enough. If you have them, make sure they show in AMCAS and the Why JABSOM essay.
The fee is the screen. Everyone who pays gets the secondary, and there's no waiver, including for FAP applicants. That makes the secondary a real cost, not a sign of interest, so decide on fit first.
PREview is required, and the deadline is earlier than you think for early decision (July 31, 2026). JABSOM even publishes its class average PREview score, so schedule the test like it matters.
Decisions aren't rolling. Interviews run to Feb. 5 and most decisions go out March 12, 2027. A late interview isn't a penalty, so use the time to attend the Dec. 11 PBL demonstration, which the school strongly recommends, and write about it if it fits.