Resources and FAQs for Incoming Students
Fall 2026 Semester Notices and Updates
As we receive new information regarding Fall 2026 semester (for example: when new course sections open), this document will be updated. You can subscribe to document updates and have an email sent to you when information is updated on this google sheet. To do this, go to "Tools," "Notification settings," "Edit notifications," "Notify me at EMAIL when..." and "Notify me with" and choose your settings.
Website Links
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College of Engineering resources
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AP Credits
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Books
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Financial Aid
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Health Clearances
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Housing
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Native Hawaiian Engineering & Science Mentorship Program (NHSEMP)
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Parking/Commuting
*Please note that semester parking permit reservations are made by class standing, so it may be challenging to get a semester parking permit during your first year as a UH student.
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Registrar
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ROTC
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STAR Help
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Scholarships and Loans
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Hawaiʻi Renewable Learning Fund - for students within two years of graduation
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Student Life section links (from Engineering Incoming Transfer and Freshmen sessions)
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TRIO Student Support Services
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Tuition and Fees
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Tutoring
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Academic Resource Center - offers services such as 1-on-1 tutoring appointments, supplemental instruction, Student Housing Success Center, and academic coaching.
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Learning Emporium - offers weekly tutoring for Math,Chemistry, Physics, and Information & Computer Science. Group tutoring sessions vary by semester.
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Online Learning Academy - offers services such as 1-on-1 tutoring appointments for Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Writing
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Engineering Tutoring - the engineering student honor societies tutor for some of the engineering courses.
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Veterans and military connected student resources
Helpful Definitions
Definitions for common UH Mānoa terms and acronyms.
Navigating UH Mānoa - campus map/buildings
Infographics
What engineering discipline should I choose?
Videos
How to complete mandatory advising
Incoming Transfer Student Tips
FAQ
- Read our Engineering Incoming checklist!
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Yes! Our Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program (NHSEMP) offers a Freshman Bridge program. Open to high school seniors who are incoming students to UH Mānoa in Fall 2024.
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A 10-week STEM program that addresses areas of interest for incoming college first-year students: greater preparation for college-level math courses, financial assistance, comfort within a large university system, and a smooth transition from high school to college.
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Students will also perform faculty-driven research in university laboratories, participate in ʻOi Ka Naʻauao Spotlight Series (professional development, cultural engagement), attend site visits and huakaʻi, and give a formal research presentation.
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Native Hawaiian, Polynesian, Alaska Native, Native American, and Native Pacific Island students are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Freshman Bridge application is available NOW! Deadline to apply: April 15th
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All students must comply with the health clearance requirements to register for and attend hybrid and in-person courses. Visit the Office of the Registrar Health Clearance website for more information.
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Possibly.
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View the Mānoa Admissionsʻ AP Factsheet. Some AP credits count toward Mānoa general education course requirements and some may count toward engineering degree requirements. Please meet with an academic advisor to discuss your AP credits and how they apply to your degree.
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Your first semester schedule may partially depend on what AP or dual credit classes (if any) you took in high school. But in general it's a good idea that your first semester consists of English, General Chemistry with lab, Math, and another General Education requirement of your choice. Engr 100 (see flyer here) is also a helpful class to register for if you are an incoming freshmen. Refer to the "Planning Frist Semester Courses" section in the CoE Undergraduate Handbook.
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General education courses are required courses that all Mānoa students need to complete in order to graduate (in addition to specific engineering degree requirements). Some required courses for the engineering degree also count toward general education required courses.
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General education courses are divided into the following categories:
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Foundation
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Diversification
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Focus
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Hawaiian or Second Language (waived for engineering students)
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For more information, see the General Education section in the CoE Undergraduate Handbook.
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As a Pre-Engineering student, you will take the same courses toward your intended engineering major and may declare into the major you are interested in after completing the freshmen courses with a 3.0 GPA. This includes: English 100; Math 241 and 242; Chemistry 161 and 161L; Chemistry 162; Physics 170/170L; and a 3.0 GPA.
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Engineering Freshmen Seminar, optional course but highly recommended for first semester freshmen
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Course covers college academic success, engineering career preparation, and the different engineering disciplines.
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Great way to meet other engineering students!
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Add this course as a "Personal Choice" in STAR GPS and search for course title: ENGR 100
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You can get your student ID (aka Mānoa One Card) once you have a UH email account and register for classes.
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Pick up your Mānoa One Card from Campus Center ID and Information Office.
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Photo upload is available and will make your ID pick-up quicker and easier.
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Links for more info:
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This $500 fee is charged to all College of Engineering students with a sophomore standing or higher and goes towards facility and lab maintenance in the CoE. (*Freshman students should not be charged this fee. However, if a first year freshman has 30 or more early college and/or AP credits the fee will automatically be charged. In this case, please contact engr@eng.hawaii.edu to ask that the fee be waived.)
Visit the following websites for information about available scholarships:
Visit the UH Veterans Benefits website for more information. The Office of Veteran Student Services can also provide support.
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The UH Mānoa Office of the Registrar's website has all previous and upcoming calendars. Important dates such as drop dates, registration times, tuition payment deadlines, and holidays are all listed in each semesterly calendar.
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Final exam schedules are based on the time and days you have your classes. Final exam schedules can be accessed here at the UH Mānoa Final Exam Schedule website.
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The College of Engineering requires all engineering majors complete mandatory advising each semester prior to registering for the next semester's classes. See more information at the Mandatory Advising website. See VIDEO about how to complete Mandatory Advising.
Yes, our FabLab in Holmes Hall 448. View more information at this flyer.
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The type of computer you choose is mostly personal preference, however, listed below are some pros and cons for each type taken from current CoE students. Ensure that the computer you are looking to get can run engineering programs smoothly.
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Mac OS
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Easily transportable
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Easier for coding applications
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User friendly
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Compatible with iPhones (ie. airdropping documents to computer)
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Typically more expensive than windows
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Windows
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A wider range of uses compared to Mac
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Better backward compatibility
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Cost-efficient compared to Mac
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More opportunities for touchscreen
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Generally a bit of a learning curve
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Generally, the following majors will use these software programs:
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CE, CNST = AutoCAD
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EE, CENG = MatLab
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ME = Solidworks
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Most students use a TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus CE, or even the TI-Nspire CX II calculator, or another calculator of similar model. This is just the most common calculator currently used by engineering students, but it is not required.
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Typically, the Math classes engineering students take (Calculus I - IV) do not allow the usage of calculators during quizzes or exams in order to test your knowledge of the material.
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Generally, other classes permit the use of any calculator provided that it is a calculator with no communication/messaging/text capability. This may vary per instructor. If still unsure, ask your instructor and have it verified if your calculator is allowed.
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