How to Apply

Summer Term, Fall Semester, and Academic Year Programs: 

• Application Opens: August 1
• Application Deadline: December 1

Spring Semester Programs: 

• Application Opens: January 1
• Application Deadline: May 1

In your online MIX application, you will be asked to indicate the top five partner universities where you would like to be nominated as an exchange student. Explore your options!

• Browse by Country – There are MIX Partner Universities in over 20 countries!
• Get MIX Advising – Email outbound@hawaii.edu with your questions, or request an appointment to come and talk to us! We’re here to help you plan!

Undergraduate Applicants:

• Must be a full-time UH Mānoa student
• Must complete at least two semesters* at UH Mānoa prior to departure with at least 24 credits completed.
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher*, 3.0 preferred; GPA must also be 2.5 or higher in the term prior to going abroad

*Please make sure to check the MIX program pages of the partner universities you are interested in studying at as each partner university may have additional eligibility requirements. For instance, they may only accept students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Or they may require students to complete two semesters at UH Manoa prior to applying to their exchange program (which differs from our minimum qualification of completing two semesters prior to departure). Or there might be minimum language requirements that must be met. If you have questions about your eligibility for MIX, please email outbound@hawaii.edu.

If you are a transfer student, please note that we cannot count semesters completed outside of UH Manoa towards the eligibility requirement, although exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Postgraduate Applicants:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; GPA must also be 3.0 or higher in the term(s) prior to the term(s) abroad. If you have yet to establish a GPA at UHM, you can still apply for MIX but will need to have completed at least one term with a GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to participation in the MIX program.

Additional Conditions for MIX Participation:

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply to and participate in a MIX program. Students may not be on disciplinary probation, suspension, or deferred suspension at the time of application, prior to or during their time abroad. An applicant’s total educational and disciplinary record, educational objective, professional attitude, level of preparedness and interpersonal maturity, advisor recommendations, personal preparation and personal achievements may be considered in the selection process. MIX also reserves the right to interview students during the application process and to deny acceptance to any applicant for any reason MIX determines to be material to the applicant’s qualifications. Additionally, MIX, UHM, and the Host Institution reserve the right to enforce appropriate standards of conduct and may at any time revoke acceptance for failure to maintain these standards or for any actions or conduct that is considered to be incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort and welfare of the program and other students. If a student’s participation is terminated in this manner, any program-related fees and expenses will not be refundable.

One Letter of Recommendation

Applicants are required to obtain one academic recommendation as part of the MIX application process. This recommendation should come from someone whose class you have taken at UH Mānoa, such as a professor, lecturer, graduate assistant, etc. In other words, someone who can speak to your academic abilities. Professional and familial recommendations are not accepted. The MIX Letter of Recommendation Form and instructions can be downloaded from our Forms page.

If you are a transfer student or have yet to take a course at UHM, you may ask a non-UHM professor, lecturer, or graduate assistant to submit a formal letter of recommendation on your behalf. This letter should be typed on official letterhead, signed, and sent directly to MIX by the recommender. MIX will accept letters of recommendation that are mailed or emailed by the recommender directly to outbound@hawaii.edu. Letters sent via UH FileDrop by the recommender will also be accepted.

Students will be billed two separate non-refundable program fees when applying to MIX: a $30 application fee and a $50 administration fee. These fees are separate from program tuition and are used to cover services related to the administration of international student exchange programs at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Both fees will be charged roughly 4-6 after the application deadline.

• The administration fee will hold a students place in their designated program and will only be charged to students who are ready to commit to the MIX program they have been nominated for.

Failure to pay these fees may result in your application being withdrawn or your nomination being rescinded. It will also result in a financial hold placed by the Cashier’s office on your account, which will prevent you from registering for courses. So, it is important to pay these fees in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please contact outbound@hawaii.edu. Please note that Federal Financial Aid does not apply to these fees.