Major Shoutouts

The deadline has passed and the contest is now closed.

CALLING ALL UH MĀNOA UNDERGRADS!
WANT TO SHARE YOUR PASSION AND WIN $300?!

Get ready for the Major Shoutouts Contest!

We need YOUR HELP to show prospective and incoming students what’s awesome about your undergraduate major!

Download the Major Shoutouts Informational Flyer (PDF)

Major Shoutouts Informational Fall 2025 Flyer single NEW DEADLINE

Here’s the Mission:

Create a VIDEO that is 60 seconds or less about your undergraduate major.

Make it Informative, Creative, Fun, and Engaging!

The Reward:

$300 for EACH winning entry per major!

Who Can Enter:

You must be a current UH Mānoa student in good standing.
The video must be about YOUR OWN undergraduate major.
(Sorry, grad students can only submit if they were an undergraduate in that major at UH Mānoa).

Key Requirements (Read Carefully!):

Video must be 60 seconds or less.
Submission in specific formats:
- The recommended video format is .MP4
- The recommended aspect ratio is 9:16
- The recommended resolution is 1080×1920
You must own all content and allow the university to use the video/audio – NO copyrighted material!
We are truly looking for videos that are informative, creative, fun, and engaging.
You must use a montage of video clips. No videos with a single person talking to the camera.
No stock footage is allowed. You must own all video clips.
Audio must to clear, with consistent volume, and free from distracting sounds (e.g., avoid wind, uneven sound quality).
Share information about your major AND your personal story and experiences in your major.
Submit videos by October 19, 2025.

Tips for Effective Videos

Planning & Content:

Keep it Concise: Stick to the 60-second limit.
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use visuals to illustrate your points. Consider using video footage from a variety of locations, such as your classes, your building, homecoming, and Welina Mānoa. Don’t forget to obtain permission from the people and places you film.
Be Authentic: Share your personal experiences and passion. Go beyond what can be found in the course catalog or a department website.
Highlight Key Aspects: Talk about your most exciting or interesting points early on in your video. Focus on unique opportunities, research, fun courses, or career paths.
Structure your video: Intro -> Main Content -> Outro
Plan: Write out your script. Use short sentences.

Production Quality:

Keep it Interesting: Make each video scene no longer than 8 seconds. Use close-ups, medium shots, & wide angles.
Good Lighting: Ensure your video is well-lit.
Clear Audio: Use a microphone or record in a quiet environment. Ensure the sound volume is consistent throughout the video.
Stable Footage: Use a tripod or stable surface.
Engaging Visuals: Incorporate relevant images, graphics, or B-roll footage. If adding text or captions, make the font and colors easy to read.
Copyright Free Music: Optional, but if used ensure that it is copyright free.

Prompts to Get You Started?

Why did you choose this major?
Why does this major matter? What makes it important for the greater good?
What’s something most people don’t know about this major? Why do you think this is good for prospective students to know?
What’s your favorite class, and why?
What’s a valuable experience or lesson you’ve gained from being in this major?
What’s a unique experience this major provided for you? Did you get to travel? Do special research? Participate in a major event?
What activities do you do or try in this major?
How does this set you up for the future? Are there internships, hands-on learning, cutting edge tech?
What careers can potentially come out of this major?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I submit a video longer than 60 seconds?
A: No, videos exceeding 60 seconds will be disqualified.

Q: Can I use music in my video?
A: Yes, but ensure you have the rights to use the music. Royalty-free music is recommended.

Q: What are the judging criteria?
A: Videos will be judged on content, creativity, clarity, and overall impact.

Q: Can I submit more than one video?
A: Yes.

Q: If I have multiple majors, can I submit a video for each of my majors?
A: Yes.

Q: If I am a graduate student, can I submit a video?
A: Yes, but only if you were an undergraduate student in that major at UH Mānoa.

Q: Can students work together on a single video?
A: Yes! Keep in mind that you will share the prize money.

Q: Must the student submitters be seen on camera?
A: No. You can show others on camera, but make sure they have given you approval to film them.

Q: Where can I borrow equipment?
A: Hamilton Library has loanable technology devices. To learn more, go to https://manoa.hawaii.edu/library/devices/

Q: When will the winners be announced?
A: Winners will be notified via email in November 2025.

Sample Videos

Need some inspiration? Check out these sample videos:

Don’t Miss Out!