Is UH Mānoa right for me?
Is Mānoa the campus for me?
Below are some things you might be wondering, as well as some things you might not have considered yet as you search for the right transfer institution.
When should I transfer?
Just like deciding on Mānoa as your next destination campus, deciding when you transfer depends on many things. Here are some things to get you started.
An official transfer credit evaluation is done after the studentʻs transfer application is processed, sooner for Kaʻieʻie students. The UH System Course Transfer Credit Database can be used in lieu of this as a guideline only. Remember that transferable credits to UH Mānoa are from courses level 100+.
UH system students
Select your primary campus > select UH Mānoa as the target campus > select course alphas
Non-UH system students
Enter a search term like “San Francisco” > select your institution from the search results > select UH Mānoa as the target campus > select course alphas
If your course is not listed, it means UH Mānoa has not encountered this class before. You may want to save a course syllabi and course description for evaluation. If your class is listed, but the UH Mānoa side is blank, then it means there is no equivalent course. Refer to the Glossary for meanings of abbreviations and acronyms.
All degrees, minors, and certificates offered at UH Mānoa.
As of Spring 2020
- Full-time resident total = $6,093 per semester*
- Full-time non-resident total = $17,109 per semester*
*Subject to change. Please view full tuition and fees for up to date tuition information.
On-Campus housing will be through Student Housing Services. Students looking for Spring only housing should wait for the Spring Only application which is released late October – November; do not fill out the academic year application.
Off-Campus housing can be found through many traditional means, and although we do not partner with or endorse any of these, here are some online options available that you might look through at your discretion:
- Kalo Terrace - University
- University Manor - University
- Hale Mahana - University
- Keauhou Lane - Kakaʻako
- Waikiki Vista - Waikiki
- Executive Center Apartments, LLC - Downtown
- HICentral.com - Searchable database
Yes! The Kokua Program: Kahi o ka ulu ‘ana - "the place of growing" offers a variety of disability access services!
Transferring can be challenging, especially if you join our ʻohana (family) from out of state. Here are some suggestions and resources to get your started!
- Get involved with Student Life & Development
- Check out networking events in your School or College
- Attend Campus Center Board Activities Council activities
- Talk to someone in the Counseling & Student Development Center
This is an important question too, the next column of questions can help you determine the when of your transfer journey!
The answer to this question depends on a few things:
What is your major? Are there any additional major admissions requirements you must complete before even beginning major coursework? If youʻve chosen a major such as Business, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Social Work, etc. you can see the admissions requirements on those respective program sheets and major websites.
How many credits do you come in with? If you donʻt already have an official Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) that you receive only upon application to UH Mānoa, you can use the UH System Transfer Credit Database to get general idea of what you may receive credit for. This is to be used as a guide only and equivalencies found here are not guaranteed.
- If many of your credits equate to elective credits or nothing at all, you may take longer to finish a degree.
- But if your credits have direct equivalencies that count toward your major, general education requirements, and graduation requirements, you may have a shorter timeline.
- Once admitted to UH Mānoa, it is always best to speak with your Major Advisor to get a break down of your credits.
Will you be full-time or part-time? This determines your enrollment status. Taking a fuller load each semester means you finish faster. If you are part-time, itʻs important to understand that it will take longer to finish you degree.
Have you met with your academic advisor? Some courses are offered in select semesters, so it is important that you speak with an academic advisor about course sequencing to ensure your classes are offered when you plan to take them. This is especially important for highly sequenced majors such as those in College of Natural Sciences (Biology, Marine Bio, etc.) and remember that higher level courses often have prerequisites that must be taken prior.
Students should speak to their current institutionʻs financial aid office about their current financial aid status. For UH Mānoa Financial Aid Office, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, which includes a 150% maximum time frame of 180 attempted credits. This is a general rule and students should always inquire directly with the Financial Aid Office about their individual financial aid packages.
Some majors require additional, internal applications in addition to the UH Mānoa Office of Admissions application. These majors have varying submission timelines. Check the program sheet for your major and see what the submission date(s) is(are) and whether they accept for both Fall and Spring semesters, just Fall, or every other Fall.
Typically, applications are submitted in the semester prior to starting. When you apply, it is often to start in a future semester, not the same one so you should be sure to speak with an advisor and plan ahead.
All UH Mānoa students are allowed take classes at a UH Community College.*
Make sure the courses transfer to UH Mānoa.
Make sure the courses count toward your degree if youʻre on financial aid. You must have your major advisor at UH Mānoa verify this on a Community College Enrollment form.
- Financial Aid Forms
- Miscellaneous Forms/Documents
- Community College/UH System Enrollment Form
- Submit to Financial Aid Office by the specified deadline
Keep in mind that the current semesterʻs form is only available for the designated submission period up until the deadline, which is usually around the start of the semester. Toward the end of the semester, the form for the following semester is posted again.
*If you are coming to us from outside University of Hawaiʻi system, you might opt to apply straight to a UH Community College first, and participate in other options to transfer to UH Mānoa as a UHCC student. Students should discuss with an academic advisor to make an informed decision.
Itʻs always best to speak with an academic advisor to determine if summer courses make sense for you and your major.
Non-UH transfers considering summer school: Summer sessions are considered part of the previous academic year. So, for example, if you have been accepted for the Fall 2020 term, and want to participate in summer school, you are only eligible for Summer 2021. In order to participate in Summer 2020 courses at UH Mānoa, you will need to apply directly to Outreach College or UH Community College Campus. In subsequent summers, as a continuing student you will no longer need to apply to Outreach College separately.
Transferring schools can be a huge change, whether youʻre coming to us from within the UH System around Oʻahu, from one of our neighbor islands, from the mainland, or even abroad. Consider all these domains when making the choice.
- Physically – are you able to travel to UH Mānoa?
- Academically – have you completed what you can at your current institution, does UH Mānoa offer a major you want, are you equipped to complete your intended program?
- Financially – have you taken into consideration tuition, fees, housing costs, living expenses, do you have a budget that works for you?
- Mentally – are you prepared for large classes, the academic expectations of a 4-year institution, balancing family/work/school/social?
The Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center is here to help point you in the direction of answers to these common transfer concerns. We encourage students to think about these on your own first, do some research and see what you find. You might even continue perusing our website for answers. If youʻre still unsure, Contact Us.
Still have questions about UH Mānoa? Check out the A-Z Index at the top of our website!