2014-2015 University of Hawaii Application Thread

[gettheleadout]

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Please PM the essays or lack thereof to me when the secondary is available and I will update this.

Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[mrh125]

I just got a secondary from them and let me get this straight: you have to pay $150 for them to mail you a secondary when they have a website?! whaaaaaaaaaat? Also FAP won't even cover it 🙁.

 

[milski]

Sort of. You have to pay $150 to be screened - it is not a guarantee that they will send you a secondary. If you are OOS, it is highly unlikely that they will - look up the old school specific threads for their point system and how they do the selection for secondaries.

 

[chromealt]

A user from the 2012-2013 thread posted this previously regarding the point system:

The cGPA is given 4 points if the applicant is above a 3.8 (the sGPA is also the same way).

If your last 3 semesters are above a 3.5 you get 1 point

The MCAT is exactly the way you stated it.

ECs are worth 1 point (unless they changed this because the amount of points need has increased in the last few years before it was 14 now it is 16 for OOS).

Research is 1 point

Having an M.S. is 1 point and a PhD is 2 points

Publishing is 1 point

Honor and awards is 2 points

Legacy is 1 point (have family who are JABSOM affiliates)

There are also "hawaii points" given to people with ties to hawaii. If you have enough of these points then you have instate status (8 points to gain an interview instead of 16).

Anybody know if this still holds true? Also, for the ECs points, is it just a single point for having any ECs, or can you get more than one point for having diverse ECs?

 

[Dwan]

The point system was still there for the '13-14 cycle, although I'm not sure of the exact breakdown. I would advise against applying given the costs if you are not in the ballpark of the points (biggest factor being GPA for out-of-state) required for interview.

 

[chromealt]

The point system was still there for the '13-14 cycle, although I'm not sure of the exact breakdown. I would advise against applying given the costs if you are not in the ballpark of the points (biggest factor being GPA for out-of-state) required for interview.

I think I'm sitting around 14 based on that breakdown (or more if it's possible to earn more than 1 point for ECs). Did you apply last year? If so, how did it go?

 

[mrh125]

A user from the 2012-2013 thread posted this previously regarding the point system:



Anybody know if this still holds true? Also, for the ECs points, is it just a single point for having any ECs, or can you get more than one point for having diverse ECs?

that is definitely something i want to know.

 

[Dwan]

I think I'm sitting around 14 based on that breakdown (or more if it's possible to earn more than 1 point for ECs). Did you apply last year? If so, how did it go?

I applied last year and received an interview 1 week after I submitted my secondary (I had 18 points by that scale). They do not request letters of recommendations until you receive an invite. I chose not to go as they make you contact and schedule your own interviews (3) and estimated cost of attendance was $94,000/yr for OOS with no option of switching residency for tuition purposes.

 

[death prophet]

Hoping I get past the secondary screen. Been a little over a week and still haven't heard anything.

 

[mrh125]

Hoping I get past the secondary screen. Been a little over a week and still haven't heard anything.

It might take a while because they send secondaries via snail mail. good luck 🙂

 

[gharada]

OOS secondary received via email yesterday.

 

[BMC11]

Hmmm so I'm OOS but I'm also Native Hawaiian (on the OHA registry and the Native Hawaiian roll)...I hope one makes up for the other!

 

[FMSIIM1]

Hmmm so I'm OOS but I'm also Native Hawaiian (on the OHA registry and the Native Hawaiian roll)...I hope one makes up for the other!

There is a point system that takes into account attachments to the state. Being native Hawaiian will definitely help, very few of us pursue medicine. Only 3 Hawaiians graduated from JABSOM this past year. That being said, very few slots go to OOS.
Good luck to you. I am IS, native Hawaiian, non traditional.

 

[FMSIIM1]

Hmmm so I'm OOS but I'm also Native Hawaiian (on the OHA registry and the Native Hawaiian roll)...I hope one makes up for the other!

On a separate note, I did not Kau Inoa, political reasons. I did register with the Ho'oulu Center that tracks native Hawaiians for scholarships and school enrollments.

 

[death prophet]

Received the secondary via e-mail. IS. Excited. Good luck to all applying to Hawaii JABSOM!

 

[BMC11]

There is a point system that takes into account attachments to the state. Being native Hawaiian will definitely help, very few of us pursue medicine. Only 3 Hawaiians graduated from JABSOM this past year. That being said, very few slots go to OOS.
Good luck to you. I am IS, native Hawaiian, non traditional.

It's so awesome to find another Native Hawaiian applying to med school! I was born and raised on the east coast, so I haven't come into contact with very many Hawaiians that weren't immediate blood relatives (plus east coasters tend to be like "you're a what? oh, so you're a Hawaiian like I'm a Marylander! No? that's not what you mean? Is that even real?"). I'm glad being a Native Hawaiian is worth a few points!

 

[FMSIIM1]

It's so awesome to find another Native Hawaiian applying to med school! I was born and raised on the east coast, so I haven't come into contact with very many Hawaiians that weren't immediate blood relatives (plus east coasters tend to be like "you're a what? oh, so you're a Hawaiian like I'm a Marylander! No? that's not what you mean? Is that even real?"). I'm glad being a Native Hawaiian is worth a few points!

I believe if your parent(s) went to school in Hawaii or if you took even 1 class from a Hawaii university or community college, you can get more points.

 

[asyouwish]

I believe if your parent(s) went to school in Hawaii or if you took even 1 class from a Hawaii university or community college, you can get more points.

I couldn't find a way to mark parent's education in Hawaii on the app. My mother/grandmother were born and raised in Hawaii and we're part Native Hawaiian. I'm hoping to make it to a secondary so I can explain these ties. GL to you all and so awesome to see Native Hawaiians on here!

 

[hirschman]

If you receive the secondary packet does that mean you are going to get an interview? Or is there still another screening after submitting that? Does anyone know

 

[Shinkiro]

If you receive the secondary packet does that mean you are going to get an interview? Or is there still another screening after submitting that? Does anyone know

sounds somebody got an interview!
Likewise here~!
OMG my first interview invite EVER omgomgomgomgomg

 

[BMC11]

sounds somebody got an interview!
Likewise here~!
OMG my first interview invite EVER omgomgomgomgomg

Does getting a secondary mean you get an interview? I didn't think that was the case...I think you go through another screening process before interviews are given out.

 

[mochicheeks808]

If you receive the secondary packet does that mean you are going to get an interview? Or is there still another screening after submitting that? Does anyone know

I believe that after you finish the secondary application essays and send them back, they will look over your application again and decide whether to invite you to an interview or not. You'll get a separate email about the interview protocol

 

[hirschman]

Thanks everyone! 🙂 I got the interview invite packet shortly after posting that, so they do send out another packet regarding interviews. Best of luck to all!

 

[BMC11]

Thanks everyone! 🙂 I got the interview invite packet shortly after posting that, so they do send out another packet regarding interviews. Best of luck to all!

Congrats! How long did it take them to send you a secondary/interview packet after you paid your processing fee?

 

[hirschman]

About 3 weeks I believe!

Congrats! How long did it take them to send you a secondary/interview packet after you paid your processing fee?

 

[chromealt]

Got a secondary via e-mail today! Totally was not expecting to make it past the harsh screen.

Does anybody know if they only accept the secondary forms via mail?

 

[bimatoprost]

I emailed my secondary application to them.

 

[qszwdxefc]

Got a secondary via e-mail today! Totally was not expecting to make it past the harsh screen.

Does anybody know if they only accept the secondary forms via mail?

Email only I believe

 

[qszwdxefc]

Thanks everyone! 🙂 I got the interview invite packet shortly after posting that, so they do send out another packet regarding interviews. Best of luck to all!

For those of you who submitted the secondary, how did you sign the forms? Is a digital signature in Adobe ok or do you have to print it, sign it, and scan that?

 

[chromealt]

For those of you who submitted the secondary, how did you sign the forms? Is a digital signature in Adobe ok or do you have to print it, sign it, and scan that?

I used a digital signature for what it's worth.

 

[qszwdxefc]

I used a digital signature for what it's worth.

And by that did you upload a scanned version of your signature or is it just your name typed out?

 

[chromealt]

And by that did you upload a scanned version of your signature or is it just your name typed out?

I have an actual signature, not just my name typed out.

 

[midnightstrike]

Hey guys just received the secondary as a Canadian applicant. I was wondering if they look down upon people who do not sign up for their PBL presentation? I don't think I can afford the extra trip down there and was wondering if that made any difference in my application?

And chromealt, it's nice seeing a fellow Canadian applying to similar schools! Good luck!

 

[chromealt]

Hey guys just received the secondary as a Canadian applicant. I was wondering if they look down upon people who do not sign up for their PBL presentation? I don't think I can afford the extra trip down there and was wondering if that made any difference in my application?

And chromealt, it's nice seeing a fellow Canadian applying to similar schools! Good luck!

I was wondering the same thing as well. Crossing my fingers they don't take it badly because I truly am interested in the school and PBL. I'm actually just happy I even got the secondary. Totally wasn't expecting to get one. Good luck to you too =)

 

[midnightstrike]

I was wondering the same thing as well. Crossing my fingers they don't take it badly because I truly am interested in the school and PBL. I'm actually just happy I even got the secondary. Totally wasn't expecting to get one. Good luck to you too =)

I am from McMaster University, where PBL originates from, so I feel I have a solid grasp on what it is and honestly I cannot afford the $800 trip after applying to and paying the secondary fees to about 20 schools!

 

[qszwdxefc]

I was wondering the same thing as well. Crossing my fingers they don't take it badly because I truly am interested in the school and PBL. I'm actually just happy I even got the secondary. Totally wasn't expecting to get one. Good luck to you too =)

I honestly don't think it will affect anything. I'm sure they understand how expensive it can be to travel and it's probably just so people don't turn down their Hawaii acceptance due to uncertainty with what PBL is.

But hey I'm just an applicant what do I know

 

[mw18]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has any insight into what types of classes JABSOM accepts to satisfy the Cell and Molecular Biology requirement? Does it have to be a cell bio class, or can it be genetics, microbiology, or something similar?

 

[chromealt]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has any insight into what types of classes JABSOM accepts to satisfy the Cell and Molecular Biology requirement? Does it have to be a cell bio class, or can it be genetics, microbiology, or something similar?

If you send them an e-mail, I've found their response times to be excellent.

 

[loungebunny]

If you send them an e-mail, I've found their response times to be excellent.

Their office is probably closed (with the hurricanes and all)

 

[midnightstrike]

Their office is probably closed (with the hurricanes and all)

Definitely. I would still send the email as they state that their servers are still online. I just wouldn't expect an answer until Tuesday or so.

 

[loungebunny]

Definitely. I would still send the email as they state that their servers are still online. I just wouldn't expect an answer until Tuesday or so.

I certainly hope so because my essays were due!! (it sucks that I have to wait for awhile for confirmations though)

 

[midnightstrike]

I certainly hope so because my essays were due!! (it sucks that I have to wait for awhile for confirmations though)

I am in the same boat. I submitted them Thursday Night (Eastern Time). I am hoping I receive some sort of confirmation early next week.

 

[qszwdxefc]

Still called and left a message regarding verification. Just paranoid about the "Contact our office within a week of submitting any requested materials to confirm that your materials have been received by JABSOM’s Admissions Office."

 

[midnightstrike]

Still called and left a message regarding verification. Just paranoid about the "Contact our office within a week of submitting any requested materials to confirm that your materials have been received by JABSOM’s Admissions Office."

Definitely. I will call them on Tuesday as I want to give them time to setup things after the storm.

 

[mw18]

I emailed Friday and heard back Friday, so I would assume your materials all made it there safely, also. I decided to email after two calls went unanswered during Hawaii business hours.

 

[bimatoprost]

I've noticed that they don't pick up any phone calls, but will call you back within 10 minutes of leaving a message.

 

[betabarrel]

Hi everyone, I'm applying here as OOS and received an email saying:

"Subject: Received $150 Application Processing Fee_Pkt. 1

Dear [Name]:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your $150 credit card payment for JABSOM’s application processing fee. Your application is proceeding through the admissions process. You are now being asked to complete two additional forms: 1) JABSOM Question A and Question B Essays and, if a reapplicant to JABSOM, the Question C Essay; and 2) Verification of Science Prerequisites Form. Additional information is included with each of the attachments.
..."

Please tell me this is the secondary everyone's been talking about! Or is it just a confirmation that they received my $150 haha

 

[bimatoprost]

That's the secondary.

 

[betabarrel]

Thanks for confirming bimatoprost! Wasn't sure if that was the email they sent everyone upon receiving the $150

 

[qszwdxefc]

nvm!