Admissions Criteria

To provide standards of admissions for those classified students admitted into approved programs of study leading to UH West Oʻahu degrees.

1. Freshmen – individuals who have zero to no more than 29 credit hours of post-secondary instruction and/or are generally first timers to enroll in post-secondary instruction.
2. Transfers – individuals who are presently or previously enrolled at a college or university other than UH West Oʻahu.
3. International Students – individuals who need an F-1 visa to study in the United States or are eligible to study in the U.S. on another visa category type.
4. Returning Students – individuals who experienced a break in enrollment at UH West Oʻahu without taking an approved leave of absence or who have been suspended or dismissed from UH West Oʻahu.
5. High School Early Admits – high school students desiring to get a jump-start on their college studies while still attending high school.

1. Admissions of Freshmen
   1. High School GPA of 2.7 cumulative on a 4.0 scaled based on the coursework described below
   2. High School coursework: minimum 22 credits as noted
      1. English 4 credits
      2. Math 3 credits (including Algebra II and Geometry)
      3. Natural Sciences 3 credits
      4. Social Studies 3 credits
      5. College Prep 4 credits (e.g. language, fine arts)
      6. Electives 5 credits
   3. Other Requirements
      1. Applicants who meet the freshmen admissions requirements of #1 and #2 above will automatically be admitted to UH West Oʻahu.
      2. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.7 cumulative HSGPA or the minimum 22 credits of coursework will be evaluated based on SAT or ACT scores. Additionally, these applicants will be required to submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher and/or counselor and a one-page personal essay addressing who they are and why they have chosen UH West Oʻahu to pursue their academic studies.
   4. Applicants are expected to submit official records for all admissions requirements.
2. Admission of Homeschooled Applicants
   1. Applicants who have been homeschooled are expected to meet the admissions criteria required of other applicants.
   2. Homeschooled applicants must submit a transcript that includes titles and descriptions of all course work completed, textbooks used, methods of teaching and evaluation, and the resulting grades or structured assessments.
   3. SAT or ACT scores are encouraged.
   4. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
3. Admission of GED Applicants
   1. Applicants who have received their General Education Development (GED) diploma may apply for admissions to UH West Oʻahu.
   2. GED applicants should submit an application and have their transcripts and test results sent directly to the Office of Admissions, UH West Oʻahu for review.
   3. In addition, applicants should submit a letter of recommendation from their employer or counselor and a one-page personal essay to facility the evaluation of their application.
   4. SAT or ACT scores are encouraged.
   5. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
4. Admission of Transfer Applicants
   1. Transfer applicants must have completed at least 24 transferable college-level semester credits from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
   2. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 transferable college-level semester credits, or who previously attended a non-regionally accredited institution will be evaluated under the admission of freshmen requirements.
   3. Individuals who have graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from a University of Hawaiʻi community college or other regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale are eligible for admission as a transfer student. Such individuals with an Associate of Arts degree in the liberal arts will be accepted as having completed general education requirements per EP5.209 (UH System Student Transfer and Inter-Campus Articulation).
   4. UH West Oʻahu reserves the right to grant provisional acceptance or deny admission to UH West Oʻahu based on previous student disciplinary issues at another college of university when known. A review and final determination regarding admission to UH West Oʻahu will be performed by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or designee.
5. Admission of International Students
   1. completed University of Hawaiʻi System Online Application Form
   2. Official secondary & post-secondary school transcripts
      1. All official transcripts, examination certifications (e.g. General Certificate of Education) and other documents showing all high school and any completed post-secondary work submitted to Office of Admissions, UH West Oʻahu. All official transcripts must be mailed directly by the institution or Ministry of Education to the Office of Admissions. Documents mailed or hand carried by the applicant or anyone else will not be accepted as official or used for admissions consideration.
      2. Secondary school transcripts must include a list of courses taken and grades/internal marks received each year, class rank for the last four years of secondary school, and an explanation of the school’s grading system. If transcripts with annual internal marks are unavailable directly from the school, applicants may photocopy their mark sheets or grade reports and have them certified by a school official who verifies that a transcript is otherwise not available.
      3. Post-secondary school transcripts must include a list of courses taken, grades/marks received, number of hours spent in each class per term, explanation of the school’s grading system, and the applicant’s rank in class. Applicants may also be asked to provide course descriptions and a list of text books used in each course.
      4. Photocopies of external examination certificates must be certified by a school or Ministry of Education official or issued by the examining board and be sent directly to the Office of Admissions, UH West Oʻahu.
      5. All documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation that has been certified by a school or Ministry of Education official.
   3. International applicants must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores must be sent directly to UH West Oʻahu from Educational Testing Services for international applicants from countries where English is not the primary language. TOEFL scores are necessary to evaluate the student’s English proficiency in terms of probable ability to complete a program of study at UH West Oʻahu effectively. Minimum scores for admissions are noted below.
      1. Paper – 550 or higher
      2. Computer – 213 or higher
      3. Internet – 79 or higher
      4. TOEFL Exemptions
         1. Applicants with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.0 or better (academic section only)
         2. Applicants with SAT Writing score of 510 or higher
         3. Applicants with ACT English score of 22 or higher
         4. Grade of C or better in English 100 or equivalent as determined by the Office of Admissions, UH West Oʻahu
   4. Completed University of Hawaiʻi Supplementary Information Form for Undergraduate International Applicants form
   5. Applicants who are F-1 visa status must provide a certified bank statement in United States dollars signed within the last 6 months attesting to financial support at levels sufficient to cover living expenses and tuition and fees as stipulated by the campus in accordance with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services rules. Other applicants must provide current official documentation that sufficient financial support is available to adequately cover tuition and expenses while attending the University.
   6. International students must carry complete health insurance for the duration of their studies at UH West Oʻahu as stipulated by Regents Policy, RP7.207, Part IIIc and Executive Policy, EP7.301.
   7. The I-20 form, required by the US Department of Homeland Security & Customs & Border Protection for a student visa, will be issued by the University after the requirements outlined herein are fulfilled, and the international applicant has been accepted for admission.
6. Admission of Returning Students
   1. Students who experienced a break in enrollment at UH West Oʻahu without having taken an approved leave of absence or who have been suspended or dismissed must apply for re-admissions as returning students.
   2. Students who have attended another college or university, or another University of Hawaiʻi campus must apply as a transfer student (refer to Admission of Transfer Applicants for requirements).
   3. Re-admission is not automatic because of potential changes in academic regulations and limitations in enrollment.
   4. Returning students who are re-admitted will be subject to the General Education Core, program requirements, and graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-admission.
   5. Questions concerning re-admission should be directed to the Office of Admissions.
7. Admission of High School/Dual Credit Students
   1. UH West Oʻahu provides educational opportunities for high school students through its Early Admission/Dual Credit Program as authorized by state law, HRS 304A-803. This program encourages high school students to get a jump-start on their college studies while still attending high school and supplements the high school curriculum.
   2. High School students register for courses on a space available basis since course availability is limited due to priority registration for degree-seeking students. The requirements for admissions as approved by the UHWO Faculty Senate establish important college readiness standards for high school students desiring to enroll in the University’s Dual Credit Program.
   3. Requirements for High School Freshmen & Sophomores
      1. Minimum cumulative school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
      2. Minimum ACT Composite score of 18 or higher
   4. Requirements for High School Juniors
      1. Minimum cumulative school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
      2. Completion of the following high school courses
         2 years of English
         2 years of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II)
         2 years of Physical Science
         2 years of Social Studies
         1 year of College Prep (art, music, language or additional courses listed above)
   5. Requirements for High School Seniors
      1. Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
      2. Completion of the following high school courses
         3 years of English
         2 years of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II) and currently registered for 3rd year
         3 years of Physical Science
         3 years of Social Studies
         1 year of College Prep (art, music, language or additional courses listed above)
      3. Be under the age of 21 as of September 1 of the year when admission is sought
      4. Student must meet the prerequisites for the UH West Oʻahu course of interest

Authority to make determination and assessments that requirements are met delegated to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or Director of Enrollment Services or Director of Admissions.

Office of the Director of Enrollment Services or Director of Admissions at telephone numbers 808-689-2900 or 808-689-2916 or by email at uhwoenro8@hawaii.edu or uhwo.admissions@hawaii.edu.

1. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, HRS 304A-803 Dual Credit Program
2. Regents Policy RP5.211, RP5.212, RP5.214, RP7.207
   Executive Policy EP5.209, EP7.206, EP7.301
   UH West Oʻahu Faculty Senate Resolution #2017-3

None.