Medical Schools in Hawaii: How to Get In (2024)
/Learn admissions strategies to get into the best Hawaii medical schools
Learn everything you need to know about medical schools in hawaii
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Part 1: Introduction
In addition to being the only U.S. state made of islands, Hawaii—nicknamed “The Aloha State”—was the 50th state to join the union. Its lush vegetation and tropical climate attract thousands of tourists each year. Honolulu, its capital city (and also largest city), is home to Hawaii’s only medical school, the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Formerly known as Lēʻahi Hospital, JABSOM became a school in 1965, with Lēʻahi Hospital as its home base for a two-year pre-clinical program. However, to fully realize their dreams of becoming physicians, students would need to complete the remaining two years somewhere else—and for Hawaiians, that meant somewhere in the mainland USA. In 1973, the deans decided to transform JABSOM into a fully accredited four-year medical school. Later, Governor Ben Cayetano approved the opening of its current site in 2005.
A Havard study (1992) identified JABSOM as one of ten leaders in medical education reform. Today, according to US News, JABSOM is a Tier 2 school for medical research. Its clinical and translational research has paved the way for a more knowledgeable tomorrow. From breakthroughs concerning life expectancy to forensic anthropology, JABSOM is on a path toward a clearer understanding of humans.
But what does it take to become a student at JABSOM? What is the school really like? In this guide, we’ll look closer at JABSOM and discuss its admission statistics and requirements. We’ll also hone in on some strategies to help make you a standout applicant as you apply to the only medical school in Hawaii.
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Part 2: List of medical schools in Hawaii: Rankings & admissions statistics
Even though there’s only one medical school in Hawaii, you may want to compare it to other med schools in the U.S. We’ve pulled relevant stats together in the table below to make it easier for you. Along the way, we also uncovered a few unique tidbits about JABSOM:
JABSOM is home to the largest biomedical facility in Hawaii. It also has the first clinical facility in an accredited medical school in the nation that focuses on health disparities for an indigenous population.
Around half of all practicing physicians in Hawaii are graduates of JABSOM, one of its residency or fellowship programs, or are on the staff at the school.
JABSOM is one of only four schools to be designated as a land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant institution.
| Hawaii Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii, Manoa | $72,100 OOS |
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Part 3: Hawaii medical school profiles
John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii, Manoa
The John A. Burns School of Medicine (also known as JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa is a community-based medical education center. This means that the school often partners with community hospitals to accomplish its educational goals (as opposed to a more traditional university hospital). JABSOM incorporates problem-based learning (PBL) as part of each student’s educational trajectory. In fact, students begin with a PBL course immediately in the first nine weeks of the program.
In all, the MD program is a four-year program that begins with a two-year pre-clerkship program, followed by two more years of hospital and clinical activities. While challenging, the curriculum is guided by the school’s educational philosophy, which is meant to ensure that students engage in lifelong learning; obtain foundational knowledge and discovery; are compassionate, appropriate, and effective in their care of patients; are professional; understand the unique challenges of community health; and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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Part 4: Hawaii medical school admissions strategies
Strategy 1: Decide whether you’re a likely candidate for JABSOM based on your stats
As noted above, the average GPA for the most recent matriculants was 3.77 and the average MCAT score was 512. While these may not be the highest scores, they are only part of the picture. JABSOM also mentions that its first priority is “...to admit resident applicants with strong ties to the State of Hawaii.”
Remember, JABSOM focuses on community health, so they don’t want people who are going to come to the school just for four years and then leave. They want to train people who have roots and a personal connection to the community.
Strategy 2: Focus on your fit with JABSOM in your secondary essays and interview
It bears repeating that your stats are only part of the picture. Your secondary essays and interview are an excellent opportunity for you to make your case as someone who really fits in with the school community. Aside from the numbers, your essays and interviews provide an opportunity to speak about you and how you feel and what you think about certain issues. You’ll likely have a chance to share your perspective on various issues, your goals with medicine, how you plan to practice medicine, and more.
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Strategy 3: Prepare for different interview styles
At JABSOM, the interviews are conducted virtually. Applicants undergo three interviews. Two of which will be with a clinical or basic science faculty member, JABSOM alumni, physician, member of the medical community or M4 student, and one final interview with the Director of Admissions or Admissions Committee member. With so many possibilities, it’s a good idea to prepare for how you might respond to each type of interviewer.
For instance, interviewing with a JABSOM alumni or M4 student will likely be quite different from interviewing with an adcom in your final interview. All three interviews are important to your acceptance, however, so it’s crucial to take them all seriously.
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Final thoughts:
If you're a resident of Hawaii and your stats are in line with JABSOM’s, you probably have a good chance of gaining acceptance into their MD program. Weigh your options and plan adequately for secondary essays and interviews, and you may find yourself joining the ranks of JABSOM alumni someday!
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Appendix A: Hawaii medical schools by degree type
Allopathic medical schools in Hawaii (MD)
John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa
Osteopathic medical schools in Hawaii (DO)
There are no osteopathic medical schools in Hawaii
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Appendix B: Hawaii medical schools by institution type
Public medical schools in Hawaii
John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa
Private medical schools in Hawaii
There are no private medical schools in Hawaii
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
