Faculty Labs
Biomedical research at the John A. Burns School of Medicine affiliated with UH Manoa
HighCompetitiveStart: Sophomore Year
Pre-Med Planning Guide
Pre-Med at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI
The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a comprehensive pre-med track through its robust Biology & Life Sciences, Health Sciences, and Nursing programs. Located in Honolulu, the university provides students access to diverse clinical and research experiences unique to the Pacific region, fostering a well-rounded preparation for medical careers.
Students at University of Hawaii at Manoa benefit from a supportive public university environment with strong foundational science programs, preparing them well for medical school admission processes.
Pre-Med Strength
8.4/10
- Research
- Clinical Opportunities
- Advising
- Volunteer Opportunities
- STEM Resources
Why Students Choose of Hawaii at Manoa For Pre-Med
University-specific pre-med advantages and pipeline signals.
- Major R1 research institution with extensive faculty labs
- Life sciences programs including Biology & Life Sciences
- Access to 3+ hospital systems near Honolulu
- Active pre-health community with 3+ student organizations
- Undergraduate research through biomedical research at the john a. burns school of medicine affiliated with uh manoa
- In-state tuition advantage for HI residents pursuing MD programs
- Personalized planning tools in Pre-Med OS tailored to of Hawaii at Manoa students
4-Year Plan
Pre-Med Roadmap
Year-by-year milestones from freshman year through application cycle.
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Join Pre-Med Club
- Begin Volunteering
Your Pre-Med Journey
Track each phase in Pre-Med OS.
Successful Pre-Med Student Profile
Competitive targets for students at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Target GPA
3.5+
Target MCAT
505+
Clinical Hours
250+
Volunteer Hours
150+
Research Experience
1–2 years
Research Opportunities
Structured pathways from freshman exploration to competitive publications.
Summer Research Programs
Marine biology and environmental health studies leveraging Hawaii's unique ecosystems
MediumCompetitiveStart: Sophomore–Junior Year
NIH / Federal Opportunities
Competitive national programs — strong GPA and prior lab experience recommended.
LimitedCompetitiveStart: Junior Year
Clinical Research
Hospital-affiliated clinical studies and patient-oriented research near campus.
MediumModerateStart: Junior Year
Clinical Opportunities Near Campus
Hospitals and health systems accessible from Honolulu, HI.
The Queen's Medical Center
On campus / < 5 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Straub Medical Center
5–15 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center
15–30 mi
Volunteer
High
Shadowing
High
Research
High
Pre-Health Student Organizations
Build leadership, service, and networking depth for AMCAS.
Pre-Med Society
Membership: MCAT study groups, guest physician panels, application workshops
Leadership: Officer roles in programming and outreach
Networking: Peer mentors and alumni physician connections
Health Sciences Club
Membership: Clinical volunteering coordination and health career exposure
Leadership: Event leads and volunteer site captains
Networking: Connections to hospital volunteer coordinators
Nursing Student Association
Membership: National pre-health honor society recognition
Leadership: Chapter officers and service project leads
Networking: Inter-chapter and national pre-med network
AI Assessment
Pre-Med Fit at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Strengths
- Research: Major R1 research ecosystem with faculty labs
- Clinical Opportunities: Hospital and clinic access near campus
- Advising: Pre-health advising and peer mentor networks
- Volunteer Opportunities: Community and clinical service pathways
- STEM Resources: Core science sequences and lab infrastructure
Challenges
- Pre-med is inherently competitive — plan clinical and research depth early
Recommended Strategy
- Join research or a structured lab by sophomore year
- Begin sustained clinical volunteering freshman or sophomore year
- Complete MCAT prep with a diagnostic by spring junior year
- Build strong physician and science faculty recommendations over 2+ semesters
- Leverage UH Manoa’s connection with local hospitals for clinical volunteering early in your pre-med career to strengthen your medical school applications.
How Ready Are You For Medical School?
Estimate your readiness profile while planning at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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Track Progress In Pre-Med OSStart Your Pre-Med Journey
Build your personalized plan for University of Hawaii at Manoa with GPA tracking, MCAT prep, and medical school match tools.
- GPA Tracking
- MCAT Planner
- Clinical Hours Tracker
- Volunteer Tracker
- Research Portfolio
- Medical School Match
- Application Timeline
- AI Advisor
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