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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Honolulu, HI, United StatesEstablished 1967Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions March 30 (AAMC standard)
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Full guide

How to get into John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD)

The John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, located in the Kaka'ako district of Honolulu, is Hawaii's only medical school and a national pioneer of Problem-Based Learning in medical education. JABSOM trains physicians for service across Hawaii and the Pacific basin, with particular emphasis on Native Hawaiian health, health equity, and the unique cultural and epidemiological challenges of island communities. The school's small class size and island location create a close-knit, community-oriented academic culture.

What makes it different

JABSOM is the only MD-granting medical school in Hawaii and serves as the primary training institution for physicians serving Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, and the wider Pacific basin. The school has a longstanding commitment to Native Hawaiian health and Pacific Islander communities. JABSOM developed and pioneered the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum model that was widely adopted across US medical schools. Its location in Kaka'ako places students in one of the most ethnically diverse clinical environments in the United States.

Course & teaching

PBL curriculum. 4-year MD using a full Problem-Based Learning curriculum — JABSOM was among the earliest US schools to adopt PBL and has refined it over decades. Small-group sessions anchor the preclinical years; clinical rotations at Queens Medical Center, Straub Medical Center, and community health centers across Oahu, Maui, and the Neighbor Islands.

Research strengths

John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) has notable research strength in Native Hawaiian health disparities, Pacific Islander health, Cancer in Pacific populations, Diabetes and metabolic disease, Infectious disease in island communities.

Interview

John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one or panel interviews with faculty and community members. JABSOM conducts traditional interviews on the Kaka'ako campus in Honolulu. Applicants typically participate in two individual or panel interviews of 30–40 minutes each, with faculty members and often community representatives. Interviewers probe commitment to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health, experience with Hawaii's unique multicultural patient population, and motivation to practice in the Pacific region. The day includes a campus tour of the Kaka'ako Health Sciences complex, an overview of the Problem-Based Learning curriculum, and informal time with current students. JABSOM's mission to serve Hawaii and the Pacific basin permeates every aspect of interview evaluation.

Intake

Approximately 77 students per year (2025 entering class).

At a glance

Founded in 1967, based in Honolulu, HI. Programmes offered: Primary Care, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applications via AMCAS; secondary application required. JABSOM gives strong preference to Hawaii residents and applicants with demonstrated ties to Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander communities. Out-of-state applicants are considered but face strong in-state competition. The curriculum uses PBL exclusively; applicants should demonstrate comfort with self-directed learning.
MCAT median
512 (range 507–517)
GPA median
3.70 overall / 3.65 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
6.0%
Class size
77
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
80%
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Required
Holistic review emphasis
Hawaii residency, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community ties, PBL learning style fit, primary care commitment.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS / AACOMAS / ADEA AADSAS / class-profile; verify current cycle.
Specialities offered
Primary Care, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
Interview

How John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interviews with faculty and community members
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30 (AAMC standard)
Post-interview chances
Estimated post-interview acceptance rate approximately 30–40% for Hawaii residents; significantly lower for out-of-state applicants. Mission and community ties are primary differentiators.
Tutor insight
JABSOM's PBL curriculum is genuine and demanding — if you prefer lecture-based learning, be honest with yourself before applying. In your interview, demonstrate specific knowledge of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health disparities (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer rates) and any direct experience with these communities. Hawaii residency gives a meaningful advantage; out-of-state applicants should demonstrate compelling Pacific ties or a very strong academic profile. The small class size means everyone knows each other — emphasize your collaborative approach and comfort with community-based learning.
Practice

Practise for your John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumPanelQ1

Service Orientation: Motivations Beyond Prestige

A pre-medical advisor tells you the most competitive applicants have research publications, a high GPA, and a strong MCAT score. You have all three. But your strongest commitment has been sustained direct service -- tutoring underserved high school students, providing health education at a community centre, and building a partnership between your university and a local food bank. How do you articulate the value of service work to an admissions committee, and why do you believe this orientation matters to the practice of medicine?

Likely follow-up · How would you respond to a faculty member who argues that a physician's primary obligation is clinical excellence, not community service?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

Holistic Review: Post-SCOTUS 2023 and Race-Conscious Admissions

In 2023, the US Supreme Court ruled in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC that race-conscious admissions programmes at universities were unconstitutional. The Court noted, however, that applicants may still discuss how race affected their lives, including through discrimination. How should medical schools approach diversity in admissions in this new legal landscape, and why does physician workforce diversity matter for patient outcomes?

Likely follow-up · What is the difference between using race as a category in admissions decisions versus considering an applicant's lived experience of race as a biographical fact?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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FAQ

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