Does the University of Hawaii require Common App supplemental questions, and what are they usually about?

The University of Hawaiʻi campuses that use the Common App generally do not require the kind of traditional supplemental essays many private colleges ask for. For the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, applicants usually complete the main application sections and may see school-specific questions, but these are typically short, factual items rather than multiple full-length essays.

What shows up can vary by campus and program. You may be asked for things like your intended major, residency information, academic history details, disciplinary background, or interest in special programs such as honors or scholarships. Some majors or programs may have extra requirements, but that is usually separate from a general Common App-style supplement.

If you are applying to a specific UH campus like Mānoa, Hilo, or West Oʻahu, the exact questions can differ slightly based on that campus’s application setup and whether you are applying as a first-year, transfer, or to a specialized program.

A good rule of thumb is to expect little to no supplemental essay writing for the general application, but leave time for short-answer fields and any program-specific questions that appear once you select your campus and major.