What should I know before a University of Hawaii admissions interview?

For the University of Hawaii, an admissions interview is generally not a standard required part of freshman admission.

That means the best preparation is to be ready to talk clearly about why you want that specific UH campus, what you hope to study, and how you would contribute to the community. UH schools tend to value fit, academic readiness, and genuine interest, so sounding thoughtful and informed matters more than sounding overly polished or formal.

Expect a fairly conversational tone rather than something extremely rigid. You should still treat it professionally: arrive on time, dress neatly, make eye contact, and have a short, confident answer to common questions like why this school, why this major, what activities matter most to you, and what you want from college.

A good interview answer usually includes one specific example. If they ask about leadership, resilience, or academic interest, talk about one real experience and what it taught you, instead of listing traits about yourself.

You should also prepare 2 or 3 genuine questions in case they ask whether you have any. Good questions are about student opportunities, advising, internships, research, or campus life related to your interests. That tends to leave a better impression than asking something easily found on the website.