What should international students know when applying to the University of Hawaiʻi as a high school applicant?

As an international high school applicant to the University of Hawaiʻi, the biggest things to prepare are your academic records, proof of English proficiency if required, and the school-specific application materials. UH campuses want official secondary school transcripts, and if those records are not in English, they generally need certified English translations. You should also expect to submit proof that you completed a university-preparatory secondary curriculum comparable to U.S. high school graduation requirements.

For academics, grades matter most. The University of Hawaiʻi system includes multiple campuses, and admission standards vary by campus, but international first-year applicants are typically reviewed based on secondary school performance, course rigor, and completion of required college-prep subjects. Some campuses may ask for a transcript evaluation or more detailed grading information if your school system is unfamiliar.

For English proficiency, you may need to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or another accepted exam unless you qualify for an exemption. It is important to check the specific UH campus you are applying to because accepted tests and minimum scores can differ.

Documents to prepare early include your passport identification page, official transcripts from all secondary schools attended, certified translations if needed, exam results if your country uses national leaving exams, and English test scores. You should also be ready with financial documentation later in the process for your student visa, since admitted international students usually need to show proof of funding before receiving immigration documents.

Apply directly to the specific UH campus, not just the overall system, and read that campus’s international freshman checklist carefully.