Should I submit my ACT score to the University of Hawaii for admission?

If your score is below that range and your grades are stronger than your testing, leaving it out is usually the better move. For UH admissions, GPA and coursework tend to matter more, and test scores are generally most useful when they reinforce academic readiness or help with placement, scholarships, or special programs.

The key question is not whether your ACT is “good” in general, but whether it is good for that campus. For example, UH Mānoa is typically more selective than some other University of Hawaiʻi campuses, so a score that helps at one campus may be neutral or less helpful at another. Compare your ACT to the school’s published freshman profile or middle 50 percent data if available.

A simple rule works well. Submit if your composite score is around the 50th percentile or higher for admitted students, especially if your section scores line up with your intended major. A stronger Math score can help for STEM, while a stronger English/Reading profile can help for humanities or social sciences.

Do not submit if the score is noticeably weaker than the school’s usual range and your transcript already shows solid grades in core academic classes. In a test-optional setting, a lower score rarely adds value if it creates doubt that your grades do not.

Also check whether UH uses scores for merit scholarships, course placement, or direct admission to certain programs. If your ACT is close to the campus average, I’d lean toward submitting; if it is clearly below and your GPA is stronger, I’d lean against it.