Tips to Answer University of Hawaii Secondary Essays

University of Hawaii Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: The Admissions Committee changes the secondaries too often. We would not pre-write University of Hawaii secondaries.

• Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples.

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: The University of Hawaii School of Medicine values diversity among its medical students. Because many individuals in Hawaii believe in “traditional Hawaiian” medicine and many individuals in Hawaii suffer form chronic diseases like hypertension, medical students are taught to look a holistic health, preventative medicine, and incorporating traditional medicine practices.

Incorporating patient care stories throughout your University of Hawaii secondaries is definitely going to help you stand out. For example, you can incorporate stories about working with patients and helping them with chronic disease management. 

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: One way to answer the question, “How will your background and experiences contribute to the diversity at the John A. Burns School of Medicine?” is by writing your response like an autobiography. 

• High-Yield Resource – Read our blog post: How To Write An Autobiography For Medical School

However, University of Hawaii applicants also do not need to write an entire life-story. You can also address this question by writing specific passions. Make sure to add stories related to your passions! This is a great essay to incorporate at least 1 patient story. 

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: You must write any affiliations with the University of Hawaii and Hawaii state. If you have relatives or lived in Hawaii, definitely mention that in your University of Hawaii Medical School secondary application! If you have done any meaningful or impactful work in Hawaii, you should also mention that in this secondary application.

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: To answer the University of Hawaii secondaries question, “Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful,” here are some tips to stand out:

• Give a story of you impacting ONE person through the volunteer experience.
• Reflect on what you learned by helping out that individual.
• Connect the story to what you will as a physician. 

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why University of Hawaii” throughout the secondary application. Talk about projects and research you want to do as a student in Hawaii. How will you combine ideas in natural & Hawaiian medicine with Western medicine? 

• High-Yield Resource – Read our blog post: Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example

University of Hawaii Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: This is a tough secondary application, so please reach out if you have any questions through our contact form. We can help you through our secondary essay editing packages.

For the University of Hawaii secondaries question, “If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Describe what efforts you have made to further improve your application to the MD Program,” it’s very important to discuss the following in the re-applicant essay:

• Reflections about why your application was not as strong last cycle. 
• How you addressed the weaknesses. 
• Clinical opportunities you’ve done since you applied. Reflect on what you learned about patient care. You can write a story about a patient experience or clinical experience you had!
• There is also enough space to discuss a story from a volunteer experience! 

[Read other secondary essays: University of California, San Diego (UCSD); University of California, Irvine (UCI); University of Arizona – Phoenix; Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU)]