How to Apply

The UH Marine Biology Graduate Program will begin accepting applications for 2025 Fall admissions on September 1, 2024.

• Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted starting in September 15, 2024. The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 is November 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m. HST.
• Join the applicant news email list: https://groups.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/g/uh-mbgp-applicant-news-grp

• Applications are only accepted for fall admission.
• The Marine Biology Graduate Program begins with a required intensive (8am-5pm), in-person core course in AUGUST, before the start of the Fall 2025 semester (tentatively August 4 - August 15), with an anticipated cost of up to $500. If applying, be sure you are able to attend and complete this course.
• Carefully review the MBIO admissions requirements and the Admissions FAQ page.

Successful applicants to the MBIO graduate program identify a potential faculty sponsor before/during the application process. This step is required and is essential to your application process. Applicants should first identify a few Regular Graduate Faculty in the MBIO grad program with complementary research interest. Contact these faculty to determine if there is mutual interest in joining their laboratory starting in Fall 2025. The Supplemental Information Form (see Step 5, below) will ask you to identify 1–3 faculty members whom you have contacted with with whom you would like to study. For tips on identifying and contacting faculty relevant to you and your interests, see our Admissions FAQ page.

Go to https://groups.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/g/uh-mbgp-applicant-news-grp and submit your e-mail address. If you joined the list before Fall 2022, your email address may no longer be on the e-mail list. If you have trouble joining the email list via the link above send an email to mbiograd@hawaii.edu with the subject line "join mbgp applicant news." If we have announcements for applicants about any updates to the admissions process, we will send it to e-mails on this list. Any announcements would come from mbgpapps@hawaii.edu. In the event your organization blocks access to Google Forms, you may e-mail mbgpapps@hawaii.edu; we could e-mail you the required fields for you to send back via reply e-mail. Please note that this is a one-way announcement listserv; there is no Google Group to log into for past messages, etc.

Step 3: UHM GRADUATE APPLICATION
Complete the UHM Graduate Application and pay the Fee (preferably by December 1)

• As you complete the application, you will need to know that the Marine Biology Graduate Program is part of the
  • Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Site: UH Manoa Main Campus
  • Make sure you are applying for Fall 2025

  The Supplemental Materials Upload site

  • For instructions on using the Supplementary Materials Upload Site, there is an instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUwwvtT6oqE)

  Note about the fee

  As of Sept. 27, 2021, Graduate Division notes: "No application fee waivers or deferments are granted. Application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and may not be used for an application submitted at a later date. " The MBIO graduate program does not collect application fees and is not authorized to waive them. Please contact the Graduation Division for more information.

  Please observe the November 15, 2024 deadline

  Please note that the Graduate Division online application is active year-round since it serves all programs on campus—all of which have different deadlines and application periods. Thus, while their site will allow you to start an application for the MBGP after the Novebmer 15, 2024 deadline, applications submitted after the deadline are not eligible for consideration for Fall 2025.

  Step 4: TRANSCRIPTS
  Upload transcripts from any post-secondary school attended (preferably by December 1)

  • Because scanners vary in quality and output, please examine the pdf file you plan to submit to ensure your courses and grades are clearly visible.
  • Because transcripts need to be evaluated by Graduate Division before they are sent to the MBGP, upload the transcript(s) as soon as possible, and preferably by/before November 1 The MBIO program will not receive your application until the Graduate Divsion receives your official transcript is received.

  If, for some reason, an official transcript is difficult to secure in time to meet deadlines (e.g., cost, timing, etc.), we do allow unofficial transcripts to be uploaded to the Supplemental Materials Upload site and used for admissions review; however, applicants choosing to use an unofficial transcript must ensure the document shows both (a) the applicant's full name and (b) the name of the institution.

  • Processing delays will occur should Graduate Division find the data is missing and need to follow up with the applicant to ask for an official transcript.
  • The unofficial transcript may only be used for admissions review. Applicants who are offered admission will still need to have an official transcript sent directly to Graduate Division (or have an official e-transcript sent) from the institution(s) attended to be able to matriculate at UH
  Step 5: MBIO SURVEY
  Complete and submit the MBIO Applicant Survey

  The MBGP Applicant Survey is a required component of an application to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoaʻs Marine Biology Graduate Program for Fall 2025 admission.