Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about the CMB Graduate Program. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact the Graduate Program Administrator at thordars@hawaii.edu.
To download a .pdf of the Frequently Asked Questions listed below: Frequently Asked Questions (rev. 2025)
Please have a look at our graduate program website.
The CMB MS program is a 2-year program.
There is a range of 4-6 years for graduation with a majority finishing around 5 years.
After a student on the Masters track passes their qualifying exam (written and oral), they have an option to transfer to the PhD track if they have identified a lab that will fund their research assistantship, and their mentor agrees to become their PhD advisor or they identify a new mentor who will fund their research assistantship.
This is a full-time, in-person on campus program. It is a daytime program.
No.
No, there is no age limit.
MS: March 15 for Fall admission, September 15 for Spring. PhD: December 15 for Fall (no Spring admission).
Please use the following link to apply: https://manoagraduate2025.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
No, we do not offer fee waivers. The University of Hawaii Graduate Division requires the application fee, and the CMB Graduate Program does not have the provision for application fee waivers. We understand that this may pose a challenge for some, and we truly appreciate your understanding of our current constraints.
The deadline for Fall is March 15 and September 15 for Spring. If you submit your application in full before the Dec 15 deadline, we will assess these MS applicants before the March 15th deadline. Applicants are not accepted on a rolling basis.
We don't have a priority consideration deadline for this program. To be considered, please be sure to have all of your documents submitted. This includes:
- CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of objectives
- Copy of transcript(s). Unofficial is adequate, but official ones must be sent to Graduate Admissions before enrollment.
See below for a brief description. The statement should be between 1 and 1.5 pages.
Yes, you can submit any supplementary material that will support your application. Remember to highlight them in the Statement of Objectives.
Over the past 3 years, the number of students entering the program has ranged from 5-8 students, including Master’s and PhD students.
Students who have research experience and publications.
No, we do not.
If you click on the CMB Graduate Faculty Directory tab, https://cmb.jabsom.hawaii.edu/graduate-program/faculty-directory.html, there is a list of our graduate faculty with their research interests. Research assistantship positions are dependent on faculty funding and space availability. For more information, contact faculty members whose research interests align with your interests.
No, acceptance is independent of having secured a research or teaching assistantship. Please refer to the funding section below.
No, the GRE test is optional but scoring well on the GRE exam can increase your competitiveness. GRE scores may also bolster your application if other components are borderline. We only expect results from the General GRE, and our institution Code is 4867.
Yes; however, you will need to provide official documentation once admission is granted.
No, you can submit your scores after the deadline.
We accept GRE scores that are within 5 years.
We will accept your MCAT scores but they are not required.
Yes, you can submit your MCAT scores as supplemental documents.
Funding – General
Further information on estimated costs can be found at: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/fas/cost/
You do not become a resident immediately upon moving to Hawaiʻi. The University of Hawaiʻi, like all public institutions of higher learning, has residency requirements for payment of resident tuition. Similar to those in other states, these requirements are complex. If possible, call 808-956-8975 or 1-800-823-9771 and ask for a residency counselor before you arrive in Hawaiʻi. There is a time sensitive component to the establishing of residency process. This time sensitive component will determine the earliest semester you could qualify for resident tuition status. However, with all this being said, full-time GAs, RAs or TAs do not pay tuition as they get tuition waivers. Further information can be found at: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/financing/residency.html
Funding – MS Students
Master’s students must find their own funding. To obtain tuition waivers, MS students must either obtain a teaching assistantship or find a lab that will sponsor them under a research assistantship. We have a list of graduate faculty on our website with whom you can inquire about possible funding. Occasionally, we receive announcements of other departments offering TAships which are shared with our students and accepted applicants.
Funding – PhD Students
A select group of first year PhD students are covered by the program. These students are compensated in their first year at NIH recommended pay levels. These GAships require three rotations, two must be within University of Hawaii Cancer Center member labs. We expect that all PhD students will complete their dissertation research in laboratories that can sponsor a research assistantship that may be occasionally substituted with a teaching assistantship.
Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the laboratory principal investigators (PI) regarding graduate research assistantships. A list of the CMB graduate program faculty can be found at:
https://cmb.jabsom.hawaii.edu/graduate-program/faculty-directory.html
See the following page for further information. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/recruitment-appointment/
For graduate students, the compensation that you will receive is based on your appointment. See the following page for more information, including the minimum step level.
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/compensation-tax-withholding/
Graduate assistantships (GA, RA, TA) provide a salary with medical benefits and a tuition waiver. GAs must serve for a minimum of three months to be eligible for health plan benefits.
Information for international graduate students can be found at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/international-students/
The application deadlines are the same for local, mainland, and international applicants.
PhD Fall applicants (no Spring admission): December 15
Master’s Fall applicants: March 15
Master’s Spring applicants: September 15
Yes, further information about English language requirements can be found at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/english-proficiency-exemption-eligibility/
Applicants are exempt from the English proficiency exams if they are native speakers of English or have received within the last five years a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree from an accredited/recognized college or university in the English Language Proficiency Exempt Countries.
Further information and a list of these countries can be found at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/english-proficiency-exemption-eligibility/
The Graduate Division website has much more information on graduate programs, admissions, financial support as well as information for current graduate students. Please visit: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/
The university has a Student Housing Services department that can assist you. Please see the following website for information. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/housing/
The university has a Financial Aid Services department that can assist you. Further information on financial aid can be found at: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/fas/