DAP Additional Documents

Application Portal: 

Shidler College of Business Freshman Direct Admit Program (Fall 2026)

Welcome! We’re excited that you’re applying for this exclusive opportunity to join the Fall 2026 Shidler College of Business Freshman Direct Program.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

To be considered, your application must include the two required essays listed below. You may also choose to upload your test scores, if applicable.

Applicants must be graduating from high school in May 2026 and enrolling at UH Mānoa as first-time freshmen. Students who have received or will receive college credit for Business Law may not be eligible. Please contact Penny Ching (pennylee@hawaii.edu) with any questions.

Please submit your test score(s) in PDF format.
Maximum 2 files.
10 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf.
Please provide your personal statement in PDF format.

To highlight your academic achievements, career goals, and motivations for pursuing a business degree, please respond to two of the five questions below:

1. Entrepreneurial / Innovative Spirit
Describe a moment when you challenged an existing way of thinking or operating — in school, work, or your community. What inspired you to take a different approach, and how did you gain support for your idea? What does this experience reveal about your capacity to lead change and create value in uncertain environments?

2. Global Perspective
Tell us about an encounter, experience, or project that changed how you understand the world beyond your own background. How did it shape the way you think about global interdependence, equity, or collaboration? How will this awareness influence how you engage in an international academic and business community?

3. Ethical Leadership
Reflect on a decision you made — big or small — that had ethical implications for yourself or others. How did you determine what was right, and what did you learn about the complexities of ethical leadership? How will you apply those lessons to lead responsibly in your future endeavors?

4. Adaptability & Resilience
Describe a situation where your initial plan didn’t go as expected, and you had to pivot or rethink your approach. How did you handle the setback, and what helped you move forward? How has this experience shaped your view of adaptability as a professional strength?

5. Innovation & Creativity
Share an example of when you used imagination, curiosity, or unconventional thinking to make an impact — whether through a new idea, design, or approach to problem-solving. What inspired your creativity, and how did you translate your vision into results? How do you see creativity playing a role in your future success?

 
Maximum 2 files.
10 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf.