Senior Caroline Kikkawa is one of 10 recipients admitted into the Doctor of Medicine Early Acceptance Program for entering Hawaii freshmen.

Admittance into the program ensures scholarship coverage of undergraduate tuition for four years, participation in the Honors Program at UH Manoa, residence in on-campus housing, priority registration, training in  “cultural competencies in health professions,” regular academic advising and guidance, mentoring from the John A. Burns’ School of Medicine (JABSOM) faculty, engagement in community service and participation in either study abroad, National Student Exchange or UH Manoa’s Congressional Internship Program.

Applicants are required to be a resident of the state of Hawaii, have a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher, have a minimum SAT Score of 1800 and/or minimum ACT score of 27 and currently in-progress or have completed college preparatory classes of pre-calculus, biology, chemistry and physics. Other desirable qualities include Advanced Placement (AP) credits and demonstration of achievement in extracurricular or co-curricular activities. Applicants were also required to submit a curriculum vitae, transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Kikkawa had an interview on Dec. 20 and received notice of her acceptance in mid-March.

“I remember seeing the letter from JABSOM on my stairs, running upstairs while tearing open the letter and falling to the floor in shock upon reading my acceptance.  I cried and rendered myself incoherent due to utter disbelief,” said Kikkawa. “I would like to thank my parents for their tremendous contributions in my life.  Their unwavering support during all my trials and tribulations made it possible for me to prevail through my lowest points.  Without them, I most definitely would not be the recipient of acceptance to this program.”

Besides UH Manoa, Kikkawa also applied to Boston University, New York University, Brandeis University, Northeastern University, Creighton University, Fordham University, Saint Louis University and the University of San Francisco. She is excited for the school year to begin in fall 2014.

“While at UH, I hope to adequately prepare for medical school while also enjoying my college experience.”