Mānoa Advising Center (MAC)
Academic Advising Guide
Mānoa Advising Center (MAC)
Academic Advising Guide
The Mānoa Advising Center (MAC) is the academic advising office for all UH Mānoa undergraduate students in the Exploratory Program. If you’re still deciding on a major, MAC is here to help you explore your options, discover your interests and strengths, and find an academic path that fits your goals. Our advisors offer impartial guidance across all 15 colleges and schools at UH Mānoa, giving you a broad, cross-campus perspective. We’ll help you make informed decisions, complete your requirements, and stay on track as you prepare to declare or apply for your intended major.
About half of the undergraduate majors at UH Mānoa have specific requirements you need to meet before you can officially declare them. These may include completing certain prerequisite courses, maintaining a minimum GPA, or submitting a separate application. If you’re not yet eligible to declare your intended major, you may be placed in a related Exploratory Pathway to help you stay on track. For example, the Exploratory Business (EXB) pathway is designed for students working toward admission to the Shidler College of Business and its BBA majors, typically by junior year.
As an Exploratory student, you can choose from one of the following six pathways:
Exploratory (EX) (for students who are undecided or considering multiple pathways)
Exploratory Arts and Humanities (EXAH)
Exploratory Business (EXB)
Exploratory Health Sciences (EXHS)
Exploratory Social Sciences (EXSS)
Exploratory STEM (EXST)
MAC is relocating one floor up to QLC 212, where we’ll be sharing space with the Manoa Career Center. Please note that our hours and services will be temporarily adjusted during this transition. See below for more details:
March 2 – 6: Normal operations out of QLC 101, 9am-3pm
March 9 – 13: Virtual (Zoom) Appointments Only, 9am-3pm
March 16 – 20: Closed during Spring Break
March 23 – 27: Virtual (Zoom) Appointments Only, 9am-3pm
March 30: Tentative date to resume normal operations out of our new space, QLC 212.
This checklist includes essential items like setting up your UH username and email, submitting your health clearance forms and taking placement exams (if needed).
Each task is carefully designed to remove barriers that can delay your ability to register, access campus resources, or attend classes.
Completing the checklist early helps you avoid last-minute stress and ensures that you’re fully prepared to start your journey at UH Mānoa with confidence and support.
To help you get ready for your first semester at UH Mānoa, we strongly encourage you to watch the New Student Advising Modules. These short, easy-to-follow YouTube videos cover essential topics like how to use STAR GPS, register for classes, and connect with an academic advisor. Please complete these videos prior to your first academic advising appointment so you can come to the meeting prepared with any questions you may have. Taking a few minutes to go through each module will help you feel more confident and make the most of your advising experience.
✉️Advising Related Questions? Connect with MAC by Email!✉️
EMAIL: macadv@hawaii.edu
📨Email is the most effective way to connect with your MAC advisors, ask questions, or request support.
If you would like to reach a specific advisor, such as someone you recently spoke or met with, please include “Attn: [Advisor’s Name]” at the beginning of your subject line to help us direct your message quickly.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with an advisor, please see below.
Please visit the MAC Scheduling page for detailed information on how you can schedule an advising appointment.
As an Exploratory student, you may choose from one of six pathways:
Exploratory (EX) (for students considering majors across multiple areas)
Exploratory Arts and Humanities (EXAH)
Exploratory Business (EXB)
Exploratory Health Sciences (EXHS)
Exploratory Social Sciences (EXSS)
Exploratory STEM (EXST)
👉🏼Click Here to Declare/Update a Pathway!
The link above takes you to the UHM Office of the Registrar's "Declare/Update an Undergraduate Major/Minor/Certificate" form.
You will first select your current major or pathway and then be asked to select your new exploratory pathway.
After submission, please allow at least 5 business days for your new pathway to update in STAR.
Advising is a key part of your success as a MAC student! Visit the MAC website to learn about your mandatory advising requirements and options available to fulfill your requirement each semester.
Click here to learn about Spring 2026 manadatory advising options.
TRIO Student Support Services - personalized academic planning and advising, and other activities to support the retention and graduation of first-generation college students and those with high financial need.
Please visit our FAQs page for a variety of common advising related questions!