High school seniors who might not meet the minimum entrance requirements for the University of Hawaii at Manoa can get a second chance for admission through the university's College Opportunities Program.

Participants selected for the free summer program spend six weeks in the UH-Manoa dorms and are enrolled in classes to upgrade their academic and social skills.

Those who successfully complete the program are admitted to UH-Manoa and advance to COP's First-Year Academic Program in the fall semester.

“;Over the past 10 years, approximately 94 percent who passed the summer program successfully completed their first year at UH-Manoa,”;

said Michael H. Maglaya, COP director.

Room, board, textbooks and instructional expenses are covered by the university through state general funds and a portion of a federal native Hawaiian educational grant.

About 75 students were accepted last summer, and the program might be expanded this summer. Maglaya said the COP is a priority for the UH-Manoa administration and has not been affected by budget cuts.

Applications can be downloaded from the COP Web site at http://www.hawaii. edu/cop. The deadline for applications and supporting materials is Dec. 15.

Participants are selected through a screening process that includes a reading test, multiple interviews, high school academic background, SAT scores and letters of recommendation. Family income and whether the applicants are first-generation college students are also factors in the selection, Maglaya said.

Call 956-6186, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit the office at the Queen Liliuokalani Center, Room 308, 2600 Campus Road.