Admission and Application

Requirements for admission to California State University San Marcos are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. Complete information is available at www.calstate.edu/apply.

Electronic versions of the CSUapplications for admission are accessible at www.calstate.edu/apply.

Applying online via www.calstate.edu/apply is expected unless electronic submission is impossible. An acknowledgement will be sent when an online applications have has been submitted. Application in “hard copy” form may be obtained online via www.calstate.edu/apply as a portable data format (PDF). Application forms (in PDF) may also be downloaded from www.calstate.edu/sas/publications. [Paper applications should be mailed to the campus admission office(s).]

Reservation

The University reserves the right to select its students and deny admission to the University or any of its programs at the University, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate based on an applicant’s suitability and the best interests of the University.

Importance of Filing Complete, Accurate, and Authentic Application Documents

California State University San Marcos advises prospective students that they must supply complete and accurate information on the application for admission, residency questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Further, applicants must, when requested, submit authentic and official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of registration or academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301, Article 1.1, Title 5, California Code of Regulations).

Admissions and Recruitment

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment offers a full array of services from the time of first contact until students register for their first semester.

All pre-enrollment services are housed in Cougar Central. Admissions and Recruitment is responsible for processing admission applications and for the evaluation of high school and transfer credits, but also offers a wide variety of services to prospective students who have not yet applied. Admissions information sessions, and campus tours are available to students seeking information about the University. Questions about majors offered, support services available, or the future development of the campus can also be addressed. In addition to the professional staff, the Pride Ambassadors are a group of continuing CSU San Marcos students who are available for these services.

Enrollment Management Services Operations/Registrar

The Office of EMS Operations/Registrar is responsible for registration, grade reporting, maintenance of the official academic record, name, address, and major changes, outgoing transcripts, incoming transcript evaluation, class rosters, enrollment verification, registration status, leaves of absence, and graduation processing. Application for services related to the above may be obtained from Cougar Central in Craven Hall. The official name, address, and major changes for a student must be requested in Cougar Central. All official academic records for students are maintained in EMS Operations/Registrar, including academic transcripts, academic status, degree information, grade changes, and petitions for exceptions to academic regulations.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements:

  1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination; and:
  2. Have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index (see section on Eligibility Index); and
  3. Have completed, with grades of C or better, in each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements, also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”).

Eligibility Index

The eligibility index is the combination of the high school grade point average and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements, and bonus points for approved honors courses.

Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the tenth grade, can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index (EI) can be calculated by multiplying a grade point average by 800 and adding your total score on the SAT exam (mathematics and critical reading on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the new SAT). For students who took the ACT, multiply the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. The university has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of the admissions tests in the computation of the CSU Eligibility Index. Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirement for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 2950 using the SAT.

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT) or 842 (ACT). Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirement for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 3970 using the SAT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

High School Students

High school students may be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended by the principal and the appropriate campus department chair, and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible California high school graduates. Such admission is only for a given specific program and does not constitute a right to continued enrollment.

Transfer Policies of CSU Campuses

Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency is accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer.

“Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at www.assist.org.

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses and any or all of the California community colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and CCC articulations may be found on www.assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution which does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the University from all sources.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Provisional Admission First-Time Freshman

California State University San Marcos may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned for the senior year. The campus will monitor the final two terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondary school studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school. Students are required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all course work has been satisfactorily completed. Official high school transcripts must be received prior to the deadline set by the University. In no case may documentation of high school graduation be received any later than the census date for a student’s first term of CSU enrollment. A campus may rescind admission decisions, cancel financial aid awards, withdraw housing contracts, and cancel any university registration for students who are found not to be eligible after the final transcript has been evaluated.

Eligibility Index Table for California High School Graduates or Residents of California

These NEW SAT Eligibility Index tables will be effective for the upcoming 2018 - 2019 admissions cycle

(A GPA of 3.00 and above qualifies for any score in SAT)

GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission

*For admissions purposes, the CSU uses only the new SAT scores for mathematics and evidence based on reading and writing.

Eligibility Index Table SAT Table - Non-Resident or Non-Graduates of California

These NEW SAT Eligibility Index tables will be effective for the upcoming 2018 - 2019 admissions cycle

(A GPA of 3.61 and above qualifies for any score in SAT)

GPA below 2.47 does not qualify for admission

*For admissions purposes, the CSU uses only the new SAT scores for mathematics and evidence based on reading and writing.

Eligibility Index Table

ACT Table - CA High School Graduates or Residents of California

(A GPA of 3.00 and above qualifies for any score in ACT)

GPA ACT SCORE GPA ACT SCORE GPA ACT SCORE
2.99 10 2.66 17 2.33 23
2.98 10 2.65 17 2.32 23
2.97 10 2.64 17 2.31 24
2.96 11 2.63 17 2.30 24
2.95 11 2.62 17 2.29 24
2.94 11 2.61 18 2.28 24
2.93 11 2.60 18 2.27 24
2.92 11 2.59 18 2.26 25
2.91 12 2.58 18 2.25 25
2.90 12 2.57 18 2.24 25
2.89 12 2.56 19 2.23 25
2.88 12 2.55 19 2.22 25
2.87 12 2.54 19 2.21 26
2.86 13 2.53 19 2.20 26
2.85 13 2.52 19 2.19 26
2.84 13 2.51 20 2.18 26
2.83 13 2.50 20 2.17 26
2.82 13 2.49 20 2.16 27
2.81 14 2.48 20 2.15 27
2.80 14 2.47 20 2.14 27
2.79 14 2.46 21 2.13 27
2.78 14 2.45 21 2.12 27
2.77 14 2.44 21 2.11 28
2.76 15 2.43 21 2.10 28
2.75 15 2.42 21 2.09 28
2.74 15 2.41 22 2.08 28
2.73 15 2.40 22 2.07 28
2.72 15 2.39 22 2.06 29
2.71 16 2.38 22 2.05 29
2.70 16 2.37 22 2.04 29
2.69 16 2.36 23 2.03 29
2.68 16 2.35 23 2.02 29
2.67 16 2.34 23 2.01 30
2.00 30
GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission

Eligibility Index Table

ACT Table - Non-Resident or Non-Graduates of California

(A GPA of 3.61 and above qualifies for any score in ACT)

GPA ACT SCORE GPA ACT SCORE GPA ACT SCORE
3.60 13 3.21 20 2.82 28
3.59 13 3.20 21 2.81 28
3.58 13 3.19 21 2.80 29
3.57 13 3.18 21 2.79 29
3.56 13 3.17 21 2.78 29
3.55 14 3.16 21 2.77 29
3.54 14 3.15 22 2.76 29
3.53 14 3.14 22 2.75 30
3.52 14 3.13 22 2.74 30
3.51 14 3.12 22 2.73 30
3.50 15 3.11 22 2.72 30
3.49 15 3.10 23 2.71 30
3.48 15 3.09 23 2.70 31
3.47 15 3.08 23 2.69 31
3.46 15 3.07 23 2.68 31
3.45 16 3.06 23 2.67 31
3.44 16 3.05 24 2.66 31
3.43 16 3.04 24 2.65 32
3.42 16 3.03 24 2.64 32
3.41 16 3.02 24 2.63 32
3.40 17 3.01 24 2.62 32
3.39 17 3.00 25 2.61 32
3.38 17 2.99 25 2.60 33
3.37 17 2.98 25 2.59 33
3.36 17 2.97 25 2.58 33
3.35 18 2.96 25 2.57 33
3.34 18 2.95 26 2.56 33
3.33 18 2.94 26 2.55 34
3.32 18 2.93 26 2.54 34
3.31 18 2.92 26 2.53 34
3.30 19 2.91 26 2.52 34
3.29 19 2.90 27 2.51 34
3.28 19 2.89 27 2.50 35
3.27 19 2.88 27 2.49 35
3.26 19 2.87 27 2.48 35
3.25 20 2.86 27 2.47 35
3.24 20 2.85 28 2.46 35
3.23 20 2.84 28 2.45 36
3.22 20 2.83 28
GPA below 2.45 does not qualify for admission

Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school.

The California Promise

The California Promise Program enables a specific number of campuses of the California State University (CSU) to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in 4 years. All campuses have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in 2 years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California.

Students who commit to enter either the 4-year or 2-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units of quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating campuses may stipulate other important requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU in the fall 2017 term should contact the campus offices or visit www.calstate.edu/sas/california-promise.

Foreign Language Subject Requirement

The Foreign Language Subject Requirement may be satisfied by applicants who demonstrate competence in a language, other than English, equivalent to or higher than expected of students who complete two years of foreign language study. Consult with your school counselor or any CSU campus’ Admissions Office for further information.

Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements if at all possible. If an applicant is judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of his or her disability, alternate college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subject requirements. Substitutions may be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by the applicant’s academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with the Director of Disabled Student Services. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions will still be held for 15 units of college preparatory study. Students should be aware that course substitutions may limit later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. Further information can be obtained from the Director of Disabled Student Services.

Undergraduate Transfer Applicants

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.

  1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (grade point average and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements” section); or
  2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

  1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
  2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
  3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted;
  2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and
  3. Completed at least sixty (60) transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade C or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses, which meet CSU general education requirement including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning* (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

*CSUSM currently recognizes a statistics course taken outside of the CSU system and the California Community Colleges as satisfying the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning if the course is certified by a California community college or has an explicit intermediate algebra prerequisite.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T OR AS-T)

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide California Community College students a clear transfer preparation and admission pathway to those CSU degree majors deemed similar. Those students who complete these transfer degrees and who are admitted to a similar CSU major program or option for that discipline will be able to complete the Baccalaureate Degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units providing that all remaining required courses are completed successfully without a break in attendance and providing that no supplemental courses for minors or areas of emphasis are undertaken.

California Community College students who earn an associate degree for transfer (AA T or AS T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the California State University but not to any particular campus or program. Because several CSU campuses are receiving more transfer applications from eligible students than can be accommodated, these campuses have declared impaction resulting in higher admission criteria. See more on impaction at www.calstate.edu/SAS/impactioninfo.shtml. However, transfer students who earn the AA T or AS T degrees, are given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a non-impacted CSU campus or to a non-impacted program from a community college within the local admission area of the campus. These students are also given priority admission consideration when applying from a community college that is outside the local admission area of an impacted CSU campus or when applying to a similar program that is impacted at any CSU campus. A current list of CSU degree programs that have been deemed similar to the associate degrees for transfer can be found at www.calstate.edu/transfer/adt-search.

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission.

Provisional Admission Transfer Applicants

California State University San Marcos may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college-level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found not to be eligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the University any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score or the mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores on the new SAT in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Adult Students

As an alternative to regular admission criteria, an applicant who is 25 years of age or older may be considered for admission as an adult student if he or she meets all of the following conditions:

  1. Possesses a high school diploma (or has established equivalence through either the General Educational Development or California High School Proficiency Examinations).
  2. Has not been enrolled in college as a full-time student for more than one term during the past five years.
  3. If there has been any college attendance in the last five years, has earned a C average or better in all college work attempted.

Consideration will be based upon a judgment as to whether the applicant is as likely to succeed as a regularly admitted freshman or transfer student and will include an assessment of basic skills in the English language and mathematical computation.

Other Applicants

An applicant not admitted under the provisions cited in this catalog should consider enrollment at another appropriate institution. Only under the most unusual circumstances will such applicants be permitted to enroll in the University. Permission is granted only by special action of the University.

International Student Admission Requirements

The California State University must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, international students include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students or exchange visitors or in other nonimmigrant classification.

The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on the English Language Requirement for under graduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are each important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least four weeks before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations. Complete information can be found at www.csusm.edu/global/.

Insurance Requirement

Effective August 1, 1995, all F 1 and J 1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and for continued enrollment in the CSU. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the California State University System. Information about required coverage and which insurance policies meet these criteria may be obtained from the Office of Global Education.

Returning Students

Undergraduate students in good standing may re enroll in the University after an absence of one term by notifying Records & Registration, (760) 750 4814, or email to registrar@csusm.edu (see Out One Term ).

The application for admission and fee of $55 are required if the student was not enrolled in any of the two terms (not including summer) prior to the term for which the student is seeking admission, or if the student was enrolled in another institution during the absence from CSU San Marcos (see Leave of Absence ). Returning students who must reapply must be fully eligible as an upper division transfer student before they will be admitted to CSU San Marcos. Students must reapply through www.calstate.edu/apply during the following period for the semester they plan to attend.

Fall semester: October 1 - November 30
Spring semester: August 1 - August 31

Students should send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions & Recruitment from all schools attended since their last semester at CSU San Marcos.

Readmission of Previously Disqualified Students

Students who have been academically disqualified must submit a Petition for Reinstatement and may be required to reapply for admission. The petition for reinstatement, as well as important deadlines and instructions, can be found online.

Intrasystem and Intersystem Enrollment Programs

Fully matriculated students enrolled at any CSU campus have access to courses at other CSU campuses on a space available basis unless those campuses/programs are impacted. This access is offered without students being required to be formally admitted to the host campus and in most cases without paying additional fees. Students should consult their home campus academic advisors to determine how such courses may apply to their specific degree programs before enrolling at the host campus.

There are two programs for enrollment within the CSU and one for enrollment between CSU and the University of California or California Community Colleges. Additional information about these programs is available from the Office of Enrollment Services.

CSU Fully Online Courses – Matriculated students in good standing may request enrollment in one course per term, offered by a CSU host campus. Enrollment requests will be granted based on available space, as well as completion of any stated prerequisites. Credit earned at the host campus is electronically reported to the student’s home campus to be included on the student’s transcript at the home campus.

CSU Visitor Enrollment – Matriculated students in good standing enrolled at one CSU campus may enroll at another CSU campus for one term. Credit earned at the host campus is reported at the student’s request to the home campus to be included on the student’s transcript at the home campus.

Intersystem Cross Enrollment – Matriculated CSU, UC, or community college students may enroll on a “space available” basis for one course per term at another CSU, UC, or community college and request that a transcript of record be sent to the home campus.

There are two programs for enrollment within the CSU and one for enrollment between CSU and the University of California or California Community Colleges. Additional information about these programs is available from the Office of Registration and Records.

CSU Concurrent Enrollment

CSU Visitor Enrollment — matriculated students in good standing enrolled at one CSU campus may enroll on a space-available basis at another CSU campus for one term. Credit earned at the host campus is reported at the student’s request to the home campus to be included on the student’s transcript at the home campus.

Intersystem Cross Enrollment — matriculated CSU, UC, or community college students may enroll on a space-available basis for one course per term at another CSU, UC, or community college and request that a transcript of record be sent to the home campus.

Admission to Teaching Credential Programs

Admission to the University as a student does not constitute admission to a teaching credential program, and vice-versa. Students must be admitted to both in order to enroll in classes. Students who intend to work toward the Multiple or Single Subject Credential must also apply for admission to the credential program. For details regarding the admission requirements, please refer to the School of Education section.

Post-baccalaureate students must file official transcripts with both the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and the School of Education if they plan to enter a credential program. Students must include transcripts from each college attended (including extension, correspondence, summer session, or evening courses).

Second Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements

Students who have a previous bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may apply to receive a second bachelor’s degree (on a space-available basis). Applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.5, or a grade point average of 2.5 in the last 60 units attempted. Due to campus enrollment demands, enrollment of students seeking a second bachelor’s degree may be limited to majors designated as “areas of critical need” by the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Please note that students may not receive a second bachelor’s degree by taking a second concentration within a previous degree program.

Undergraduate Application Procedures

Prospective students applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study must submit a completed undergraduate application. The $55 nonrefundable application fee should be paid on-line at the time of application via credit card, e-check, or PayPal and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. An alternate major may be indicated on the application. The applications of persons denied admission to an impacted campus may be re-routed to another campus at no cost, but only if the applicant is CSU eligible.

Application Filing Periods

(Not all campuses/programs are open for admission to every term)

Each non-impacted campus accepts applications until capacities are reached. Many campuses limit undergraduate admission in an enrollment category due to overall enrollment limits. If applying after the initial filing period, consult the campus admission office for current information. Similar information is conveniently available at: www.calstate.edu/apply.

Undergraduates are encouraged to apply during the initial filing period to facilitate the campus’ early review and response. If applying after the initial filing period, the student should consult with the Office of Admissions for current information.

Semester/Session

Terms Applications First Accepted
Summer February 1
Fall October 1
Winter June 1
Spring August 1

Application Acknowledgement

On-time applicants may expect to receive an acknowledgment from the campuses to which they have applied within two to four weeks of filing the application. The notice may also include a request that applicants submit additional records necessary to evaluate academic qualifications. Applicants may be assured of admission if the evaluation of relevant qualifications indicates that applicants meet CSU admission requirements, and in the case of admission impaction, supplemental criteria for admission to an impacted program. Unless specific written approval/confirmation is received, an offer of admission is not transferable to another term or to another campus.

Notification of Admission

Applicants who have received an application acknowledgment and have submitted all required admission materials will begin to receive admission decisions electronically. If the processing schedule permits, some applicants may be notified in advance of these dates.

Cancellation of Admission

Admission will be cancelled automatically if a student who received a notice of admission for a given semester does not register for that semester. If the student wishes to undertake studies at the University at a later date, the student must file a new application, pay a new application fee, and meet the current admission requirements.

Materials supporting the application for admission, such as transcripts and entrance examination scores, are retained for one year only. Additional documentation will be required of studies done in the interim to complete the student’s application file.

Filing Official Transcripts

Applicants must file the following official transcripts with the Office of Admissions:

  1. Freshmen – May be required to submit seventh semester high school transcripts prior to graduation but must send final official transcripts with graduation date listed by July 15 for Fall admission.
  2. Transfers – Request official transcripts be sent directly from all colleges or universities previously attended (even if no coursework was completed at the time of application). Transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes from each institution attended. Official score reports from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or CLEP, or CLEP exams must also be submitted. Applicants should keep personal copies of all transcripts and test scores to complete the admission application and for academic advising sessions. Applicants may be asked to submit high school transcripts if admissibility cannot be determined on the basis of college or university transcripts. Final official transcrips must be received by July 15 for Fall admission.
  3. Photocopy of the military separation form DD-214, evaluation of military training form DD-295, or SMART transcript if applicant wants transfer credit for active military service.

A transcript will be considered official and accepted to meet the regulations governing admission only if forwarded directly to California State San Marcos by the institution attended, or if delivered to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment in an original sealed, official envelope. Transcripts or documents labeled “Unofficial” are not accepted. All records or transcripts received by the University become the property of the university and will not be released to a third party.

Student Identification Numbers

Students enrolled at CSUSM will be issued a unique student identification number. This number will be used on all forms, identification cards, petitions, class rosters, and University records. It will be utilized for all student services and campus transactions.

Use of Social Security Number

Applicants are required to include their correct Social Security numbers in designated places on applications for admission pursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6109). The University uses the Social Security number to identify students and their records including identification for purposes of financial aid eligibility and disbursement and the repayment of financial aid and other debts payable to the institution. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires the University to file information returns that include the student’s Social Security number and other information, such as the amount paid for qualified tuition, related expenses, and interest on educational loans. This information is used by the IRS to help determine whether a student, or a person claiming a student as a dependent, may take a credit or deduction to reduce federal income taxes.

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. Or, students may write to or call:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541 6200
(609) 771 7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337 1270
www.act.org

Undergraduate English Language Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 61 or above on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score no lower than 19 on the Writing section, and no section score below 14.

Alternatively, applicants may present a score of 500 or above on the paper-based TOEFL, or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.5 or above.

Individual degree programs may require a higher score.

Systemwide Placement Test Requirements

The CSU requires that each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. These examinations are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring college entry-level English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics must complete all remediation in their first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of the first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms.

Students register for the EPT (www.csuenglishsuccess.org/ept) and/or ELM (www.csumathsuccess.org/elm_exam). Campus may establish deadlines by which new students must register for and/or take placement exams as a requirement for enrollment.

For more information about EPT and ELM exams, see EPT and ELM Exams .

English Placement Test (EPT)

The English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of students entering the California State University. The CSU EPT must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 147 or above on the EPT will be placed in college-level composition classes.

Exemptions from the EPT are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following: