Navigating Cal State Admission: GPA and Requirements Explained
Gaining admission to a California State University (CSU) campus is a significant step toward higher education. Understanding the GPA requirements and other admission criteria is crucial for prospective students. This article provides a detailed overview of the GPA requirements for admission to CSU campuses, with a focus on Cal State Los Angeles (CSULA) and other CSU institutions.
Understanding Cal State Los Angeles Admission
For students aspiring to attend Cal State Los Angeles, it's essential to understand the university's admission landscape.
Acceptance Rate at Cal State Los Angeles
The acceptance rate at Cal State Los Angeles is 91.3%, indicating that it is a nearly open admissions school. This means that the university accepts nearly all students who apply, making it relatively easier to get in compared to more selective institutions. However, meeting the minimum requirements is still essential for admission.
GPA Requirements for Cal State Los Angeles
While Cal State Los Angeles accepts below-average students, the GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in.
Standardized Testing Policies
Cal State Los Angeles hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them.
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Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Cal State Los Angeles will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.
SAT Score Analysis for Cal State Los Angeles
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. The 25th percentile SAT score is 850, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1045.
Cal State Los Angeles utilizes a process known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Cal State Los Angeles will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore.
Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Cal State Los Angeles forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 850, it is strongly recommended that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on.
ACT Score Analysis for Cal State Los Angeles
The average ACT score at Cal State Los Angeles is 18. The 25th percentile ACT score is 16, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 24.
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When you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 16 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can.
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore.
Essay Section
Cal State Los Angeles considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.
Overall Admission Strategy for Cal State Los Angeles
To be safe, you should aim for a 850 SAT or a 16 ACT or higher.
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
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Additional Resources for Cal State Los Angeles Applicants
Visit the New Freshman Admits page for your next steps and key deadlines.
If you’re admitted, you’ll need to confirm your spot by submitting the non-refundable $100 Enrollment Confirmation Deposit (ECD). The ECD goes toward your tuition as part of the State University Fee.
General CSU Admission Requirements
The California State University (CSU) system has specific requirements for first-time freshmen, including GPA, course requirements, and graduation standards.
GPA Requirements for CSU
Student must receive a minimum A-G GPA of 2.5 or higher for California residents or graduates of California high schools (3.0 for non-California residents).
A-G Requirements
Students must complete all A-G college preparatory coursework with grades of C- or better. For Fall 2022, A-G coursework with a Pass/Credit taken during Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall 2020 terms and during Winter, Spring or Summer 2021 terms will be considered to fulfill A-G requirements.
You can utilize UC Doorways to review if the courses you completed in high school meet the A-G requirements.
A-G Course Subject Requirements
The A-G requirements, also called Academic Subject Requirements, represent the minimum academic preparation you must meet to be eligible for admission to the California State University (CSU) system. These include:
- History and Social Science (2 years required):
- 1 year of US History
- 1 semester of Civics or American Government
- 1 year of Social Science
- English (4 years of college preparatory English Composition and Literature)
- Mathematics (4 years is recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
- Laboratory Science (including 1 life science and 1 physical science)
- Language Other than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable)
- Visual and Performing Arts (1 year-long course from approved courses in Visual Art, Dance, Drama/Theater or Music. May also complete two semester-long courses from the same discipline)
- College Preparatory Elective (May be selected from the A-G or other approved college preparatory "A-G" courses)
Total Required Subjects: 15
Multi-Factor Admissions
California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has implemented a multi-factor admissions review process to evaluate First-Time, First-Year applicants whose GPA fall between 2.0 - 2.49. Below is a list of the supplemental factors CSUDH will use to evaluate students with an A-G GPA between 2.0 - 2.49 with the most significant weight/consideration given to GPA:
- Additional A-G coursework and GPA
- Educational Partnership Programs
- Service Area High Schools
- First Generation
- Household Income
- Foster Youth
- Extracurricular Involvement
- Institutional Commitment Faculty Partnerships
- Employment (5 hours or more a week)
Application Checklist and Tips
- Unofficial Transcripts: On your application, you’ll be asked to enter all the courses you’ve completed, in-progress, or plan to take. Admission decisions are based on self-reported information from your application and if needed, we’ll request official transcripts.
- Social Security Number: If you have a US Social Security Number, you are required to include it on the admission application.
- Annual Income: To determine if you qualify for an application fee waiver, you will be asked to enter your parents’ income. If you are an independent student, you must provide information about your household and income.
- Payment Method: If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, a $70 non-refundable application fee must be paid with a credit or debit card at the time of application submission.
Additional Information for CSU Applicants
In March 2022, the CSU removed the SAT and ACT tests from the undergraduate admissions processes Students are recommended to submit their scores only for placement purposes but are not needed for admissions purposes.
All initial admissions decisions are based on a students’ self-reported information provided on Cal State Apply.
A-G coursework must be graded and receive a grade of C- or better to satisfy the A-G requirements.
Students whose native language is not English or do not have three years (full-time) of secondary education (or higher) taught in English will need to provide proof of English proficiency.
Application Tips for First-Time, First-Year Students
- How to Find Your High School: Accurately finding your high school(s) from the list of available schools in the Cal State Apply application is very important. Doing so will ensure a smoother application process by making it easier for you to complete the High School Coursework section.
- High School Coursework: To learn how to enter your high school coursework in the Academic History section, review the High School Coursework Instructions.
- Entering College Coursework and Matching to A-G Requirements: To use a college course to fulfill an A-G requirement for First-Time, First-Year (freshman) admission, you must make sure to assign the correct A-G subject category to the college course.
- Check your Calculated High School GPA: To view the Calculated GPA based on your entered high school coursework, check the A-G Subject Totals box in the A-G Matching area of the Academic History section of the Cal State Apply Application.
Additional CSU Requirements and Considerations
- Each CSU may have different criteria and will evaluate admission differently for the first year, first time (freshmen) students. Please check with each campus that you are considering applying to.
- Similar to the academic criteria, we use self-reported information from your application. If the items cannot be determined from your transcript, we may verify with your high school or request supporting documentation.
- Pass/Credit grades will be accepted for only the terms disrupted by COVID 19 (Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021). Such grades will not be calculated into your overall GPA but will be counted as satisfying the specific course requirement. Please note, additional terms may be added.
- Advanced placement (A.P.) and honors courses will continue to earn extra GPA points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (I.B.) and Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points. No more than two approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points.
- Yes, you may submit such test scores. However, it will NOT be used for admission purposes.
Cal Poly Pomona Specifics
To be considered for admissions to Cal Poly Pomona, all applicants must meet the minimum CSU eligibility requirements.
Advanced placement (AP) and honors courses will continue to earn extra GPA points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in the last three years of high school. No more than two approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. Extra points are also awarded for college courses used to meet CSU "A-G" requirements.
Transfer Admission Requirements
Transfer students are eligible for admission to CSUDH if they meet the following requirements:
- Have completed 6 transferable semester units (8 quarter units) of general education courses, graded C- or better in each course including:
- Have completed 1 course of 3 semester (4 quarter) units in written communication
- Have completed 1 course of 3 semester (4 quarter) units in mathematics/quantitative reasoning. The mathematics course must be above the level of intermediate algebra.
- Have achieved an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or better in all transferable college units attempted. This GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted.
- Be in good standing at the last college or university attended (i.e. eligible to re-enroll at that college or university).
How to Begin the Application Process
- Submit your University Admission application via Cal State Apply with application fee.
- Submit official transcripts of all the schools you have attended.
- Student may also submit GE Certification. (Optional, but highly recommended)
Additional CSU Information
Because of the pandemic, all California State University campuses, are adjusting some requirements. The college preparatory subject requirements-known as “A to G” in California-are below. You'll need to have completed these courses (or their equivalents if out-of-state) with a grade of C minus (C-) or better. Because of the pandemic, any credit/pass grades that you earned for A to G courses you took in winter 2020 through summer 2021 will be accepted as satisfying this requirement.
All California State University (CSU) campuses use the eligibility index as part of the first-time freshman admissions decision. A minimum Eligibility Index higher than 2500 may be required depending on your chosen major.
Transfer Student Application Process
Here’s what to expect when applying to Cal State LA as a transfer student:
- Choose a Major: You must declare a major when applying - no changes after submission. Review degree and admission requirements for your intended major before applying.
- Submit Your Application: Apply online at Cal State Apply.
- Update Your Coursework (Fall Only): Fall Applicants: In January, you’ll need to update your academic record to include Fall grades and Spring enrollment. Spring Applicants: No update needed. Just be ready to submit official transcripts if offered admission.
- Submit Official Transcripts (If Admitted): Admission is based on your self-reported information. If admitted, you must:
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Lower-division admits must also submit a high school transcript
- Meet the terms of your offer - decisions may be withdrawn if info was incorrect or if deadlines are missed
Additional Requirements
ADT Students: Must verify you're on track to complete your degree by Spring (for Fall) or Summer (for Spring).
AP/CLEP/IB test takers: Send official scores (other colleges’ credit doesn’t transfer).
Freshman Applicant Definition
A freshman applicant is a student who has graduated from (or is still in) high school and has not earned any college grades beyond the end of summer immediately following high school graduation or who has not earned any college credit.
Non-Resident Requirements
The three factors used to determine the admissibility of nonresident students are the same as those used for California residents.
Nonresident students need to complete the same pattern of courses but must hold a higher grade point average (GPA).
High School Course Requirements
The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area.
Waiver of “Language Other Than English” Requirement
If you can demonstrate competency in a language other than English that is equivalent to or higher than that expected of students who have completed two years of language other than English study, you may be allowed a waiver for this language requirement.
Making Up Missing Courses
If you didn't take all the required high school courses or earned D or F grades in some of them, you have several options to make up these courses and qualify for CSU admission.You can complete appropriate high school courses with a grade of C or better either in summer school or in adult school.
Admissions Appeals For Students With Disabilities
All students must be able to meet the academic, accreditation and technical standards required for admission or participation in their chosen program of study. Students with disabilities, therefore, are not excused from course prerequisites, GPA requirements or degree requirements.
Grades in "a-g" Courses
The grades you earn in high school are the most important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.
First-time freshmen must earn a qualifying “a-g” grade point average (GPA) as described below.
California residents and graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater “a-g” GPA.
Supplemental Factors
Campuses will use a combination of students' “a-g" GPA and supplemental factors to determine admission eligibility. Supplemental Factors that campuses may use include:
- Number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements
- GPA in math and or science courses
- Household income
- Extracurricular and leadership involvement
- Educational program participation in high school
- Other available information that would inform the campus admission decision
Graduation from High School
To be eligible for admission to the CSU, applicants must have graduated from high school and earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
Honors Courses
The CSU assigns extra points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in the last three years of high school.
CSULB Specifics
To be considered for first-time, first-year admission to CSULB, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Complete each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C or higher prior to high school graduation.
- Graduate from high school by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment.
- Have a minimum CSULB Index to be considered. The CSULB Index is the result of a formula that combines your achievement in high school college preparatory courses.
- Applicants who meet the minimum CSULB criteria above will be considered based on their intended major.
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