Special Information about the California State (CSU) System
Campuses
This is the nation’s largest university system, with about 408,000 students and 45,000 faculty and staff. From North to South the CSU campuses are Humboldt, Chico, Sonoma State, Maritime, Sacramento, San Francisco, Hayward, San Jose, Stanislaus, Monterey Bay, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Northridge, Los Angeles, Dominguez Hills, Pomona, San Bernardino, Fullerton, Long Beach, San Marcos, San Diego State, Channel Islands and East Bay. Some campuses have majors that are impacted and have more stringent admission criteria.
Impacted Campuses as of 2004
San Diego State, Long Beach, Chico, SLO, Fullerton, Sonoma, Pomona, San Marcos
Subject Requirements
History/Social Science – 2 years required (1 year US History or ½ year History + ½ year American
Government; 1 year World History, cultures, and geography)
English – 4 years required
Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 recommended (up to Algebra 2)
Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 recommended
Language (other than English) – 2 years same language required, 3 recommended
Visual and Performing Arts – 1 year required (dance, drama, music, visual arts)
College Prep Electives – 1 year required (extra classes in the above areas can satisfy the elective
requirement)
Test Requirements
SAT or ACT – The UC system takes your best SAT Reasoning Test sitting; You cannot mix your best scores from separate dates. The composite ACT score is used; Use code 3594 and scores are sent to all campuses.
Eligibility Index
This index combines GPA with the test score so that approximately the top third of California high school graduates will qualify. Below a 2.0 cannot qualify.
Your CSU GPA
You self report your GPA to the CSU system using only 10th and 11th grade courses. This will later be verified when they ask for transcripts of accepted students. You must base this GPA on accredited courses that your high school will have a list of. Your high school will also know which ones are weighted using an extra point. Factor this into your GPA. This is called a weighted GPA, and is what they use. Do NOT send your transcript or have it sent when applying; they will ask for it later.
On-Line Only
Since the Fall of 2004, only on-line applications are accepted.
Letters of Recommendation
The CSUs do not accept letters of recommendation. Do NOT submit them!
Essays
The CSU’s have not generally required essays but this could change at any time.
Early Decision
Some campuses, such as SLO, offer Early Decision which is BINDING. You file between October 1 and October 31. You MUST attend if accepted.
Help With the CSU System
Visit their website at www.csumentor.edu