Office of Admissions
Admissions 
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Have Been Admitted
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
I Have Been Admitted
General Admission Questions
Freshman Admission Questions
Transfer Admission Questions
I Have Been Admitted - General Questions
- How do I let SDSU know I plan to attend?
- When do I need to send my final transcripts?
- How long does it take to process transcripts?
- While in high school, I was concurrently enrolled in a college course. Do I need to have the college provide a transcript even though the course grade appears on my high school transcript?
- Do I still have to submit college transcripts if the courses I took were not academic courses?
- I attended two different high schools. Do I need to provide transcripts from both schools?
- Why am I admitted as a premajor? What does it mean to be in the premajor?
- May I defer my admittance to another term?
- What immunization shots are required?
- What do I need to gain residency?
- How can I register for New Student Orientation?
- What happens if I don’t pass a class that I need as an admission requirement?
- Do I have to take any placement exams?
- How does registration work?
- How does attending New Student Orientation affect my registration date?
- How do I know which classes to take?
- What is the TOEFL and why do I need to take it?
- Now that I’ve been admitted, how can I declare my double major or my minor?
- I applied in one major, but I’ve changed my mind. How do I change my major?
- Is it possible to get the classes I want/need and graduate in 4 years?
- How can I appeal my application status?
I Have Been Admitted - General Questions and Answers
- How do I let SDSU know I plan to attend?
- When do I need to send my final transcripts?
- How long does it take to process transcripts?
- While in high school, I was concurrently enrolled in a college course. Do I need to have the college provide a transcript even though the course grade appears on my high school transcript?
- Do I still have to submit college transcripts if the courses I took were not academic courses?
- I attended two different high schools. Do I need to provide transcripts from both schools?
- Why am I admitted as a premajor? What does it mean to be in the premajor?
- May I defer my admittance to another term?
- What immunization shots are required?
- What do I need to gain residency?
- How can I register for New Student Orientation?
- What happens if I don’t pass a class that I need as an admission requirement?
- Do I have to take any placement exams?
- How does registration work?
- How does attending New Student Orientation affect my registration date?
- How do I know which classes to take?
- What is the TOEFL and why do I need to take it?
- Now that I’ve been admitted, how can I declare my double major or my minor?
- I applied in one major, but I’ve changed my mind. How do I change my major?
- Is it possible to get the classes I want/need and graduate in 4 years?
- How can I appeal my application status?
To accept your offer of admission and reserve your place in the fall 2008 class, you must submit the Intent to Enroll $250 deposit through the WebPortal and you must submit your official transcripts and test scores to the SDSU Office of Admissions no later than May 1, 2008. If all of the items are not sent by May 1, 2008 it will be assumed that you do not plan to attend SDSU, and your space will be made available to another applicant.
If you are admitted, you will be asked to submit an Intent to Enroll $250 deposit and official copies of your test scores and transcripts with fall 2007 grades by May 1, 2008. Freshmen also need to submit transcripts reflecting spring term grades separately by July 15, 2008. Transfers need to submit transcripts reflecting spring term grades by June 30, 2008.
It typically takes 10-14 days to process transcripts and post the information to the WebPortal.
Yes. College courses listed on high school transcripts will not be considered official. A separate college transcript must be sent for any type of college course taken during high school.
Yes. Official transcripts are required from all high schools and colleges you previously attended even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) were non-academic or not applicable to your college major.
Yes. Official transcripts are required from all high schools and colleges you previously attended even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) were non-academic or not applicable to your college major.
Many SDSU majors are designated as impacted, meaning they have more students wanting to declare that major than can be accommodated. A list of impacted majors is available on the SDSU Office of Advising and Evaluations Web site. At the time of admission to the university, each undergraduate student is assigned to a premajor or major field or curriculum, or is designated as an undeclared major.
No. Offers of admission are only for the term you applied for in the CSUMentor application.
SDSU requires all students show proof of immunization against or immunity to measles, rubella and hepatitis B. Specifically, all new and readmitted students born on or after January 1, 1957 are required to show proof of immunization against or immunity to measles (Rubeola) and rubella (German Measles) within their first semester. First-time enrollees age 18 and under are also required to show proof of immunization against or immunity to hepatitis B within their first semester. For additional information, call (619) 594-HEALTH (4325) or visit the Student Health Services Web site.
To be eligible for resident classification, an adult applicant (a student who is 19 years of age or older on the residency determination date) must have established and maintained permanent residence in California at least one year prior to the residence determination date. Residency determination of minor students (a student who is under the age of 19 on the residency determination date) and applicants is based on the residency status of their parents. Proof of residence requires evidence of both physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in California at least one year before the residence determination date. In addition, other rules and exceptions apply. The SDSU residence determination dates are September 20 for fall and January 25 for spring each year. More information can be found on the SDSU Office of the Registrar Web site.
Registration information for New Student Orientation will be sent to you via the e-mail and mailing addresses you have on file with your SDSU WebPortal. You may also check the New Student Orientation Web site for orientation information as it becomes available. Reservations for specific orientation dates can be made online beginning May 2, 2008. In addition to orientation, admitted students are also invited to attend Explore SDSU Open House on March 15, 2008.
Admission decisions are based on self-reported information from your application. The SDSU Office of Admissions will verify your reported information upon receiving your official transcripts and test scores. All courses required for admission must be passed with an acceptable grade and you must also maintain the grade point average reported on your application. If you have not met our requirements as expected, SDSU may withdraw the offer of admission.
Yes. There are two tests new freshman students are required to take before being allowed to register for classes at any California State University (CSU) campus. These tests are the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) and English Placement Test (EPT). You may have already satisfied these requirements through your SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement test scores or with certain transfer courses.
Transfer students must demonstrate competency in writing skills at the upper division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree within the California State University System. At SDSU, the Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) is used to assess that competency. Transfer students are eligible to take the WPA once they have received an offer of admission. Transfers must take the examination during their first semester at SDSU. Important dates and online registration for tests held at SDSU are available on the Student Testing, Assessment and Research Web site.
Beginning in late May, you will receive a postcard in the mail alerting you that your registration information is available in your WebPortal account. Once in your Portal account, you can access “My Registration,” which will provide you with information about your fees, fee payment options, and any registration holds. You will also find the class schedule and Student Information Handbook at this site. Registration fees are normally due a few weeks before your registration date. When it is your time to register, you will log on to the WebPortal and add the classes you wish to take.
First-time freshmen and transfers who attend New Student Orientation will be able to register for fall classes the next business day after orientation, providing your fees are paid and holds are cleared. This early registration gives you a wider selection of courses from which to choose. Students who attend the two-day orientation will register for classes at orientation. Those students who attend the Northern California orientation will be assigned a new time on the second business day following orientation. In order to take advantage of early registration, first-time freshmen must pay all fees and clear any registration holds two weeks prior to attending orientation.
At New Student Orientation, you will receive a personal information sheet and Major Academic Plan (MAP) that will help you identify what courses you need and which General Education courses will also fulfill major preparation course requirements. MAPs also suggest sequencing to ensure that you complete prerequisites for an upper-division course prior to taking the higher-level course. MAPs can be found at the MAPs Web site. You can also use the WebPortal to navigate the course requirements for your major.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants who attended high school outside of the United States in a country where English is not the primary language of instruction. The TOEFL requirement can be waived if you have completed at least one of following:
(a) Earned "B" or higher grades in General Education Written Communication AND Critical Thinking courses;
(b) Received an SAT Critical Reading score of 550 or higher, or ACT English score 24 or higher;
(c) Received an English Placement Test (EPT) score of 151 or higher; or
(d) Received an AP English exam score of 3 or higher.
After registration, all students wishing to change their major or curriculum should check with the department of their intended major for requirements and filing periods. The "Declaration of Major or Minor" form is available in person from the Office of the Registrar, Office of Advising and Evaluations, or the department of your new major. You will need to complete the student information portion of the form and take it to the department of the major or minor you wish to declare. They will fill out the rest of the information and provide you with the major code. Then return the form to the Office of the Registrar to complete the change.
Prior to registering for classes, freshmen applicants may send an e-mail to the SDSU Office of Admissions at admissions@sdsu.edu requesting a change of major. Freshmen applicants must include their full name, RedID number and the new major. Please note that requests for a change to an Undeclared or Music and Dance major will not be granted. Transfer applicants must submit a letter of appeal requesting the change of major. The one-page appeal letter must include the applicant’s full name, RedID number, contact information and the reasons for the change of major. Transfer applicants must also include official transcripts from all institutions attended, as well as proof of current enrollment, with their appeal. The entire appeals packet must be sent to:
University Admissions Appeals Committee
San Diego State University
500 Campanile Dr .
San Diego, CA 92182-7455
SDSU is committed to helping students graduate in four years. The majority of SDSU bachelor’s degree programs require 120 units to graduate. For students in these majors, taking a full load of 15 units per semester would set them on track to graduate within a four-year period. Students should meet with their academic and major advisers regularly to ensure they are following the graduation requirements for their degree.
SDSU accepts appeals for extreme circumstances only. If you think your situation qualifies you for an admissions appeal, contact the SDSU Office of Admissions at (619) 594-6336 or admissions@sdsu.edu for additional information.
I Have Been Admitted - Freshmen Questions
- If I have a high GPA from high school, do I still need to provide my SAT Reasoning/ACT test scores?
- What are the ELM and EPT tests?
- How do I register to take the ELM and/or EPT?
- What are the exemption requirements for the ELM?
- What are the exemption requirements for the EPT?
- How much time is required to take the ELM and EPT?
I Have Been Admitted - Freshmen Questions and Answers
- If I have a high GPA from high school, do I still need to provide my SAT Reasoning/ACT test scores?
- What are the ELM and EPT tests?
- How do I register to take the ELM and/or EPT?
- What are the exemption requirements for the ELM?
- Did you score 550 or higher on the math section of the SAT Reasoning test?
- Did you score 23 or higher on the math section of the ACT?
- Did you score 3 or higher on the math AB or BC examination or on the statistics examination of the Advanced Placement test?
- Did you pass, with a grade of “C” or higher, a transferable college math course that satisfies the General Education mathematics/quantitative reasoning requirement by the end of the spring 2008 term? (See an advisor if this applies to you.)
- Did you receive the EAP math result "Ready for CSU College-Level Mathematics Courses" located on the STAR report?
- What are the exemption requirements for the EPT?
- Did you score 550 or higher on the critical reading section of the SAT Reasoning test?
- Did you receive a score of 680 or above on the SAT Writing section?
- Did you score 24 or higher on the English section of the ACT?
- Did you score 3 or higher on the language and composition or the composition and literature Advanced Placement test?
- Did you pass, with a “C” or higher, a transferable college English composition course that satisfies the General Education composition or critical thinking requirement by the end of the spring 2008 term? (See an advisor if this applies to you.)
- Did you receive the EAP English result "Ready for CSU College-Level English Courses" located on the STAR report?
- Receive a score of 4-7 on the Higher Level English A1 International Baccalaureate exam?
- How much time is required to take the ELM and EPT?
Yes. Regardless of your high school grade point average, your official SAT Reasoning/ACT test scores are required.
The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) and English Placement Test (EPT) are placement tests required of all first-time freshmen before being allowed to register for classes at any California State University campus. You may have already satisfied these requirements through your SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement test scores or with certain transfer courses.
Many California State University campuses offer ELM/EPT exams throughout the summer. Summer test dates may be found on the Educational Testing Services Web site. Non-residents of California may take the ELM and/or EPT tests on Saturday, August 25, and your admission will not be compromised. You must take the required ELM/EPT tests and your scores must be received by SDSU by the first day of fall classes, or you will not be able to register for fall classes. Test dates and registration information for tests held at SDSU are available on the Student Testing, Assessment and Research Web site.
You may have already satisfied the Entry Level Math (ELM) requirement. To fulfill your ELM requirement, you must answer YES to one or more of the following questions:
Please note that you are strongly encouraged to take the ELM even if you receive the EAP math result "Ready for CSU College-Level Mathematics Courses - Conditional" located on the STAR report.
You may have already satisfied the English Placement Test (EPT) requirement. To fulfill your EPT requirement, you must answer YES to one or more of the following questions:
You will be given two hours to complete each test.
I Have Been Admitted - Transfer Questions
- When will I know how all my classes transferred over to SDSU?
- What is the WPA? Why do I need to take it?
- How much does the WPA cost?
I Have Been Admitted - Transfer Questions
- When will I know how all my classes transferred over to SDSU?
- What is the WPA? Why do I need to take it?
- How much does the WPA cost?
Once we have received your final transcripts, we will begin the process of preparing your transfer credit evaluation. The evaluation will show how transfer work has been applied to SDSU requirements for your major. Your evaluation will be available to you by the time you attend New Student Orientation. Once you have received your evaluation, you can obtain updated copies on the WebPortal .
The Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) is a test used to assess competency in writing skills at the upper division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree within the California State University System. All SDSU students must take the WPA during the semester in which they achieve 60 units or in the semester immediately following. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to take the WPA once they have received an offer of admission. Transfers who do not take the exam by the end of their first semester at SDSU will be administratively disqualified and will not be able to continue to attend SDSU. For more information about the test and to view test preparation materials, visit the WPA Information Web Site.
The fee for the Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) is $35.
Be sure to print, read and discuss the 6 Steps with your parents in order to get the most out of the information.
* Your official notification of admission is the letter you received in the mail. Please note that this site does not indicate proof of admission.