Admission Appeals Process
SDSU is impacted at the undergraduate level in all majors and programs and as such, we are unable to accept all CSU-eligible applicants for admission. Each year there are more applicants seeking admission to SDSU than there are spaces available. The admissions process is highly selective and applicants must meet criteria that are over and above the minimum established by the CSU.
If you were denied admission, or if you missed an admissions deadline, it is unlikely that our decision will be reversed on appeal. The appeals process is only for applicants who have a serious and compelling reason that they feel the committee should consider.
Submitting an Appeal
To submit an appeal, carefully read and follow the five steps below. Only complete appeals will be considered.
- Appeal within 30 days. All appeals must be received by SDSU within 30 days of date of the "missed deadline," or "deny" notification/communication from the SDSU Office of Admissions. Students who were denied admission may only submit one appeal per admission term.
- Prepare documentation. To have an appeal processed, you must submit ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE to include:
- The Admissions Appeal Request (download PDF, print, and complete form)
- Letter of appeal detailing your extenuating circumstance (e.g., hospitalization, military service, family crisis)
- Supporting documentation that substantiates your appeal. You must document your extenuating circumstance using the information in the table below.
- Submit your appeal. Mail the complete appeals package with supporting documentation to:
University Admissions Appeals Committee
Office of Admissions
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7455 - Allow time for processing. Appeal decisions will be provided in June.
- Receive the decision by mail. Applicants will be notified of appeals decision by mail using the address on file in the SDSU Office of Admissions. Make sure your mailing address is correct.
Appeals and Documentation
| Types of Appeals | Supporting documentation for the appeal |
|---|---|
| Request to submit late application | Freshmen:
|
| Request to submit late fee | Copy of credit card statement, canceled check front & back or money order receipt that indicates payment to SDSU was made by the deadline. |
| Request to submit late transcripts, documents, or test scores | A letter from the college, university or agency verifying the date transcripts, documents or scores were sent by the deadline, or a statement indicating their inability to send them by the deadline. |
| Request to submit a late Transfer Supplemental Application |
You must submit:
|
| Request to apply as a Lower Division Transfer student |
You must submit:
|
| Request to submit late Intent to Enroll | Documentation that supports your claim of your inability to submit the online Intent to Enroll by the deadline. |
| Request to have application rolled over to a future term | Medical documentation or military orders that prevent you from attending the semester to which you applied. |
| Request for re-evaluation of denied admission | Freshmen:
|
| Request for reinstatement of admission. Admission was canceled or rescinded | Additional official transcripts or documents that were not previously submitted to the Office of Admissions. |
Transcript and Test Score Instructions
Official Transcripts
You must request official transcripts be sent directly to the SDSU Office of Admissions.
- Electronic transcripts: Most colleges send their transcripts electronically. SDSU will accept only electronic transcripts from the colleges listed here.
- Paper transcripts: Most high schools send their transcripts in the mail. For a paper transcript to be considered official, it must bear the school letterhead and remain in its original sealed envelope. If opened, the transcript will no longer be valid. If you also took courses at one of the colleges listed here, you must request the college to send transcripts electronically.
The following transcripts are required:
- First-time freshman and lower-division transfer applicants: Transcripts are required from your high school, plus from all colleges you previously and/or currently attend even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) is not applicable to your degree.
- Upper-division transfer applicants: Electronic transcripts are required from all colleges you previously and/or currently attend even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) is not applicable to your degree. SDSU will accept only electronic transcripts from the colleges listed here. Be sure to indicate this preference when making your request. Colleges that do not supply electronic transcripts should send paper transcripts directly to the University Admissions Appeals Committee at the address listed above. No high school transcripts are required.
If applicable, please also include transcripts for all International Baccalaureate credit.
Advanced Placement (AP) Test Scores
Advanced Placement exam score reports and passing scores are required in order to obtain college credit for the AP exam. To obtain your AP test scores, write to the following address or call the AP Grade Reporting Service toll-free at (888) 308-0013 if your exam scores were taken within the last four years.
AP Services
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Visit the AP Tests Web site for additional information.
SAT Reasoning and ACT Test Scores
If your SAT Reasoning and/or ACT test scores are not listed on your high school transcript and you did not indicate SDSU as a destination for your scores when you took your test, you must contact the testing agency to request the electronic scores be sent to SDSU. You can order your scores online, or write, or call the appropriate testing agency listed below.
| The College Board SAT Program P.O. Box 8057 Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 (866) 756-7346 www.collegeboard.org SDSU Code 4682 |
ACT Records P.O. Box 451 Iowa City, IA 52243-0451 (319) 337-1313 www.actstudent.org SDSU Code 0398 |
If you have questions regarding the appeals process, please contact the Office of Admissions.
