Office of Admissions
Outside Service Area
First-Time Freshmen Admission Criteria
Fall 2010
San Diego State University will have a very limited number of fall 2010 first-time freshmen enrollment slots due to the severity of the California state budget. All applicants are strongly encouraged to have alternate education plans. Information on this sheet is subject to change based on CSU enrollment directives.
You will be admitted if you:
- Meet SDSU's competitive eligibility index criteria for applicants graduating from a high school outside of SDSU's service area.
- Complete the pattern of college preparatory curriculum ("a-g" courses) by the end of spring 2010.
For fall 2009, the average eligibility index of admitted freshmen who met the selective criteria was 4,228 (1,024 if based on ACT). The average high school grade point average was 3.81. The average SAT Reasoning Test total score was 1,179; the average ACT composite score was 26. The eligibility index for fall 2010 may be higher.
CSU Grade Point Average
All grades earned in the 15-unit college preparatory pattern of approved courses taken in 10th -12th grades are used to calculate your grade point average.
Honors points for A, B and C grades will be awarded for a maximum of eight semester courses taken in 11th and 12th grades, including up to two IB or AP courses, or honors courses with 11th or 12th grade content taken in the 10th grade.
Grade Point Average Calculator
First-Time Freshmen Eligibility Index
The eligibility index is the combination of your high school grade point average and your test score on either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT Reasoning Test) or the American College Test (ACT). Note: November 2009 is the last month to take the SAT/ACT if you are applying for fall 2010 admission.
You can calculate your eligibility index by multiplying your grade point average by 800 and adding your combined critical reading and math score on the SAT Reasoning Test. Or, if you took the ACT, multiply your grade point average by 200 and add ten times the composite score from the ACT. The university will not include the writing scores from either tests in the computation of the eligibility index.
(High School GPA X 800) + (SAT Critical Reading + Math Score) = Eligibility Index
(High School GPA X 200) + (10 X ACT Composite Score) = Eligibility Index
First-Time Freshmen College Preparatory Curriculum
As a first-time freshman applicant, you must complete, with grades of "C" or higher, the 15-unit comprehensive pattern of college preparatory courses. Although not required, recommended courses will help better prepare you for university study.
- English: 4 years. Literature and/or composition. Courses in journalism and speech/debate are not acceptable.
- Mathematics: 3 years. Algebra I, geometry, and algebra II. Other advanced courses that require algebra and geometry as prerequisites are also acceptable. Computer programming courses do not fulfill the math requirements. A fourth year of mathematics is highly recommended.
- Social Science: 2 years, including one year of U.S. history and government
- Laboratory Science: 2 years. 1 year biology and 1 year physical science
- Foreign Language: 2 years of the same language. (Subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence.)
- Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year (must be a year-long visual and performing arts course in a single area). Visual art, dance, drama/theatre, or music.
- Electives: 1 year. College preparatory courses selected from English, advanced mathematics, social studies, history, laboratory science, agriculture, and foreign language.
Fall admission is based on self-reported information. Your admission is provisional pending verification of the self-reported information on your application from your official transcript. Your admission may be rescinded if your GPA, test scores or course grades are lower than what is reported on the application. Please make sure to report accurate information. In addition, you must receive "C" or higher grades in all coursework taken during senior year or your admission is at risk of being rescinded.
APPLY October 1 - November 30 at the CSUMentor Web site.