Admissions

Fall 2012 Freshman Admission Criteria

All first-time freshman applicants will be admitted to the premajor (including undeclared) in which they applied. There will be a limited number of enrollment slots in each premajor. Applicants will be ranked by their eligibility index, which is a combination of GPA and SAT/ACT test scores. In addition, students must complete the pattern of college preparatory curriculum (a–g courses) by the end of spring 2012.

SDSU's local admission area applicants will be assigned a credit to increase their eligibility so SDSU can maintain its traditional balance of out-of-area to in-area students. Students are in SDSU's local admission area if they graduate from a high school in San Diego County located south of state route 56 and extending eastward AND Imperial County high schools.

First-time freshmen from outside SDSU's local admission area are required to live in on-campus housing their first year.

CSU Grade Point Average

All grades earned in the 15-unit college preparatory pattern of approved a–g 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 Freshman CSU 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 2011 is the last month to take the SAT/ACT if you are applying for fall 2012 admission.

Calculate your eligibility index using the calculator form below, or use the formulas to do the math yourself. Neither ACT nor SAT writing scores are included in the calculation of the CSU Eligibility Index.

The minimum eligibility index for admission to a CSU differs depending on whether you're using the SAT or the ACT:

  • California residents need a minimum eligibility index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT.
  • Nonresidents of California need a minimum eligibility index of 3502 using the SAT or 842 using the ACT.
If you took the SAT Eligibility Index Calculator
(High School GPA X 800)
+ (SAT Critical Reading + Math Score)
= Eligibility Index
High School GPA
SAT Score (Critical Reading + Math)
ACT Score
If you took the ACT
(High School GPA X 200)
+ (10 X ACT Composite Score)
= Eligibility Index

First-Time Freshman College Preparatory Curriculum (a–g courses)

As a first-time freshman applicant, you must complete, with grades of C or higher, the 15-unit comprehensive pattern of college preparatory courses. Recommended courses, though not required, will help better prepare you for university study.

a–g SUBJECT YEARS SPECIFICATIONS
a Social Science 2 years required Must include one year of U.S. history and government.
b English 4 years required Literature and/or composition courses are acceptable
c Mathematics 3 years required;
4 recommended		 Algebra 1, 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.
d Laboratory Science 2 years required Must include one year of biology and one year of physical science.
e Foreign Language 2 years required Must be the same language. (Subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence.)
f Visual and Performing Arts 1 year required Must be a year-long visual and performing arts course in a single area. Visual art, dance, drama/theatre, or music.
g Electives 1 year required 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 on the admission application and the major to which you apply. Therefore you cannot change your major during the application process. Keep that in mind as you select your intended major on the CSUMentor application.

Music and Dance majors: Applicants who meet the CSU admissions requirements will be required to audition as part of the admission process. Auditions will be held in January and February 2012 for fall admission.

If admitted, 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, or if you miss any admission deadlines. 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 from October 1–November 30 at the CSUMentor Web site.