Admission

Freshmen Requirements

Generally, first-time freshman applicants will qualify for regular admission if they:

1. have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination; and
2. have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index (see section on Eligibility Index), and
3. have completed with grades of C or better each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements (see Subject Requirements).

Eligibility Index

The eligibility index is the combination of the high school grade point average and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory "a-g" subject requirements, and bonus points for approved honors courses.

Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the tenth grade can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index (EI) can be calculated by multiplying a grade point average by 800 and adding your total score on the mathematics and critical reading scores of the SAT. Students who took the ACT, multiply you’re the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes), need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages.

For admission to terms during the 2007-2008 college years, the university has no plans to include the writing scores from either of the admissions tests in the computation of the CSU Eligibility Index.

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT) or 842 (ACT). Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section.

An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

The CSU uses only the SAT mathematics and critical reading scores in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A "unit" is one year of study in high school.

• 2 years of social science, including 1 year of U.S. history, or U.S. history and government.
• 4 years of English.
• 3 years of math (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra).
• 2 years of laboratory science (l biological and 1 physical, both with labs).
• 2 years in the same language foreign language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).
• 1 single year-long approved course in visual and performing arts: art, dance, drama/theater, or music.
• 1 year of electives: selected from English, advanced mathematics social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU "a-g" list.

Transfer Requirements

Students who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower division transfer students. Students who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper division transfer students. Students who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet those admission requirements. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower Division Transfer Admission Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for admission as a lower division transfer student if you have a grade point average of 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, and meet any of the following standards:

• Will meet the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term to which you are applying (see "Freshman Requirements" section); or
• Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for the subject requirements, and have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subjects.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the Admissions Office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

For Fall and Spring admission, Cal State L.A. requires an official final transcript prior to enrollment to verify successful completion of English composition and college level mathematics if either or both courses are "in progress" or "planned" at the time of application. For Winter and Summer admission, Cal State L.A. requires unofficial grade reports prior to enrollment to verify successful completion of English composition and college level mathematics if either or both courses are "in progress" or "planned" at the time of application. Refer to your letter of admission for additional information.

Upper Division Transfer Admission Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for admission as an upper division transfer student if:

1. They have a grade point average of 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted; (nonresidents must have a 2.4 grade point average or better), and
2. They are in good standing at the last college or university attended; and they have completed at least 60 transferable semester units of college coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade of C or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics. The 60 units must include all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language ( both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

For Fall and Spring admission, Cal State L.A. requires an official final transcript prior to enrollment to verify successful completion of both the 84 quarter unit requirement and the requirements in English, oral communication, critical thinking and mathematics if any of these requirements are "in progress" or "planned" at the time of application. For Winter and Summer admission, Cal State L.A. requires unofficial grade reports prior to enrollment of successful completion of both the 84 quarter unit requirement and the requirements in English, oral communication, critical thinking and mathematics if any of these requirements are "in progress" or "planned" at the time of application. Refer to your letter of admission for additional information.

International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of international (visa) students. For this purpose, "international students" include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other nonimmigrant classifications.

The California State University uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of foreign students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section about the TOEFL requirement for undergraduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admissions. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least 60 days before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations.

Priority in admission is given to residents of California. There is little likelihood of nonresident applicants, including international students, being admitted either to impacted majors or to those majors or programs with limited openings.

Foreign applicants and all others who are not permanent U.S. residents will be admitted to Cal State L.A. only if they meet one of the following sets of requirements:

• Completion of two years (90 quarter units or equivalent) of acceptable college work with a minimum 2.4 grade point average as evaluated by the University (A=4.0), an acceptable course in English composition, speech, critical thinking and mathematics with a minimum grade of C in each course, and a minimum 500 paper-based, 173 computer-based, 61 internet-based score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); or
• Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English (with a minimum 3.0 grade point average as evaluated by the University), a minimum 2.4 grade point average in any college work attempted (as evaluated by the University), and a minimum 500 paper-based, 173 computer-based, or 61 internet-based TOEFL score. The academic eligibility requirement is the same as for graduates of high schools outside California, although submission of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary, unless specifically requested by the University. Foreign high school equivalencies are determined by the University; or
• Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English (with a minimum 3.0 grade point average as evaluated by the University) and a minimum 500 paper-based, 173 computer-based, or 61 internet-based TOEFL score. The academic eligibility requirement is the same as for graduates of high schools outside California, although submission of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary, unless specifically requested by the University. The University determines foreign high school equivalencies.

Undergraduate applicants who have attended full time, for at least three years, either an accredited U.S. college or university or a foreign high school, college, or university where the principle language of instruction was English are exempted from the TOEFL requirement.

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requires that F-1 visa undergraduate students carry a minimum study load of 12 quarter units. Visa students must have advance proof of adequate financial resources, be in good health, and comply with all Cal State L.A. and BCIS regulations. Consult International Programs and Services, (323) 343-3170, for information about visas, housing, and related matters. International students may apply online at www.csumentor.edu.

General Guidelines for Foreign Records

Applicants with foreign academic work are required to submit official copies of academic records, along with a certified English translation. Academic records should include: secondary school records; yearly records from each college or university attended that indicate the number of hours per semester or year devoted to each course and the grades received; and official documents that confirm the awarding of the degree that include the title and date.

All official documents submitted become the property of the University. The University will determine the acceptability of any foreign work.