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Cal State Long Beach Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Cal State Long Beach's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Cal State Long Beach and build a strong application.

School location: Long Beach, CA

This school is also known as: California State University Long Beach, CSU Long Beach, Cal State Long Beach

Admissions Rate: 40%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Cal State Long Beach is 40% . For every 100 applicants, 40 are admitted.

This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

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Cal State Long Beach GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.7

The average GPA at Cal State Long Beach is 3.7 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.7, Cal State Long Beach requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.7, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Cal State Long Beach hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Cal State Long Beach will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Cal State Long Beach SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1145

The average SAT score composite at Cal State Long Beach is a 1145 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Cal State Long Beach Competitive for SAT test scores.

Cal State Long Beach SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1040, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1250. In other words, a 1040 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1250 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Cal State Long Beach has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Cal State Long Beach will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Cal State Long Beach forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1145, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Cal State Long Beach ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Cal State Long Beach likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 23

The average ACT score at Cal State Long Beach is 23. This score makes Cal State Long Beach Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 20, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 26.

Even though Cal State Long Beach likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 20 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 23 and above that a 20 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 23 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Cal State Long Beach, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 23.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Cal State Long Beach considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1250 SAT or a 26 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 40% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.7. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1040 SAT or a 20 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Cal State Long Beach here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes November 30 February 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 1250 Long Beach, CA 90840
• Phone: (562) 985-4111
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Cal State Long Beach, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Cal State Long Beach.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Cal State Long Beach. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Cal State Long Beach, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Cal State Long Beach, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Cal State Long Beach is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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• California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) GPA Requirements

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) SAT Requirements

California state university-long beach (csulb) act requirements.

• What California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) looks for in applicants
• California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) Requirements - General Application
• How to Differentiate Your Application & Get In
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California State University-Long Beach (CSULB): 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into California State University-Long Beach (CSULB). We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to Cal State Long Beach, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown Cal State Long Beach statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here . If you're interesting in transferring to Cal State Long Beach, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at Cal State Long Beach

This free college chances tool calculates your acceptance chances at any other U.S. college

Please note all chances are estimates based on test score and GPA averages.

What GPA Do You Need To Get Into California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)?

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s average GPA is 3.56. California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) does require GPA. This average GPA means California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of Cal State Long Beach application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.56 to 3.74 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.74 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on Cal State Long Beach’s campus. These Cal State Long Beach admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What Is California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s Acceptance Rate?

Last year California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s acceptance rate was 33.82. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into Cal State Long Beach - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Will You Get Into California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)?

Does california state university-long beach (csulb) require test scores.

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s average SAT score is 1045 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) is getting more or less competitive.

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s average SAT score is 1045. To be a competitive applicant for California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 930, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1160.

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)’s average ACT score is 68. To be a competitive applicant for California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 58, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 78.

How Hard Is It To Get Into California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)?

As you can see from the data above, California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) is difficult to get into. Not only should you be aiming for a 3.56 but also SAT scores around 1045.

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into Cal State Long Beach

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into Cal State Long Beach. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at Cal State Long Beach, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with Cal State Long Beach admission standards.

• Score at least a 1045 on the SAT or 68 on the ACT.
• Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.56.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with Cal State Long Beach’s Values.

• Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
• Volunteer in your hometown. Long Beach has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Long Beach area in general.
• Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. Cal State Long Beach needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

• Write a stellar essay that shows California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
• Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your Cal State Long Beach app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
• Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Cal State Long Beach’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.

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Cal State University, Long Beach: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a public university with an acceptance rate of 39%. Established in 1949, Cal State Long Beach is the third largest university by enrollment in the California State University system. The most popular undergraduate majors at CSULB are engineering and health and human services.

Considering applying to Cal State Long Beach? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why CSU Long Beach?

• Location: Long Beach, California
• Campus Highlights: CSU Long Beach's 322-acre campus sits just a few miles from sand beaches and the Pacific Ocean. CSULB's athletic facilities include the iconic Walter Pyramid.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 23:1
• Athletics: The Long Beach State 49ers compete in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.
• Highlights: Students at "The Beach" can choose from over 150 academic programs.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Cal State Long Beach had an acceptance rate of 39%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 39 students were admitted, making CSULB's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Cal State Long Beach requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 95% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Cal State Long Beach's admitted students fall within the  top 35% nationally  on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Cal State Long Beach scored between 520 and 620, while 25% scored below 520 and 25% scored above 620. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 520 and 630, while 25% scored below 520 and 25% scored above 630. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1250 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Cal State Long Beach.

Requirements

Cal State Long Beach does not require the SAT writing section. Note that CSULB will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject test scores are not required, but if the score meets a benchmark, it may be used to fulfill certain core course requirements.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Cal State Long Beach requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 27% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Cal State Long Beach's admitted students fall within the  top 49% nationally  on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to CSULB received a composite ACT score between 20 and 26 while 25% scored above 26 and 25% scored below 20.

Cal State Long Beach does not require the ACT writing section. Note that CSULB does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered.

In 2019, the average high school GPA for incoming Cal State Long Beach freshman was 3.89. These results suggest that most successful applicants to CSULB have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to California State University, Long Beach. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Cal State Long Beach, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a competitive admissions process. What makes the difference between an acceptance and a rejection? Unlike the  University of California System , the  California State University  admission process is not  holistic . Except for EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) students, applicants do  not  need to submit letters of recommendation or an application essay, and extracurricular involvement is not part of the standard application.

Admissions are based primarily on an  eligibility index  that combines GPA and test scores. To be admitted, you must have completed and achieved a "C" grade or higher in required college preparatory courses which include two years of history and social science, four years of college prep English, three years of math, two years of laboratory science, one year of visual or performing arts, and one year of a college preparatory elective. Additionally, a separate STEM eligibility index is calculated for admission to science, technology, engineering, and math majors. Applicants should be aware that California State University, Long Beach is designated as  impacted  because it receives more applications than can be accommodated.

In the scattergram above, the green and blue dots represent accepted students. The majority of students accepted to California State University, Long Beach had GPAs of 3.0 or higher, SAT scores (ERW+M) of 950 or higher, and ACT scores of 18 or higher. Chances of acceptance are best for students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a combined SAT score of 1100 or above. In the middle of the graph, note that there is some red (rejected students) hidden behind the blue and green. Some students with grades and test scores on target for CSULB still get rejected.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and California State University, Long Beach Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach State

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1250 BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90840 562.985.4111

Transfer Application Process

  As an entering Transfer student to CSULB, you will need to do the following steps in order to successfully apply to The Beach and start as a CSULB student.

Explore and Declare a Major 

Applicants must thoroughly educate themselves on their intended major’s requirements for both admission and for degree completion prior to submitting an application for admission.  You are strongly advised to review the Major Specific Requirements for Transfer  website.

CSULB requires transfer applicants to declare a major at the time they submit the application on Cal State Apply.  

Please note the following:

• Changes of major cannot be requested once the Cal State application has been submitted.
• Applicants are only considered for the primary major listed on the Cal State application; if you do not qualify for your first choice, you will not be considered for your alternate major.  
• If you plan to pursue the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), be sure to indicate this clearly on your Cal State application.  It will not be possible to request consideration under the ADT once the Cal State application has been submitted.
• Once a student has actually enrolled at CSULB, changes of major are limited based on both the admission requirements of the major and CSULB’s Timely Graduation policy.

Apply Online 

Applicants must apply during the California State University (CSU) initial filing periods:

• Fall Semester Admission: October 1 to November 30
• Spring Semester Admission: August 1 to August 31

Visit Current Application Deadlines for more information. To apply to CSULB, visit Cal State Apply . Once submitted, we will send you a notification by email to acknowledge receipt of your application. Students may only be considered for one application per academic term.

Complete the Supplemental Application 

After we receive your CSU application from Cal State Apply, you may be asked to provide us with additional information about your academic preparation on a Supplemental Application. The Supplemental Application for Transfer is an online application that is specific to you, is specific to your intended major, and is specific to CSU Long Beach.  You will be asked to review and confirm your academic record, including all colleges attended.  You will also be asked to confirm your CSU eligibility and to report your progress towards completion of your Major Specific admission criteria.

It is critical that the Supplemental Application is completed accurately and in its entirety.  You are encouraged to review your academic records and to consult with counselors before you complete the Supplemental Application.  Please note that, unlike the Cal State application, you will be given several weeks to complete the Supplemental Application, and you will have the opportunity to revisit your application and adjust your answers before the final deadline. 

Visit the Supplemental Application for Transfers website for complete details including filing periods, deadlines, and helpful tutorials.

Check Your Application Status

How do i check my application status.

CSULB uses email as the official means of communication. Applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and to check their email regularly. Please make sure to add CSULB as one of your contacts and to check your SPAM folders. You may check the status of your admissions application at any time by visiting applicant self-service .

Offers of admission are normally made Mid-February through April for Fall admission and in October for Spring admission. All initial offers of admission will be conditional and subject to verification based on official transcripts. Admission offers may be withdrawn if the GPA, completed courses, or course grades are lower than what is reported or if you miss any admission deadlines. Please make sure to report accurate information!

What If I Am Not Offered Admission To CSULB?

Admission to CSULB remains competitive as CSULB continues to have more qualified applicants than available new student spaces. We hope you have considered applying to one or two other colleges, in the event that you were not admitted to CSULB.  Please note that if you are interested in pursuing another CSU as your “backup”, it may be in your best interest to file a separate application with that campus during the Initial Filing period, as many campuses have early filing deadlines.

Accept Your Admission Offer

Offers of admission are normally made in Mid-February through April for Fall admission and in October for Spring admission. All initial offers of admission will be conditional and subject to verification based on official transcripts.

Do I need to respond to an acceptance notification?

Absolutely! In addition to submitting documents to verify the admission decision, newly admitted transfer students are required to accept their admission offer and pay a non-refundable $150 enrollment deposit in order to reserve a spot in the class. The enrollment deposit may be waived for students receiving state or federal need-based grants or full financial assistance, however they will still need to accept or decline the offer. The deposit will offset a portion of the student's State University Fee.

• For Fall admission : Inform us of your intent to enroll by May 15.
• For Spring admission : Inform us of your intent to enroll by November 15. 

How do I accept admission and pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit?

Online : Go to your  MyCSULB Student Center  and click on “Activate your Account” in the upper left hand corner. Follow the instructions to activate your account. Once you have logged in, navigate to your Student Center tab. Scroll down to the bottom with the section header "Admissions" and select Accept/Decline. To accept your admission online, you must either qualify for the waiver or pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit via MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or electronic check. If you qualify for a deposit waiver, the online process will automatically notify you. For timely processing, we strongly suggest you submit your admission acceptance and enrollment deposit online via your MyCSULB Student Center. You will receive immediate confirmation that your acceptance and deposit have been accepted.

What is the enrollment deposit?

Transfer students are required to pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $150 with their admission acceptance. The enrollment deposit is required in order to reserve a space in our class. The admission acceptance and deposit must be received by the appropriate deadline above. The deposit will offset a portion of your Tuition Fee for the first semester.

What are the conditions for receiving a waiver for the enrollment deposit?

The enrollment deposit will be waived for students receiving state or federal need-based grants or full financial assistance. If you qualify for the waiver, you must still submit the Admitted Student Reply by the deadline. You know you qualify for the waiver if:

• You have received a Federal Student Aid Report with an Expected Family Contribution of $0.
• You are a candidate for an Athletic Scholarship.

Submit Official Transcripts If Offered Conditional Admission

A conditional admission offer means we have reviewed your responses to the Supplemental Application and have made  preliminary offer of admissions based on this information. Conditional admission decisions may be withdrawn for students who misreported, missed the document deadline, or who do not successfully complete course work reported in progress.  

You will now be required to submit official college transcripts in order to verify eligibility:

• For Fall admission: Admitted students wishing to accept our offer will need to submit all official transcripts in March.
• For Spring admission: Admitted students wishing to accept our offer will need to submit all official transcripts in October .

The exact deadline for submission of your documents will have been included in your admission notice.  Admitted students are also encouraged to go to the  MyCSULB Student Center , and follow the instructions to activate their account.  Once logged in, you can navigate to your “To Do List” to review document requests and deadlines.  

Besides official college transcripts, additional documents may also be required:

• Students who are eligible to receive credit based on Advanced Placement, CLEP or International Baccalaureate assessments will need to have official test scores sent to CSULB. Be aware that credit granted by another institution does not ‘transfer’ to CSULB for test credit. Also be advised that scores over 4 years old may be archived and take additional time to be received.
• For purposes of determining California residency, some students may be required to submit additional documents. For additional information regarding the establishment of California residency for educational purposes, visit the Residency information page.
• Veterans of the United Sates Armed Forces will be asked to submit their military transcripts (e.g. JST, AARTS, SMART or Community College of the Air Force).
• Students who are in the process of completing an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) will be asked to contact their Community College Transfer Center to provide verification of their participation in the ADT program.

Satisfy the Terms of Your Admission Offer

Please bear in mind that the Transfer Application Process is a multi-step process:

• A “ Conditional ” offer of admission may be made based on the self-reported information provided in the Supplemental Application.  If you are Conditionally admitted then you will be required to submit documents so that we may “confirm” the admission offer.  These documents may include official college transcripts, test scores, military transcripts, etc.  The deadline for submission of these documents will be indicated on your offer of Conditional Admission.
• After your documents are received, we will review your official academic record.  If we are not able to confirm the information you reported on your Supplemental Application, then we may withdraw our offer of admission, and you will be notified.
•  If the admission offer is confirmed, you will be notified that your status is now either “ Provisional ” or “ Clear .”  Our confirmation of the admission offer is almost always “provisional” as the admission offer is normally made while some admission requirements are still in progress .  Provisionally admitted applicants will be required to submit final copies of their college transcripts in order to confirm completion of requirements in progress.
• Fall Admission:  No later than July 15 and must include spring grades
• Spring Admission:  No later than January 10 and must include fall grades
• After receipt of the required transcripts, the admission decision will be audited to ensure all conditions have been met. An email will be sent with the results of the review, either confirming your Clear Admission or withdrawing our offer of admission.   
• Students are allowed to attend  orientation (SOAR)  and register for classes prior to the auditing of their admission decision. Some students may be required to self-report their grades at check-in to insure they are on track for completion of the admission requirements. If the admission offer is rescinded after orientation, the classes will be administratively dropped.

How will I know if I have met all of the Admission Requirements (Clear Admission)?

As you can see, your admission is an ongoing process that begins with the Supplemental Application and ends with submission of your final transcripts.  Along the way we notify you of your progress from “Conditional” to “Provisional” to “Clear.”   

Your responsibility is to:

• Please check your email inbox frequently, and be sure that CSULB always has a current email address for you. 
• Visit the MyCSULB web portal and activate your account.
• Submit official transcripts and other documents when requested and before the published deadline.
• Remember to accept your offer of admission :  May 15 is the deadline for a Fall admission, and November 15 is the deadline for a Spring admission.
• Enroll in the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR ) workshops.  These workshops are held in July for Fall registration, and in January for Spring registration.
• Continue to do well in your classes and maintain your Grade Point Average (GPA)!
• Complete all admission requirements as originally reported on your Supplemental Application.   You must also complete all requirements by the term you indicated on your Supplemental Application.  If you did not retain a copy of your Supplemental Application, you can visit the CSULB website to review admission requirements for upper division transfers in your major.  You can also contact Transfer Admissions in the Office of Enrollment Services to review your admission requirements at (562) 985-5471.

Understand Conditional Admission

Transfer admission offers are normally based on self-reported information provided in the Supplemental Application for Transfer Applicants.  This is called Conditional Admission, and those who are offered admission will need to submit official documents, including transcripts from all schools attended, in order to verify the information reported. This will also allow us to begin the official evaluation process of all transfer credit in preparation for advising at orientation.

The admission offer letter includes a detailed list of the documents required. All documents must be submitted within 30 days of the admission offer. Admitted students can also review the list and check to see if documents have been received by accessing their MyCSULB account and viewing their “To Do List.”

Once all documents are received, we will verify that the student reported accurately and if so send a notice confirming admission eligibility. Admission decisions will be withdrawn for students who do not submit the required documents, or who misreported or do not successfully complete course work reported in progress.

Understand Provisional Admission

Our confirmation of the admission offer is almost always “provisional” as the admission offer is normally made while admission requirements are still in progress. It is important that you successfully complete all remaining admission criteria and that you submit final transcripts in a timely manner. The admission confirmation notice will indicate whether the offer is provisional or whether all admission requirements have already been fully satisfied.

Admission offers are provisional until the following requirements are met. These requirements must be completed by the end of the preceding Spring semester for Fall admission or the preceding Summer semester for Spring admission .

• Complete at least 60 transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units.
• Complete with a grade of "C" or better the CSU GE requirements in Written Communication, Oral Communication, Critical Thinking and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.
• Maintain a competitive grade point average (GPA) in any terms in progress. 
• Complete Major Specific preparation courses as planned based on information submitted on the Supplemental Application for Transfer Applicants.  All Major Specific courses must be met a grade of “C” or better.
• Complete the Transfer Associates Degree as planned if admission was based on pursuit of this degree program.

Failure to meet these conditions will result in the rescinding of the admission offer which will prevent enrollment. If enrollment is desired in the future, a new application must be submitted for that term and applicants must meet all of the admission requirements in effect at that time.

Can I Appeal My Admission Decision?

Denial of admission are made only after an extensive review of academic qualifications and weighing those qualifications against the competitive nature of the applicant pool; therefore these decisions are rarely overturned and are considered only for extraordinary reasons beyond the control of the applicant. We review every application for maximum consideration. 

For an appeal to have merit, it must contain new, serious and compelling information that clearly shows you to be academically stronger than you had been earlier evidenced. Mistakes made on the application are not basis for an appeal or the reversal of a decision. Additionally, the prospect of a stronger academic performance in a current term is not sufficient basis for an appeal.

Submit an Admissions Appeal

Guidelines:

• Complete the Admissions Appeal Process form requesting we reconsider your application. The form must come from you (the applicant) and be submitted no later 15 days after receipt of your original admissions decision. Appeals submitted via hard-copy letter, email or fax are not acceptable, and will not be considered.
• Your submission must clearly outline your reason for appealing the decision and the information you present should be new and compelling. 
• You must include supporting documentation.
• Letters of recommendation and personal statements or essays are not considered in the admissions process at CSULB and cannot be submitted as part of your appeal.
• You may not appeal the decision to be placed on the Wait List.

We will notify you by email within 4-6 weeks of our response to your appeal request. Only one appeal may be submitted for an academic term so your appeal packet must be clear and compelling when submitted. 

• Students appealing a residency decision should contact the Residency Specialist at  [email protected] .
• Students who have applied through the  Disabled Students Special Admission Process  should contact the Bob Murphy Access Center (formerly know as Disabled Student Services) at 562.985.4430