Freshmen
What is competitive admission?
California State University, Long Beach continues to be the University of Choice for a talented and diverse group of California's best and brightest students. CSULB receives more first-time freshmen applications than can be accommodated. To maintain the academic quality of CSULB academic programs and services, supplemental admissions criteria, based on a higher CSU eligibility index, will be applied to first-time freshman applicants.
What is the CSU Eligibility Index?
The CSU eligibility index is the result of a formula that combines your achievement in high school courses with the results of the SAT I or ACT. The index uses your earned grades in all approved college preparatory courses taken in the 10th through 12th grades.
What can I do to be considered?
Prospective first-time freshmen should follow our 5-point plan. You must:
- Apply on time, preferably on-line! Apply between October 1 and November 30, 2011.
- Take the SAT I or ACT, preferably by the end of October 2011 but not later than December 2011 and request scores be sent to CSULB.
- Complete the CSU required 15 unit course pattern prior to graduation.
- Perform well - earn the best grades you can (including your senior year!).
- Pursue a backup plan should you not be offered admission to CSULB.
What are the minimum qualifications to be considered?
As a prospective freshman, we will evaluate your application based on your potential to succeed in our academic programs and on your demonstrated mastery of required subject areas. Only students who meet the following minimum requirements will proceed to the competitive round:
- You must have completed each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C or higher prior to high school graduation.
- You must graduate from high school.
- You must have a qualifiable index based on your high school GPA in approved college preparatory courses taken in the 10th through 12th grades and test scores. The minimum score required is also based on your California Residency.
California Residents minimum qualifiable eligibility index Table
If you meet these minimum requirements and are interested in "The Beach," we encourage you to apply and let us determine your admissibility. Please have a backup plan should you not be offered admission.
What happens in the competitive round of admissions?
If you meet the minimum qualifications above, you will be considered for admission in the competitive round. Admission offers will be made based on your high school grades, test score results, residency, and the relationship of your high school to CSULB. We will notify you of our decision no later than April 1 if you have met all application requirements and responded to all requests for additional information by the dates specified.
How do I apply to CSULB?
You should apply to CSULB online by visiting CSUMentor.
Your application and $55.00 filing fee (or fee waiver request) must be submitted by the application deadline.
Get your application to us quickly and accurately. Receive confirmation by email.
When is the application deadline?
The following key dates and deadlines apply to First-Time-Freshmen. You must apply during the Initial Filing Period for consideration.
| Semester | Initial Filing Period | Filing Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2012 | October 1- November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2011 |
| Spring 2012 | Closed to first-time freshmen | Closed |
How will I know that you received my application?
We will send you a notification by email to acknowledge receipt of your application. During peak periods of application processing, it may take one to two weeks for acknowledgement notices to be sent.
Be Aware: CSULB applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and to check their email regularly, as the university uses email as the official means of communication
You may check the status of your admissions application by visiting the application status web page at: www.csulb.edu/applicationstatus. You will need your 9 digit campus identification number when you log in. This number can be found on the upper right corner of your application acknowledgement notification. If you cannot locate your campus ID number, you will be given the opportunity to use your Social Security number instead.
When should I send my transcript(s)?
Please do not send your high school transcript prior to your graduation unless we request it.
If your application information is complete, we may have sufficient information to determine your eligibility for admission. Once we review your application we will notify you by email with instructions and a deadline should we need any additional documents including transcripts. You may check the status of your admissions application by visiting the application status web page at: www.csulb.edu/applicationstatus. You will need your 9 digit campus identification number when you log in. This number can be found on the upper right corner of your application acknowledgement notification. If you cannot locate your campus ID number, you will be given the opportunity to use your Social Security number instead.
You must respond to all requests for information in a timely manner and by the deadlines contained in the notices. Failure to do so will remove you from consideration for admission.
When should I send my test score(s)?
To be considered for Fall 2012 admission, you must take the SAT I or ACT, preferably by the end of October 2011 but no later than December 2011.
You must request that your score results be sent directly to CSULB from the testing agency (ETS/SAT campus code 4389, ACT campus code 0302). For more information on these tests, check out the College Board or ACT websites. Additional information is also available from CSULB Testing and Evaluation Services.
How do I get credit for my College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations?
You need to make sure that you instruct the College Board to send your AP test scores directly to CSULB at the following address:
Office of Enrollment ServicesCalifornia State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-0106
Students who have completed College Board Advanced Placement examinations with a score of 3 or higher and submit an official College Grade Report from the College Board will receive up to 6 units of college credit for each examination. Click here for a complete listing of Advanced Placement Examination credit.
Once we receive your test scores, they will be credited to your student record within one week.
Once posted, you can view recorded test scores through MyCSULB. For more information, visit our How-to guide for Viewing Test Scores.
How do I get credit for my International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level examinations?
You need to make sure that you instruct the International Baccalaureate organization to send your IB test scores directly to CSULB at the following address:
Office of Enrollment ServicesCalifornia State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-0106
Students who have completed International Baccalaureate Higher Level examinations with a score of 5 or higher and submit an official International Baccalaureate Transcript of Grades will receive 4 to 10 units of college credit for each examination. Click here for a complete listing of International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination credit.
Once we receive your test scores, they will be credited to your student record within one week.
Once posted, you can view recorded test scores through MyCSULB. For more information, visit our How-to guide for Viewing Test Scores.
When will I be notified of my admission status?
If you submitted your application during the filing period (October 1-November 30) and we have received all necessary documents, you will receive notification of an admission decision by email as early as February, but no later than April 1st for the Fall semester
Are there conditions of an admissions offer?
Unless you already graduated from high school prior to applying, all offers of admission will be "provisional." For specific terms of freshman provisional admission refer to Terms of Freshman Admission Offers.
What if I am not offered admission to CSULB?
In addition to applying to CSULB, we hope you have considered applying to one or two other colleges so that you will have alternatives in the event that you are not admitted to CSULB.
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.
If you choose to attend another college, please be aware that Cal State Long Beach only accepts transfer students at the junior (upper-division) level.
Can I appeal my admission decision?
Denials of admission are made only after an extensive review of academic qualifications and weighing those qualifications against the competitive nature of our applicant pool; therefore these decisions are rarely overturned and are considered only for extraordinary reasons beyond the control of the applicant.
Appeals must be submitted in writing within 15 days of the date on the denial notification and must include a basis for the appeal, and supporting documentation. We will notify you by email within 4 to 6 weeks, of our response to your appeal request. Only one appeal may be submitted for an academic term so the packet must be clear and compelling when submitted.
More Information on the Appeal Proccess
Do I need to respond to my acceptance notification?
Absolutely!
Newly admitted freshmen 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 deposit and intent must be received by May 1st. The enrollment deposit may be waived for students receiving state or federal need-based grants or full financial assistance. The deposit will offset a portion of the student's State University Fee.
More information on the enrollment deposit, waiver qualifications and how to accept your admission
What's the next step?
Here are some important items to consider if you are offered admission and decide to attend CSULB. If you have already been offered admission, you should refer to Information for Newly Admitted Freshmen.
To help ensure a smooth transition to CSULB, new freshmen and transfer students are required to participate in the University’s Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program.
Placement Tests
If you do not qualify for an exemption, you will be notified that you are required to take the English and/or Mathematics placement test(s) no later than May 5, 2012. If required, we encourage you to take them as soon as possible after being offered admission so results will be available for advisement at your SOAR session. If the test results demonstrate that you are not ready for baccalaureate classes in English and Math, you will be required to take the pre-baccalaureate courses in your first semester. For more information including examination dates and qualified exemptions, please visit the please visit the Testing and Evaluation Services web site.
Campus Housing
All first-time freshmen at CSULB are required to live in University Housing (as space is available) during their first year unless they are, over 21 years of age as of August 27, 2012, or will be living at home with a parent or legal guardian during their entire freshman year. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered based on identified criteria. Visit Housing and Residential Life for an explanation of the exemption process, and to learn about the various campus residence options.
Financial Aid
Check out Financial Aid to explore the programs that can assist in making CSULB affordable. Be sure to review the application procedures and priority deadlines.