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:

1. Apply on time, preferably on-line! Apply between October 1 and November 30, 2009.
2. Take the SAT I or ACT, preferably by the end of October 2009 but not later than December 2009 and request scores be sent to CSULB.
3. Complete the CSU required 15 unit course pattern prior to graduation.
4. Perform well - earn the best grades you can (including your senior year!).
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. You must graduate from high school.
3. 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

Non-Resident 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. If you don't have access to the Internet, you can obtain an admissions booklet from any California high school or from CSULB.

Your application and $55.00 filing fee (or fee waiver request) must be submitted by the application deadline.

Apply on-line!

Get your application to us quickly and accurately. Receive confirmation by email and letter.

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.

How will I know that you received my application?

As we begin processing applications, we will send you an email or letter acknowledging receipt of your application. If you apply via CSUMentor, you will receive email confirmation that we have received your application. During peak periods of application processing, it may take four to six weeks to acknowledge receipt of paper applications.

You may also call our automated phone system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (562) 985-2500 to find out the current status of your application. Have your 9-digit student identification number handy when accessing this system.

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 have reviewed your application, we will send you a letter requesting any additional information required. Remember, you can check the status of your application at any time by calling our automated system at (562) 985-2500.

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 2010 admission, you must take the SAT I or ACT, preferably by the end of October 2009 but no later than December 2009.

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:

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:

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, we will send a written notice of your admission status 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." Specific terms of a provisional admission are contained in letters and the official notice of admission. Generally, if you are offered provisional admission you must:

• Verify high school graduation with a final high school transcript

• Complete all courses your Senior year with grades of "C" or higher

• Successfully complete all courses to meet the full CSU 15 -unit subject pattern prior to high school graduation

• Supply all required documents by the established deadlines

• Take the ELM/EPT placement tests, if required, no later than June 19, 2010.

After we receive your final documents, your "provisional" admission will be audited. If you have not maintained eligibility, your offer of admission will be withdrawn.

What if I am not offered admission to CSULB?

In addition to applying to CSULB, you should consider 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.

Do I need to respond to my acceptance letter?

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 1^st. 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.

Click here for additional information on the Enrollment Deposit, waiver qualifications and how to accept your Admission.

What's the next step?

If you are offered admission and decide to attend CSULB:

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 required to take the English and Mathematics placement tests no later than June 19, 2010. 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 Testing and Evaluation Services web site.

Campus Housing and Financial Aid

Visit Housing and Residential Life to learn about all our various campus options. Also check out Financial Aid to explore the various programs that can assist in making CSULB affordable. Be sure to review the application procedures and priority deadlines for both of these programs.