California State University

Required and Recommended Subjects*
Required Subject		Years Required	Recommended
A.	History/Social Science Including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government and 1 year of social science)	2 years,
B.	English 4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature	4 years
C.	Mathematics Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)	3 years	4 years
D.	Laboratory Science Including 1 biological science and 1 physical science	2 years	3 years
E.	Foreign Language Language - other than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable)	2 years	3 years
F.	Visual & Performing Arts Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art)	1 year
G.	College Prep Elective Courses College Preparatory Elective (One more year of any college preparatory subject)	1 year

High School GPA Calculation for University of California

The CSU requires a 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or higher is required for each course you use to meet the subject requirement.

The grades you earn in high school are an important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th through 12th grades. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, and F=0 points. (Pluses and minuses are not calculated in the grade point average.)

To determine your eligibility, the University calculates your GPA in the "a-g" subjects by assigning point values to the grades you earn, totaling the points and dividing the total by the number of "a-g" courses. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, and F=0 points. (Pluses and minuses are not calculated in the grade point average.) Only the grades you earn in "a-g" subjects in the 10th and 11th grades - including summer sessions - are used to calculate your preliminary GPA. Courses you took in ninth grade can be used to meet the Subject Requirement if you earned a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA.

SAT / ACT Testing

Test scores are required unless you have a grade point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an Eligibility Index that combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either an SAT or ACT test. Even if you have a GPA above 3.0 it is a good idea to take either an SAT or ACT as the score may indicate if you do not need to take English and math placement tests after you are admitted and before you enroll at the CSU. The eligibility index for out-of-state students is higher and admission requirements for international students are somewhat different. The current testing dates can also be found on the official SAT and ACT sites.

ACT

The ACT covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The sum of the scores for the English, math, reading, and science scores is the sum score for ACT that is used for admission to the CSU. ACT also offers, as option, the Writing Test. The CSU does not require the score from the Writing Test for admission purposes.

For more information about the ACT and to register for the test and send scores, please go to the ACT web site.

SAT

The SAT consists of three sections: Critical Thinking, Math, and Writing. Scores from Critical Thinking and Math are added and used for admission to the CSU. Scores from the Writing section is not used for admission purposes to the CSU. Visit the SAT website to learn more about the SAT tests and to register online to take the SAT test. Once you have taken the SAT test, you can list CSUMentor as an institution code, where CSUMentor will store your scores for CSU campuses to retrieve. The SAT institution code is 3594.

Tip: If you take one test, and you don't feel it accurately indicates your abilities, then you might consider taking the other test instead of repeating the first test to improve your score.

CSU Campuses That Have Higher Standards

Some campuses in the CSU use higher standards than the basic admission standards because of the number of qualified students who apply to those campuses during the initial application filing period. The following campuses use higher standards for students for first-time freshmen

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
If you are applying to Cal Poly SLO, you must file an application during the initial filing period and submit ACT or SAT scores regardless of your grade point average. It is recommended that you take the test no later than October if applying for fall admission. The preferred method of application is through CSUMentor. If you cannot apply online, you should contact the admission office to make special arrangements to apply electronically with campus assistance.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
All first-time freshman applicants to CSPU Pomona must file an application during the initial filing period and provide SAT or ACT scores regardless of their high school grade point average no later than January if applying for fall admission.
California State University, Chico
All first-time freshman applicants to CSU Chico must file an application during the initial filing period and submit SAT or ACT scores regardless of their high school grade point average. The SAT or ACT must be taken no later than December if applying for fall admission.
California State University, Fullerton
All first-time freshman applicants to CSU Fullerton must file an application during the initial filing period and provide SAT or ACT scores regardless of their high school grade point average no later than January if applying for fall admission.
California State University, Long Beach
All first-time freshman applicants must apply during the initial filing period and must submit an SAT I or ACT score regardless of their high school grade point average. It is recommended that the SAT or ACT be taken no later than October for fall admission.
California State University, San Marcos
If you are applying to San Marcos, you must file an application during the initial filing period and provide SAT or ACT scores regardless of their high school grade point average no later than January if applying for fall admission.
San Diego State University
All first-time freshman applicants to San Diego State must file an application during the initial filing period and provide SAT or ACT scores regardless of their high school grade point average. It is recommended that the SAT or ACT be taken no later than October for fall admission. The preferred method of application is through CSUMentor. If you cannot apply online, you should contact the admission office to make special arrangements to apply electronically with campus assistance.
Sonoma State University
First-time freshmen must apply during the initial filing period and provide SAT or ACT scores. It is recommended that you take the test no later than October if applying for fall admission.