do you need an essay for csu

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Freshman: Admission Requirements

The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses. If accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses.  Visit the  CSU Student Success  site for further information on course placement. For more information on admission criteria, please visit the  First-Time Freshman Guidance  and the  First-Time Freshman Frequently Asked Questions  pages.

Admission Requirements

Admission offices at the 23 campuses use three factors to determine eligibility.

Most applicants who are admitted meet the standards in each of the following areas:

​ Specific high school courses (referred to as the “a-g” courses)

Grades in “a-g” courses

Graduation from high school

Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside their local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. See Impaction at the CSU to determine if the campus or major you are interested in applying is impacted and may have higher or additional admission criteria.

Many CSU campuses use local admission policies for students who graduate or transfer from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. See CSU Local Admission & Service Areas for each campus here (PDF) .

FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA

The CSU requires a minimum 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 better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.

There are career and technical education (CTE) courses that can be used to meet any of the subject area requirements listed above. Please refer to the University of California’s Course List Search for the entire listing of approved courses.

WAIVER OF "LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH" REQUIREMENT

If you can demonstrate competency in a language other than English that is equivalent to or higher than that expected of students who have completed two years of language other than English study, you may be allowed a waiver for this language requirement. For further information, contact the CSU campuses to which you are applying.

HOW TO MAKE UP MISSING COURSES

If you didn't take all the required high school courses or earned D or F grades in some of them, you have several options to make up these courses and qualify for CSU admission.

You can complete appropriate high school courses with a grade of C or better either in summer school or in adult school. Courses in this category must be those found on the high school or adult school UC "a-g" course lists . Some adult schools may not have “a-g” course lists.

You may also complete college courses with a grade of C or better in the missing subject areas. Finally, you can earn an acceptable score on examinations such as the SAT subject examinations, Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, or International Baccalaureate examinations.

If you are unable or do not choose to make up your subject deficiency, you may earn at least 60 units, including 30 semester units of general education from a California Community College or other college and transfer as an upper-division transfer student, where only your college performance is considered for admission.

ADMISSIONS APPEALS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

All students must be able to meet the academic, accreditation and technical standards required for admission or participation in their chosen program of study. Students with disabilities, therefore, are not excused from course prerequisites, GPA requirements or degree requirements. However, in some limited circumstances, substitution of course requirements based on a documented disability may be appropriate.

Such substitutions are granted only when it is clear that the student’s disability makes completion of the requirement(s) impossible and when the course in question is not a fundamental element of the curriculum. A course substitution means that the credit hours for the course are met through an alternate course. A course substitution may not alter or reduce the number of credits needed for degree completion or create a fundamental alteration in the program of study.

Students should visit their campus’s admissions website for the process to appeal an admission denial when the student’s disability directly impacts their ability to complete an admission requirement.

The grades you earn in high school are the most 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 grade.

If you are accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place you in the proper mathematics and English courses. You can visit the CSU Student Success site for further information on course placement.

• California residents and graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater “a-g” GPA.
• Any California high school graduate or resident of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors.
• Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater “a-g” GPA along with other supplemental factors utilized by the individual campus, including those outlined by impacted campuses and programs.
• ​Any Non-California high school graduate earning a GPA between 2.47 and 2.99 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors.
• Number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements, 
• GPA in math and or science courses,
• Household income, 
• Extracurricular and leadership involvement, 
• Educational program participation in high school
• Other available information that would inform the campus admission decision. 

GRADUATION OPTIONS

It's always best to stay in high school to receive your high school diploma. Sometimes, though, that’s just not possible to do. There are options for completing the equivalent of a high school diploma. So if you cannot earn your diploma, consider the General Education Development program (GED) , High School Equivalency (HiSET), or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exams. These are examinations that, upon successful completion, offer the equivalent of a high school diploma.

Remember that completing any of these exams does not eliminate the high school course requirements or the grades and test requirements.

HONORS COURSES

The CSU assigns extra points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points.

No more than two approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. A grade of D in an honors IB or Advanced Placement course does not earn extra points.

Approved high school honors level courses means that the courses are identified as honors level on your official high school “a-g” course list. You can find your school's course list at the University of California’s Cour​se List Search .

Extra points are also awarded for college courses used to meet CSU "a-g" requirements. However, no more than eight (8) extra points may be awarded to any one applicant.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is designed to improve access and retention of historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. The program provides admission and academic assistance to EOP-eligible undergraduate students. In many cases, the program also offers financial assistance to eligible students. Campuses tailor their programs to accommodate the needs of their student population.

Every CSU campus has an EOP for low-income undergraduate students who are California residents or qualify for an AB540 non-resident tuition exemption and are disadvantaged because of their economic and educational backgrounds

EOP accepts students who do not meet regular admission criteria, as well as those who qualify for regular admission. Be sure to indicate on the undergraduate application for admission if you are applying through EOP and ensure you complete the supplemental EOP Application along with the two letters of recommendation by the deadline determined by the campus.

Note: The criteria for acceptance to the EOP program at the CSU are more restrictive than those of the Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOP&S) program at California Community Colleges. Therefore, you may not be accepted to an EOP program at the CSU even though you may be an EOP&S student at a California Community College.

More information about the EOP program is available  here .

Impacted Majors & Campuses Search

When the number of applications received by a ca​​mpus or a major exceeds the number of available spaces, the campus or major is considered "impacted."

GPA Calculator

Your CSU “a-g” grade point average (GPA) is calculated based on all grades earned after 9th grade. Credit and No Credit grades are not included in the calculation. Don’t know your current GPA? Find out using the GPA Calculator

The California Promis​​e Program

This program enables some CSU campuses to establish pledge programs for first-time students who are interested and able to complete a baccalaureate degree in four years​.

Learn More ​​

Exciting News!

I’ve joined the team at magellan college counseling and now provide an even greater depth and breadth of college guidance. .

Applying to a Cal State University in 2024

Updated: Oct 2

The California State University (CSU) is a public university system made up of 23 college campuses across the state of California​.

Whether your student is applying to one or four of the CSU colleges, they will still apply via the Cal State Apply Application .

Here’s what you need to know for the 2023-24 admissions cycle.

How do students apply to the CSUs?

The application opens Oct. 1 and has "phased deadlines," meaning some campuses will have earlier deadlines than other campuses. Eight campuses will close on November 30th, including Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and San Diego State University. You can verify deadline dates on each campus's website or look it up here.

What is admission based on?

Since 2022, the use of ACT/SAT scores in the admissions process has been suspended for all of the CSU campuses.

As a result, the 23 CSU campuses have implemented a multi-factor review to determine admission eligibility, which includes a combination of:

Completion of the 15-unit comprehensive “A-G” pattern of college prep courses with a qualifying GPA of 3.0 or higher for non-California residents

Supplemental factors

The GPA minimums and the weighting of supplemental information used may vary by campus.

Some CSU campuses are impacted or have impacted programs – meaning the number of applications received from qualified applicants exceeds the number of available spaces. These campuses may use a higher GPA minimum in their admissions process.

For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo gives extra consideration when students take beyond the minimum number of semesters required in some of the “A-G” subject areas, such as math, lab science, English, or language other than English. San Diego State University, in addition to considering all of the college-prep coursework students have taken during high school, also considers the performance and the number of units taken in courses most relevant to their intended major (see "Preparation Towards Indicated Area of Study").

The main section of the CSU application asks students to report the average number of hours they participated in extracurricular and/or leadership activities over the most recent 12 months, and the average number of hours they worked per week over the most recent 12 months. Note, students are not asked to list out the activities or work endeavors themselves, simply the amount of time spent engaged in them.

Insider Tip

Students applying to Cal Poly is interested in students' leadership roles . Students may be given extra consideration if they indicate they have held a leadership position in any of their extra-curricular activities or if 25% or more of their work experience is related to their chosen major.

Does CSU consider 9th-grade year grades?

Most CSU campuses only use a GPA derived from “A-G” coursework taken in 10th and 11th grades. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the only CSU campus that will include 9th grade in their GPA calculation.

Will CSU consider test scores if they are submitted?

The CSU has made it clear that “in no case will standardized test scores be utilized in making admissions decisions for applicants. There will still be a section on the application where students can submit SAT and ACT scores, alongside AP and IB scores, but the test results will be used only for college-level math and English course placement for admitted students.

Will CSU count “credit” or “pass” pass grades?

Yes! The CSU campuses will consider course grades of “credit” or “pass” as fulfilling “a-g” requirements for those courses completed from the spring 2020 term to the summer 2021 term. Grades of credit/pass or no credit/no pass will satisfy eligibility requirements, but they will not be included in the calculation of high school GPA.

Is an essay required?

Although the CSU campuses will be looking at coursework and non-academic variables such as hours spent in extracurricular activities, the CSU system does not require essays or personal statements and remains as objective as possible in making admissions decisions.

Do I need to submit my transcript or Letters of Recommendation?

Students will self-report their courses and grades in the application and do not submit letters of recommendation.

Where can I learn more about the CSU campuses?

Each CSU campus offers its own events. Find the campuses here and link to their admission events website pages. You can also visit with specific campuses in October:

Where can I learn how to navigate Cal State Apply Application?

Several resources are available to students throughout the admissions process:

Read the Cal State Freshman Application Guide

Refer to the resources on the Cal State Applicant Help Center

Students can sign up for a virtual application workshop here . Scroll to the very bottom of the page to "Workshops and Information Sessions."

Students can also wat ch Cal Poly's series of application videos.

Cal State Apply Coursework Entry Guide

Frequently Asked Questions Resource

Out-of-State CSU Eligibly Index

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No essay, no problem — How the CSU application may affect the university’s diversity

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Cal Poly’s application for the Fall 2019 term opened Oct. 1 on the university’s online application portal,  Cal State Apply . Cal State Apply allows applicants to apply to multiple California State University (CSU) campuses with the same application. Unlike many colleges and universities, Cal Poly’s application does not require an essay.

Prospective students can fill out the general application through Cal State Apply and are then redirected to additional admission criteria based on the schools they are applying to.

The 2017  State of College Admission report from The National Association for College Admission Counseling found that a majority of colleges and universities see the essay as moderately important in determining academically qualified students.

Admission essays showcase writing skills, but also help the admission boards to humanize applicants, according to the report. The essay allows students an opportunity to express their goals in life or the obstacles they have faced — something not found through test scores or grade point averages.

“I honestly don’t know how they would know who I am as a person because it’s mainly just putting in your transcript and grades,” business administration freshman Savannah Juel said. “Obviously, you can see that each student here is academically talented, but I don’t think the application process shows much interest in diversity and what people actually do outside of school.”

Juel applied to Cal Poly using Cal State Apply last year.

According to the enrollment data from the  CSU and  University of California  (UC) systems in 2018, Cal Poly had the least racially diverse student population of all California public universities. In Fall 2017, 54.8 percent of Cal Poly’s student population identified as white — the highest of all schools in the 23-campus CSU system and 10-university UC system. The university was also ranked among the worst universities for Black students by the  USC Race and Equity Center.

Race and ethnicity do not play apart in the admission process, according to University Spokesperson Matt Lazier. The use of race or ethnicity in admission processes is against state law according to  California Proposition 209 .

The admissions boards may not be able to use race/ethnicity as a factor when evaluating students, but diversity also accounts for age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and much more.

An essay can show the life experiences and personality of an applicant. This can help admissions take into account factors other than grades.

CSU spokesperson Elizabeth Chapin said Cal State Apply does not include an essay, but requires general information such as test scores, transcripts, citizen status, etc. to keep it a uniform application for all 23 campuses. Later on in the application process, more information may be required, but that is up to the campus and program being applied to.

According to Cal Poly Director of Admissions Terrance Harris, one main way Cal Poly’s selection of students differs from the processes of other CSU campuses is its comprehensive review as part of the Cal Poly impaction strategy. Many other CSU campuses use an eligibility index — a  combination of an individual’s high school grade point average (GPA) and score on either the ACT or SAT to create a single number.

Cal Poly’s admission for undergraduate programs is highly impacted and competitive. When applying to Cal Poly, students are required to declare a major. Potential students are evaluated through variables under the faculty-mandated Multi-Criteria Admission (MCA) process.

According to Cal Poly’s MCA process, applicants are admitted based on:

• Intended program of study
• College-preparatory courses in secondary school
• Standardized test scores
• Extra-curricular activities and work experience

Juel said she had to specify how many hours a week she participated in extracurricular activities, like volunteering, leading a club or playing a sport, but was never asked to describe her role in the activities or clubs on Cal Poly’s application.

“Diversity at Cal Poly is impacted by so many factors. One of the best ways to positively impact diversity at Cal Poly is to ensure that the students who are here attending Cal Poly have as positive an experience as possible,” Harris said. “The better the experience of our current students, the better opportunity we have to retain and recruit diverse students.”

Cal Poly only accepts applications for the fall term through the Cal State Apply online application. The application fee is $55.00. Interested students must apply within the window between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. All applicants will be notified with an admission decision via email by April 1 and students have until May 1 to accept or decline an admission offer. 

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What You Need to Know About Applying to the CSU

More than half of csus are still accepting applications for the fall 2024 term..

Newswise — With 23 universities across California, the CSU offers more access to diverse higher education pathways than any other public university system in the United States. While the priority application filing period for the fall 2024 term has passed, more than half of CSUs across the state have extended the deadline to apply and are still accepting applications.

Find answers below to some of the most common questions students have when applying to the CSU.

How do I apply to the CSU and when are applications due?

Applicants should start by visiting the  Cal State Apply portal  and creating an account. Students input their information just once to apply to any of the CSU's 23 universities. The priority application filing period for the fall 2024 term has passed, but more than half of CSUs continue to accept applications. Prospective students are encouraged to apply to their desired campus as soon as possible as they are accepting applications on a space-available basis. Visit the Cal State Apply website for a full list of  application dates and deadlines .

Is there a GPA requirement to apply?

Students should have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be admissible into the CSU. However, students who have less than a 2.5 GPA but greater than a 2.0 GPA should still consider applying as they can be considered for admission using  a number of additional factors  or by going through the admission application appeal process.

Where do I get help with submitting my application?

A number of CSU campuses are offering application workshops to assist students. Students are encouraged to check their desired  campus outreach office  or their high school or community college counselor or career center to find out if there are any workshops being offered for them.

Applicants can also take advantage of a chatbot nicknamed “Cassie," which can be found in the bottom right-hand corner of the Cal State Apply portal. Virtual assistants are available 24/7 through the chatbot. They can also get application help via email and phone by contacting  Cal State Apply customer service liaisons .

What does it cost to apply?

It costs $70 to submit an application, and applicants can apply to up to 23 universities. So, for example, if a student wishes to apply to four CSU campuses, the total would be $280. However, the CSU has expanded its California resident undergraduate  application fee waiver , and now almost half of all applicants will qualify to have the $70 fee waived for up to four universities.

The Cal State Apply application will automatically alert students if they're eligible to receive a fee waiver when they're about to submit. If an applicant does not automatically qualify for an application fee waiver, they may file a fee waiver appeal form with their desired CSU campus.

Can international students obtain an acceptance letter without SAT or TOEFL scores?

Applicants do not need an SAT score to apply to the CSU. However,  international students  whose primary language of instruction was not English in the last three years do need to take the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit those scores to the respective campus they're applying to.

Applicants are also encouraged to visit their desired CSU website for prospective international students to see all of the requirements to obtain admission.

I just applied…. now what?

The first thing applicants should do after applying is check their emails to confirm that the campuses they applied to have received their application. Applicants can also check that information in the Cal State Apply portal under “check status."

Applicants should pay close attention to emails and text messages from the campuses they applied to in case there are any updates to their application. Campuses will send out notice of their admissions decision by March 31, 2024.

Lastly, applicants should apply for financial aid as soon as possible. At the CSU, about 80% of students receive some kind of  financial aid , and 60% of undergraduates have their tuition completely covered by grants or other non-load aid.

Find out more about what to expect  after you've submitted a CSU application.

Is there an option to provide a letter of recommendation?

Applicants do not need to submit any letters of recommendation, resumes or personal statements. A majority of the admissions decisions are based off of academic coursework they enter into the application.

Applicants do need to submit an essay and two letters of recommendation if they are applying to the  Educational Opportunity Program  (EOP), which is a student support services program that provides admission, academic and financial help to historically underserved students throughout California.​

How do I know which CSU is right for me?

Picking the right place to earn your degree is an important part of applying to the CSU.  Get help choosing a campus  by comparing schools, taking an in-person or virtual campus tour or even attending a campus event for future students.

Here are some questions applicants may want to consider when choosing a campus:​

• How far do you want to travel away from home?
• Are you looking for a big school or a small school?
• What kind of research are you interested in? 
• Do you want a school that is close to the beach, or do you want something close to the mountains or the desert?​

​The deadline to apply is quickly approaching, so don't delay! Visit the  Cal State Apply website​  to find your future at the CSU, and discover ways to  fund your CSU education​ .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what do csu essay prompts typically look like.

Starting to think about my CSU applications and I heard their essay prompts can be quite unique. Does anyone have examples or insights into what they usually ask for?

Hi there! Great question. The California State University (CSU) system does not require essays for undergraduate application. That's right! Unlike many other US colleges and universities, CSU campuses focus on your academic achievements, such as your high school grades and test scores, if submitted.

Now, if you're applying to a specific program within a CSU that requires supplemental applications, such as EOP (Educational Opportunity Program), there might be short-answer questions or essays to provide more information about your background, life challenges, and educational goals. These prompts typically ask about your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your academic journey.

If you need to write such essays, they're looking for authenticity and a clear sense of your personality and aspirations. So while you won't see traditional essay prompts for CSU admissions, be prepared to reflect on your experiences for any program-specific applications. Best of luck with your applications!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Really confused..do you need to write an essay for CSU??

<p>Do you need to write an essay to apply to a CSU? if so… whats the prompt?</p>

<p>[Explore</a> The System | CSU](<a href=“ http://www.calstate.edu/explore/common_questions.shtml]Explore ”> http://www.calstate.edu/explore/common_questions.shtml )</p>

<p>An essay is not a requirement for admission to the California State University system. However, it may be an option at campuses that are defined as impacted or in majors that are impacted. Consult the campus admission office to which you are applying to verify whether your major is impacted and to find out whether or not an essay is required.</p>

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