Admission Appeals Process

CSU San Marcos is impacted at the undergraduate level in all majors and programs to applicants outside of our local admissions area. As such, we are unable to accept all CSU-eligible applicants for admission. Each year there are more applicants seeking admission to CSU San Marcos than there are spaces available. The out of area admissions process is highly selective and applicants must meet criteria that are over and above the minimum established by the CSU.

If you were denied admission, or if you missed an admissions deadline, it is unlikely that our decision will be reversed on appeal. The appeals process is only for applicants who have a serious and compelling reason that they feel the committee should consider.

Submitting an Appeal

To submit an appeal, carefully read and follow the five steps below. Only complete appeals will be considered.

  1. Appeal within 15 days. All appeals must be received by CSUSM within 15 days of date of the "missed deadline," or "deny" notification/communication from the CSUSM Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Students who were denied admission may only submit one appeal per admission term.
  2. Prepare documentation. To have an appeal processed, you must submit ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE to include:
    • The Admissions Appeal Request (download PDF, print, and complete form)
    • Letter of appeal detailing your extenuating circumstance (e.g., hospitalization, military service, family crisis)
    • Supporting documentation that substantiates your appeal. You must document your extenuating circumstance using the information in the table below.
  3. Submit your appeal. Email the complete appeals package with supporting documentation to:

 admissionsappeals@csusm.edu    

Or mail the complete appeals package with supporting documentation to:

University Admissions Appeals Committee
Office of Admissions and Recruitment
California State University San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

  1. Allow time for processing. Appeal decisions will be provided in the order received and in a timely manner.
  2. Receive the decision by email. Applicants will be notified of appeals decision by email using the address provided on CSU Mentor application. Make sure your email address is correct.

Appeals and Documentation

Types of Appeals

Supporting documentation for the appeal

Request to submit late application

Freshmen:

  1. Official high school transcript and college transcript (if applicable) issued by the school within the last two weeks.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or grades (if available) for fall 2012 and a statement indicating the courses that you are enrolled or plan to enroll for spring 2013.
  3. Official ACT or SAT Reasoning test scores.

Transfer students:

  1. Official transcripts sent or delivered directly to CSU San Marcos from all college/universities attended.  Transcripts must be issued within the last two weeks.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or grades (if available) for the fall 2012 and a statement indicating courses that you are enrolled or plan to enroll for spring 2013.
  3. Official Advanced Placement exam scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts if applicable.
  4. Military documents if applicable (DD214, SMART/AARTS transcripts.

Request to submit a late fee

Copy of credit card statement, canceled check front and back or money order receipt that indicates payment to CSU San Marcos was made by the deadline or documentation why fee was not paid.

Request to submit late transcripts, documents, or test scores

A letter from the college, university or agency verifying the date transcripts, documents or scores were sent by the deadline, or a statement indicating their inability to send them by the deadline.

Request to submit a late Intent to Enroll

Documentation that supports your claim of your inability to submit the online Intent to Enroll by the deadline.

Request for re-evaluation of denied admission

Freshmen:

  1. Official high school transcript and college transcript (if applicable) issued by the school within the last two weeks.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or grades (if available) for fall 2012 and a statement indicating the courses that you are enrolled or plan to enroll for spring 2013.
  3. Official ACT or SAT Reasoning test scores.

Transfer students:

  1. Official transcripts sent or delivered directly to CSU San Marcos from all college/universities attended.  Transcripts must be issued within the last two weeks.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or grades (if available) for the fall 2012 and a statement indicating courses that you are enrolled or plan to enroll for spring 2013.
  3. Official Advanced Placement exam scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts if applicable.
  4. Military documents if applicable (DD214, SMART/AARTS transcripts.

Request for reinstatement of admission. Admissions was rescinded or canceled.

Additional official transcripts or documents that were not previously submitted to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Transcript and Test Score Instructions

Official Transcripts

You must request official transcripts be sent directly to the CSU San Marcos Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

The following transcripts are required:

  • First-time freshman and lower-division transfer applicants: Transcripts are required from your high school, plus from all colleges you previously and/or currently attend even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) is not applicable to your degree.
  • Upper-division transfer applicants: Transcripts are required from all colleges you previously and/or currently attend even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) is not applicable to your degree. If applicable, please also include transcripts for all International Baccalaureate credit.

Advanced Placement (AP) Test Scores

Advanced Placement exam score reports and passing scores are required in order to obtain college credit for the AP exam. To obtain your AP test scores, write to the following address or call the AP Grade Reporting Service toll-free at (888) 308-0013 if your exam scores were taken within the last four years.

AP Services
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671

Visit the AP Tests Web site for additional information.

SAT Reasoning and ACT Test Scores

If your SAT Reasoning and/or ACT test scores are not listed on your high school transcript and you indicated CSU San Marcos as a destination for your scores when you took your test, you must contact the testing agency to verify the request that scores were to be sent to CSU San Marcos. You can order your scores online, or write, or call the appropriate testing agency listed below.

The College Board SAT Program
P.O. Box 8057
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
(866) 756-7346
www.collegeboard.org
CSUSM Code 5677

ACT Records
P.O. Box 451
Iowa City, IA 52243-0451
(319) 337-1313
www.actstudent.org
CSUSM Code 0727

If you have questions regarding the appeals process, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.