How do I apply to the University? When should I apply? Do I send my application and transcripts together?
You will submit a completed online application via CSU Mentor (www.csumentor.edu) along with the application fee to the Office of Admissions. Students planning
to attend the University in the fall should apply in October/November of the preceding year, and in August if they chose to
start in the spring. If required, your transcripts need to be sent officially by all previously attended schools to the Office of
Admissions. If they are mailed personally by you they will be considered unofficial transcripts. Transfer students should
request them from each college at the same time that you send in your application to the university. All students
are required to send final official transcripts once final grades/graduation are posted. For more information visit the
How to Apply section of this website.
How will students be selected? Students will be selected based on the CSU
system wide admissions requirements. For more information visit the Admissions Requirements
section of this website.
What if a student is not admitted? If you are not admitted to CSUSM, we will let you know which areas of the
admissions requirements you lack in your notification letter. The best strategy may be for you to enroll at a community
college to make up the lacking areas and reapply at a later date. We encourage you to visit your local community college
transfer center for guidance in the CSU admissions requirements.
Is there an appeal process? CSUSM reviews each applicant’s record thoroughly in the admissions evaluation
process. Should you believe an error was made, please contact our office at (760) 750-4848 and request a re-evaluation.
Please be prepared to describe the type of error you believe to have
occurred.
How high of a GPA and SAT scores do I need to get into CSUSM? The CSU eligibility index determines the GPA and
SAT scores required to be eligible on the Eligibility Index. This information may be found in the CSU General Application
booklet and also in the Freshmen Admissions Requirements section of this website.
What is the grade point average a transfer student will need for admission? An overall transfer grade point
average of 2.0 (2.4 for non-residents) is sufficient for transfer students. For
more information visit the Transfer Student Admissions Requirements section
of this website.
How do I know if I am eligible for a fee waiver? What if I submit the waiver but you don’t waive the fee?
Waiver of the application fee is based on your income and other factors. Complete the CSU Application Fee Waiver form
and we’ll let you know if you are eligible. If you don’t get the fee waived, we’ll notify you to pay the $55. Your
application will not be processed for admission until the fee is received.
I have an AA degree; does that mean I have done all my general education courses? No, an AA degree is not
designed to be used to transfer to a 4-year university. You may have to take different math and English courses, etc.
Also, if you enroll at CSUSM, we have upper division general education requirements you’ll have to meet.
Should I send my transcript(s) with my application? Please DO NOT send transcripts with your
application. They will be considered unofficial. Please DO request official transcripts from all previous institutions
of attendance. Also, if you are required to submit test scores, please DO make sure you designate CSUSM to receive your
SAT I or ACT scores when you take those tests. Our institution code is 5677 for SAT and 272 for ACT.
What if I am not admitted (First-Time Freshman)? If you are not admitted to CSUSM, we will let you know which
areas of the admissions requirements you lack in your notification letter. The best strategy may be for you to enroll at
a community college to make up the lacking areas and reapply at a later date.
Specific CSU Application Questions
I did OK in the first semester of my high school algebra class but I got a D in the second semester.
Does that count? No, you would need to have grades of at least C in the final semester, OR you could have a
D in the FIRST semester and a C in the SECOND semester. A final grade of a “C” or better in the second semester of a
year-long course is recognized as validation of satisfactory completion of the course requirement.
I am a high school student taking a class at a community college. Where do I enter this information on the CSU
admission application? Please list this information in the "All Institutions" section and/or in the "Courses in Progress/Planned"
section. If the course is not going to be used toward your high school diploma and it meets one of the requirements in the
"High School Preparation" area of the application, list it there too. You should also submit an official
college transcript so that we can ensure you receive proper college credit.
My transcript has a weighted cumulative 10-12 GPA. Should I use that in the application? Yes. You are
encouraged to recalculate your 10-12 GPA. Please do not use a 9-12 overall GPA or weighted 9-12 GPA.
I am going to be a freshman, and I have a GPA higher than 3.0. So, I don’t need SAT I or ACT scores, right?
Correct. However, your test scores may exempt you from placement tests and the ELM/EPT graduation requirement. You are
encouraged to take and submit all test scores.
In the SAT I and ACT test score section on the CSU admission application, can I put my highest SAT
scores if I have taken them more than once? Yes, and you can put the highest verbal and the highest math, and they
can be from different test dates.
If I get a D in a college level course, will it transfer? If it is a class that could count toward a
bachelor’s degree, we will accept the credits. If it’s a course like English composition or college algebra, it
will not exempt you from the Entry Level Math or English Placement tests. You need grades of a “C” or better in
those courses to be exempted.
I am a transfer student. I don’t need SAT I or ACT scores, do I? If you have fewer than 60 transferable
semester units and we are accepting applications from Lower-Division Transfers, we MUST look at BOTH your high school
and college work. We would need SAT/ACT test scores if your high school 10-12 academic GPA is less than a 3.0. Test
scores may also exempt you from the ELM/EPT assessment and graduation requirements if they qualify. You are encouraged
to submit all test scores. Please see the
When Can I Apply web page to find out if applications for Lower-Division Transfers are being accepted for the
semester you wish to apply.
I am a transfer student. Why do I have to turn in my high school transcripts? Students who are admitted
under the Adult Admission or transfer students with less than 60 transferable units (Lower-Division Transfers) are required
to submit official high school transcripts. The Office of Admissions requires high school transcripts in order to verify
that the student has met all of the appropriate subject and eligibility index requirements, and has graduated from a high
school. Please see the When Can I Apply
web page to find out if applications for Lower-Division Transfers are being accepted for the semester you wish to apply.
Do I need a separate application for each CSU that I am applying to? Yes. If you know you want to get first
consideration at more than one CSU, you must apply separately to each and pay the application fee for each. You must
submit an electronic application to each campus. If you are applying to multiple campuses, the CSUMentor electronic
application allows you to use the same application data to submit separate applications to each campus. Please visit the
How to Apply web page for application
instructions.
I want to become an elementary school teacher. What major do I enter in the "Name of Intended Major" section of the
CSU admission application? Usually students who want to teach in elementary school go into the liberal studies
major. After you have completed the requirements for the degree, then you would apply to a multiple-subject credential
program to get a teaching credential. For now, just put liberal studies in the "Name of Intended Major" section and
“X” in the "Teacher or Other Credential Program" section.
I want to become a high school teacher. What major do I enter in the "Name of Intended Major"
section of the CSU admission application? Students who want to teach at the secondary school level major in the
subject they wish to teach - After you have completed the requirements for the degree, then you would apply to a
single-subject credential program to get a teaching credential. For now, select a major in the field you wish to teach
for the "Name of Intended Major" section and “X” in the "Teacher or Other Credential Program" section.
What is a credential program? I’ve never heard of it, so I don’t know if I am interested in it or not.
A credential program is a certificate program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher and want to
teach in the state of California.
Testing and Additional Requirements
What are the test requirements for admission to CSUSM? Applicants must submit scores from either the SAT I
or the ACT. You should take the SAT I or ACT tests no later than November of your senior year of high school. You are
advised to take it as early as possible. If you take examinations more than once, CSUSM will use the highest score when
calculating your eligibility index.
To obtain test registration forms and dates for either test, contact your school or college counselor or write to:
The College Board (SAT I)
Website: www.collegeboard.org
Registration Unit, Box 592
Princeton, NJ 08541
American College Testing Program (ACT)
Website: www.act.org
Registration Unit, PO Box 168
Iowa City, IA 52240
Official scores should be requested from the testing service at the time you register for the test and sent directly to CSUSM
(CSUSM's SAT I code is 5677; CSUSM's ACT code is 272).
Are there additional test requirements I must fulfill to enroll in CSUSM? Yes. All entering students (freshman
and transfer) must satisfy the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) and English Placement Test (EPT) assessment requirements before
enrolling at CSUSM. You will not be permitted to register for any classes if you have not satisfied both requirements. The
ELM/EPT requirement may be exempt with qualifying SAT/ACT scores, specific AP exam scores of 3 or better, or college level
coursework certified to meet the requirement (See the CSUSM General Catalog for details.) ALL NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS
who have not been determined to be exempt from the ELM/EPT requirement must be assessed by taking the ELM/EPT placement tests.
These tests are offered at all California State University campuses and you may take them at the campus nearest to you.
Also, we encourage you to take them as early as possible, and no later than the June testing date for fall admission.
You may also register on the web for the EPT and/or ELM exams offered on the CSUSM campus.
Visit the CSUSM
Career and Assessment Center's Testing Information web site.
What is a TOEFL test and do I need to take it? All undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship or visa
status, whose preparatory education was in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English. If you
have not attended school full time for at least three years, at the secondary level or above, where English is the principal
language of instruction, you must earn a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based
test or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL test.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Questions
What is EOP? How do I qualify for the program? What does the program offer? The Educational Opportunity
Program or EOP exists to serve economically disadvantaged, first generation college students, particularly those who are
from groups which have been historically underrepresented in the CSU. EOP provides special retention services to support
and encourage the academic success of non-traditional university students. Applicants must qualify for EOP based on
established income guidelines.
How do I apply for EOP admissions? EOP assists economically disadvantaged students and those needing special
academic admission consideration to enter a California State University. To be considered for the EOP, you must indicate
your interest in the program by checking the appropriate section on The California State University admissions application.
Applicants are also required to complete the CSU General Educational Opportunity Program application, which is available
from your high school/community college counselor, and can also be obtained my contacting EOP at (760) 750-4861 or
eop@csusm.edu.
If my parent(s) or guardian(s) has just been laid off from his/her job, can I still submit an EOP application?
Yes, if EOP is taking applications at that time. However, primary
consideration is based on historical income considerations rather than a temporary situation.
Now that I am an EOP student, why is there no EOP Grant in my financial aid package? Doesn't EOP offer financial
assistance like the Community College EOPS offices? Though the names may look similar, EOP and EOP&S are different
programs. Therefore, they have different requirements and offer varying services. While EOP&S offices are located at the
community college level, EOP exists within the CSU system. EOP students may qualify for an EOP Grant as a part of their
financial aid package. However, limited funding permits only a certain number of awards. The source of funds and the awarding
criteria are different than at the community college. Additionally, in order to be considered for an EOP Grant, you must
complete your Financial Aid file by the appropriate deadlines.
I’m an EOP student from another CSU. Do I need to apply for EOP at CSU San Marcos? Yes. Though all CSU
campuses are required to have EOP services available to its students, each campus implements different requirements.
EOP at CSU San Marcos will not automatically transfer your enrollment from another CSU campus or community college.
You are required to forward your original EOP application (from your current school) to EOP at CSU San Marcos, providing
information (such as address, phone number, and income) that may have changed since this you submitted this original form.
If your original EOP
application is not available, you must complete and submit a brand new one.
Housing Questions
What are the housing options? For On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing please visit the
Student Life and Leadership Housing web site. You may also review the listings of available
dwellings and also of students seeking roommates located on the bulletin board outside of the University Commons
building (2nd floor, South-facing wall.)
Please direct questions regarding admissions to apply@csusm.edu.
