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PRE-ADMISSION - FAQ

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

• General Admission Questions
• Specific CSU Application Questions
• Testing and Additional Requirements
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Questions
• Housing Questions

GENERAL ADMISSION QUESTIONS

FOR ALL STUDENTS

1. How do I go about applying to the University? When should I apply? Do I send my application and transcripts together?
2. How will students be selected?
3. What if a student is not admitted?
4. Is there an appeal process?
5. 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?
6. Should I send my transcript(s) with my application?

7. How high of a GPA and SAT scores do I need to get into CSUSM?
8. What if I am not admitted?

8. What is the grade point average a transfer student will need for admission?
9. I have an AA degree; does that mean I have done all my general education courses?

SPECIFIC CSU APPLICATION QUESTIONS

FOR FRESHMAN

1. 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?
2. I am a high school student taking a class at a community college. Where do I enter this information on the CSU admission application?
3. My transcript has a weighted cumulative 10-12 GPA. Should I use that in the application?
4. 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?
5. 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?

6. If I get a D in a college level course, will it transfer?
7. I am a transfer student. I don’t need SAT I or ACT scores, do I?
8. I am a transfer student. Why do I have to turn in my high school transcripts?

9. Do I need a separate application for each CSU that I am applying to?
10. 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?
11. 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
12. What is a credential program? I’ve never heard of it, so I don’t know if I am interested in it or not.

TESTING AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. What are the test requirements for admission to CSUSM
2. Are there additional test requirements I must fulfill to enroll in CSUSM?
3. What is a TOEFL test and do I need to take it?

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (EOP) QUESTIONS

1. What is EOP? How do I qualify for the program? What does the program offer?
2. How do I apply for EOP admissions?
3. If my parent(s) or guardian(s) has just been laid off from his/her job, can I still submit an EOP application?
4. 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?
5. I’m an EOP student from another CSU. Do I need to apply for EOP at CSU San Marcos?

HOUSING QUESTIONS

1. What are the housing options?

RESPONSES TO ALL FAQs

General Admission Questions

1. How do I go about applying to the University? When should I apply? Do I send my application and transcripts together? You would send in a completed application along with the application fee to the Office of Admissions. Students planning to attend the University in the fall should apply in November of the preceding year, and in August if they chose to start in the spring. 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. First time freshmen should request that a transcript be sent at the same time that you send 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.
   

2. 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.
   

3. 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.
   

4. 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.
   

5. How high of a GPA and SAT scores do I need to get into CSUSM? The CSU eligibility index determine 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.
   

6. 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.
   

7. 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.
   

8. 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.
   

9. 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.
   

10. 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.
    

1. 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.
   

2. 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.
   

3. 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.
   

4. 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.
   

5. 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.
   

6. 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.
   

7. 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.
   

8. 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.
   

9. 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.
   

10. 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.
    

11. 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.
    

12. 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.

1. 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, SDSU 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).
   

2. 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.
   

3. 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.

1. 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.
   

2. 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.

   Please visit the CSUSM's Educational Opportunity Program web site for EOP application deadlines and more information.
   

3. 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.
   

4. 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.
   

5. 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.

1. What are the housing options? On-Campus: 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 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.

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