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MANAGEMENT
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Admissions & Student Outreach

Transfer Student

Transfer Admission Criteria

Lower-division and Upper-division Students

A transfer applicant is a prospective student who has taken college courses after the summer following their high school graduation. CSUSM accepts applications from lower-division* and upper-division transfer applicants.

  • Lower-division: applicants who have completed fewer than 60 semeter (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered lower-division, and must submit official high school and college transcripts.
  • Upper-division: applicants who have completed 60 or more (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered upper-division, and must submit official college transcripts only.

In addition, lower-division and upper-division applicants must submit official AP/IB test scores, if using them to meet admission requirements.  

*The Nursing program does not accept lower division transfer applicants. 

Lower-Division Transfer Admission Requirements

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C-) or better in all transferable units attempted;
  • Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in written communication and a course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying CSU GE Breadth Areas A2 and B4 requirements, respectively;
  • Be in good standing at the last institution attended; and
  • The applicant meets the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term for which the application is submitted.

Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

  • Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • In good standing at the last institution of attendance
  • Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in written communication and a course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying CSU GE Breadth Areas A2 and B4 requirements, respectively.
Important note regarding admissions criteria
  • Spring admission requirements must be completed by the end of the preceding summer term.
    Courses completed in fall will not be considered for spring admission.

  • Fall admission requirements listed above must be completed by the end of the preceding spring term.
    Courses completed in summer will not be considered for fall admission.

Local Admission Area Applicants

A transfer applicant is considered to be in our local admissions area if their last school of attendance is Palomar, MiraCosta, Mt. San Jacinto, or Imperial Valley College.

Prospective students from outside of CSUSM's local admission area are welcome to apply for admission during the priority application period. However, because we often receive more applicants than we have available spots, they will only be considered if enrollment space is available after local service area applicants have been accommodated. Read more about local and non-local admission area, impaction criteria and impacted majors.

Apply for Admission

Submit an application along with the $70 application fee to Cal State San Marcos on Cal State Apply.  You will receive an email confirmation once your application has been submitted.

See How to Apply page for deadlines. 

Apply to CSUSM!

After you apply...

Before February 15: Submit official IB or AP test results if scores are needed to fulfill the A2 or B4 General Education requirement or 60 units of completed college credits.

Show All
  • Check Your Application Status on MyCSUSM
     

    MyCSUSM is an online student portal which provides you access to your student records, including the status of your application for admission, transcripts and other admissions materials.  Shortly after you submit your application, you will receive an email from the Student Technology Help Desk with instructions on how to access MyCSUSM.

    If you are having trouble logging into MyCSUSM, please contact the Student Technology Help Desk at stuacctmgt@csusm.edu.

    Visit MyCSUSM and check your emails frequently for important information and updates!

  • Maintain Your Eligibility
     

    Admission is based on information reported on official transcripts and self-reported information for planned and in-progress coursework from your application. Once you have been conditionally admitted, we verify this information against your final official transcripts. Please make sure to report accurate information.

    Your admission may be rescinded for any of the following reasons:

    • Your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0
    • You earn D or F grades in any coursework needed to complete the required A2 or B4 General Education requirements. 
    • You misreport and do not complete a required course
  • Update Your Email and Mailing Address
    Important information from CSUSM will be communicated to you via e-mail. It is imperative that we have your correct email and mailing addresses. To update your information, go to your Student Center on MyCSUSM and under 'General Information', edit account details.