Exemptions
Fulfilling the Cougar Scholars: Early Start Requirements
Freshmen are encouraged to complete their Cougar Scholars: Early Start program activities at Cal State San Marcos. This will afford them an opportunity to integrate into campus life and will provide the smoothest transition to their fall English or math instruction.
On November 20, 2017, the CSU Chancellor’s Office issued an Implementation Guidance for Executive Order 1110, which provides multiple measures that will be used for incoming first time freshman. Multiple measures are divided into four categories.
CSU Placement of First Year Students
TYPE | ENGLISH | MATHEMATICS |
---|---|---|
SAT |
A score of 500 or above on the SAT Verbal section - Prior to March 2016. A score of 550 or above on the English portion of the NEW SAT exam - Effective March 2016. |
A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT or on the College Board SAT Subject Tests-Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (Calculator), II, or IIC (Calculator) - Prior to March 2016. A score of 570 or above on the Math portion of the NEW SAT exam - Effective March 2016. |
ACT | Score of 22 or higher | Score of 23 or higher |
Early Assessment Program (EAP) | "Exempt" or "Ready for college-level English" | "Exempt" or "Ready for college-level mathematics course" |
EAP Conditional Status |
ACT 19-21, NEW SAT 510-540, Old SAT 460-490 Conditionally exempt score and passing your CSU approved senior year English course with a grade of "C-" or better for both semesters. |
ACT 20-22, NEW SAT 520-560, Old SAT 490-540 Conditionally exempt score and passing your CSU approved senior year math course with a grade of "C-" or better for both semesters. Must complete a CSU approved senior year Math Experience course. |
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam | Score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or Composition and Literature AP exam. | Score of 3, 4, or 5 on on the AP Calculus (AB or BC) or AP Statistics exams. |
Weighted High School GPA |
Weighted High School GPA greater than 3.3 OR Weighted High School GPA greater than 3.0 AND completed approved senior year-long english course/an AP, IB, ERWC, or Honors English course or 5+ years of English |
Non-STEM/Undeclared: Weighted HS GPA greater than or equal 3.7 OR Weighted HS GPA greater than or equal 3.5 plus 4+ years of Math or Quantitative Reasoning OR Weighted HS MATH GPA* greater than or equal 3.0 plus completed an approved senior year course or 5+ years of Math or Quantitative Reasoning STEM/Pre-STEM: Weighted HS GPA greater than or equal 3.7 OR Weighted HS MATH GPA* greater than or equal 3.5 PLUS completed an approved senior year course or 5+ years of Math or Quantitative Reasoning *Calculation includes 9th, 10th and 11th grade math courses completed in Area C and quantitative reasoning courses completed in Area G as reported on the CalState Apply application. Note: algebra 1 and geometry courses taken in middle school and reported on the CalState Apply application will also be included. |
Exemptions
The following students will not be strongly recommended to participate in Early Start:
- International students and residents of other states;
- Students participating in the EOP, ACE and CAMP summer programs;
- Students admitted after August 1;
- EAP Conditionally Exempt students who took and passed the correct CSU approved senior-year courses
- Students may appeal based on circumstances beyond their control.