California State University (CSU) Application Guide
Let Us Help You Transfer to a CSU
Welcome to the SAC University Transfer Center's California State University (CSU) Application Guide.
Are you interested in applying for transfer to a CSU campus? Check out resources below and schedule an appointment with a counselor. We have counselors to assist you with meeting all necessary requirements and staff available to assist with your application. We are here for you every step of the way!
With 23 campuses statewide, the California State University system is the nation's largest four-year public university system. Over the past five years, an average of 731 SAC students enrolled in a CSU campuses. Top CSU transfer campuses include: Fullerton, Long Beach, and Dominguez Hills. We offer programs such as the SAC Promise, which guarantees admission to CSU Fullerton for qualified students with a certain GPA. You could be next!
Click here to search for degrees offered at CSU campuses.
Steps to Apply
- Gather your materials. Here's what you'll need:
- Unofficial Transcripts. You'll be asked the enter all courses you've completed, those currently in progress, and any you plan to take.
- Your Social Security Number. If you have one.
- Your Citizenship Status.
- Credit Card or PayPal Account.
- Annual Income. Your parents if you are a dependent, your income if you are independent.
- CCCID and Campus Number. Required for ADT applicants from a California community college. These numbers should be printed on your transcript. To request your CCCID, you can call the California Community College’s Help Desk at 1-877-247-4836 or email them at support@openccc.net.
- Parent employment background and two recommendations. Applies only if you are applying to EOP.
- Click here to fill out the application.
- Create an account to begin working on the application using the guides above.
- For assistance, feel free to contact the University Transfer Center or attend a workshop to review your application.
- Submit, then check your email and portals often!
- Once you submit your application, you will receive application acknowledgement communication from each campus that you applied to. In that acknowledgement, the campus will let you know how to set up your online student portal at the campus. Be sure to check your portals and email often so that you do not miss a deadline.
CSU Transfer Requirements
To be admitted as an Upper Division Transfer Student (UDT), you must complete the following requirements:
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a minimum of 60 semester units of transferable coursework;
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have an overall college GPA of 2.00; your GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted
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be in good standing at the last college or university attended (i.e. you are eligible to re-enroll in at your last college or university);
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Have completed 10 courses (30 semester units) of CSU GE courses with a C- or better, and specifically, your Golden Four courses (Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.
CSU Application Timelines
| October 1 |
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| November 30* |
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| December |
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| January |
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| February |
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| March |
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| May 1 |
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| July |
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| NOTE:Students must complete their "Golden Four" courses by the end of spring term prior to fall admission (source). Deadlines may vary by campus. Carefully read all correspondence from CSU campuses. | |
| August 1 |
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| August 31 |
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| September |
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| NOTE:Students must complete their "Golden Four" courses by the end of summer term prior to fall admission (source). Not all CSU campuses and majors are open for spring admissions. Check with the University Transfer Center or CSU website for updates. | |
Accepting a CSU admission offer:
If you have been accepted, the following steps are to be completed:
- Must submit your "Intent to Register" by the campus deadline, along with a deposit. Each campus will notify you via your portal account. Many campuses require you to sign up for a new student orientation by a specific date.
- Submit your final community college transcript (s) by the given deadline.
- Continue checking your student portal for other information such as orientation, housing, or other programs.
- Submit AP test scores to the CSU campus that you will be attending.