I Want to Apply
First Time Freshmen
First time freshmen are students who have earned no college credit following high school.
Spring 2014 is NOT open for Freshmen applications. Please apply for Fall 2014.
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Before you learn specifics about how to apply, check out this short video about getting into Sacramento State
The following is for informational purposes only:
You will qualify for regular admission as a first-time freshman if you:
- Are a high school graduate
- Have a qualifiable Eligibility Index
- Complete the fifteen-unit comprehensive “a-g” course pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with grades of C or better.
1. High School Graduate
For more information on the high school graduation requirement, click here.
2. Eligibility Index
The eligibility index is the combination of your high school grade point average and your test score on either the SAT or ACT.
SAT (scores in mathematics and critical reading) + (800 x high school grade point average)
10 x ACT composite score (without the writing score) + (200 x high school grade point average)
*California residents within our local admission area must have a minimum index of 2900 using SAT scores or 694 using ACT scores. Eligibility for California residents outside our local admission area will be determined by the characteristics of the applicant pool after all applications are collected. Non-California residents must have a minimum index of 3502 using SAT or 842 using ACT scores.
* Local admission area: A student who graduated from a high school in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Solano, or Yolo county is considered in our local admission area.
GPA
Your grade point average is based on grades earned during 10th through 12th grades of college prep courses. You may receive bonus points for each C or better in approved honors or AP courses.
Honors
Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last two years of high school can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.
3. Subject Requirements
The CSU requires first-time freshman applicants to complete with a grade of C or better the following comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A "unit" is one year of study in high school:
Subject Requirements| Area | Subject | Units | |
| A | History/Social Science | 2 years | Must Include one year of US History and government |
| B | English | 4 years | |
| C | Mathematics* | 3 years | (Algebra, Geometry, and Intermediate algebra) |
| D | Laboratory Science* | 2 years |
(One Biological, one Physical; both with a lab) |
| E | Language other than English* | 2 years | Subject to waiver; must demonstrate equivalent competence |
| F | Visual Performing Arts (VPA) | 1 year | Must be a year-long VPA course in a single area |
| G | College Prep Elective |
1 year | Selected from the above areas or other approved A-G courses |
* Additional units recommended.
For a list of your school's approved A-G courses visit:https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ .
For complete details on subject requirements visit:www.CSUmentor.edu .
Important: All admission requirements must be met by the end of Summer. Fall classes may not be used to complete admission for Spring.
Must know for new applicants
Apply during priority application filing period.
Have an unofficial copy of your high school transcript handy when you complete your application for admission. Your admissions decision will be based on self reported information entered on the application—Accuracy is critical!
Take SAT and or ACT no later than December of your Senior Year.
| TBD | Priority dates to submit application for admission |
| TBD | Deadline to submit application fee or application fee waiver |
| TBD | Deadline to submit SAT or ACT test scores |
| TBD | Check My Sac State for admissions decision |
Failure to adhere to any of the above deadlines will result in your application for admission being removed from consideration.
Tips from Sacramento State Admissions Counselors:
Set up your CSU Mentor account early at www.csumentor.edu
- Explore all 23 CSU campuses
- Complete the High School Planner
- Get accurate GPA calculations (grades 10-12)
Be sure to contact your Sacramento State Regional Representative
Regional Representatives will visit designated high schools, and it is important to attend a session if one is held at your campus.
Take a campus tour: http://www.csus.edu/admissions/Campus%20Tours/index.html
Applying for Financial Aid? Be sure to report the correct social security number on your Admission application so that the Financial Aid Office can download your FAFSA with no delays!
Additional Admissions Programs at Sacramento State
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
