First-Time Freshman Admission Process

Applying to Sacramento State as a First-Time Freshman

Apply Online during the priority application filing period.

Fall Admission Cycle for Incoming First-Time Freshman: Oct 1, 2020 – Jan 8, 2021 (Application period is now closed.)

Apply Online

Fall 2021 Requirements for Freshman Applicants

For the Fall 2021 term, California State University and Sacramento State will temporarily suspend usage of the standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as part of admission consideration. Therefore, students who have successfully completed the A-G curriculum outlined below and who have a qualifying A-G admission index will be considered for admission. Sacramento State is an impacted campus and students in the non-local area will be considered for admission on a space-available basis.

• Must be a high school graduate
• Have a qualifying Admission Index
• Complete the fifteen-unit comprehensive “A-G” course pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with grades of C or better.

CSU Requirements Guide

Admission Index

To calculate the admission index, we will use the formula: (A-G GPA) X (1,000) = Admission Index. Applicants in the following categories and students who meet the required Admission Index will be considered for admission. Students in the local admission area will be given priority consideration for admission.

Category 1 - Local Area Applicants (2,500)
Category 2 - California Non-local Applicants ( 2,750)
Category 3 - Out-of-State Applicants (3,000)

Multi-Factor Admission Criteria

Students who do not meet the initial Admission Index may be considered based on additional factors if they have a minimum Admission Index of a 2,000 for category 1 and 2 students or 2,500 for Category 3 students. Students may be considered based on available space with the following additional factors:

1. Completion of A-G courses beyond the minimum
2. Low-income background
3. First-generation college status
4. Work experience
5. Participation in college advocacy programs
6. Extracurricular participation and leadership

Local Admission Area

A student who has graduated from a high school in one of the following counties is considered in our local admission area: Sacramento, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, San Joaquin, Sierra, Solano or Yolo County.

Before Applying To Sacramento State

All applicants must have all of the following items below:

• A copy of your unofficial transcripts ready before filling out the application. Students will be asked to enter all the courses that have been completed on the CSU application; those that are currently in progress; and any courses you plan to take. Transcripts will be requested by campuses as needed.
• Test scores (SAT, ACT, AP or IB), any updated test results, and any future test dates.
• Estimated number of hours spent per week at work, student activities and leadership activities.
• Applicant's Social Security number, if applicable
• Applicant's citizenship status. (Citizenship status for the student or parents does not dismiss or qualify a student for admission to Sacramento State.)
• A method of payment (can be paid by credit card)
• The annual income of applicant's parents’ if they are a dependent; your income if you are independent
• Applicant’s parents’ employment background and two letters of recommendation (Note: This only applies if you’re applying to EOP)
• California statewide student ID (optional); every K-12 student in a California public school is assigned an ID number. The number should be printed on your transcript.

After You Have Applied for Admission

Once you have applied to Sacramento State, there are further actions you must take to ensure that you remain eligible for the university.

• Complete the fifteen-unit comprehensive “A-G” course pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with grades of C or better.

After Admission Decisions Are Made

• Accept/Decline your admission by completing your Intent to Enroll (ITE) through My Sac State Student Center as soon as you know you will be attending Sac State and no later than the extended deadline, May 1st. (Note: Failure to complete your ITE by the deadline will result in your application being withdrawn from consideration.)
• Check your To-Do list on My Sac State Student Student Center
• Download your First Time Freshman Admission Checklist
• Complete ALEKS PPL if required by your chosen major
• Complete Directed Self-Placement
• Complete the two-step New Student Orientation process.
  • Complete Hornet Pre-Orientation. This is an online introduction to Sac State that is available through MySacState.
  • Register for New Student Orientation via MySacState - Student Center before deadline in June.
• Due to COVID-19, Early Start is not required this year
• Apply to Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) if you need any special accommodations
• Submit the CSU immunization requirement
• Submit all required admission documents including final transcripts and official transcripts and official test scores (AP, IB, and CLEP) – Due by July 15^th (Note: All admission decisions are considered “conditional” until final transcripts are received, reviewed, and certified)

Learn more about “Conditional Admission”

How To Deliver Official Transcripts

Electronic Transcripts
Sacramento State accepts and prefers official electronic transcripts (e-transcripts) from other institutions.
Official e-transcripts must be sent directly from your high school/college to our campus via email at incomingtranscripts@csus.edu. (Faxes are not permitted)

Mail official sealed hard copy transcripts
Sacramento State
Admissions & Outreach
6000 J Street MS 6048
Sacramento, CA 95819

Drop off official sealed hard copy transcripts
Student Service Center Document Drop Box
Lassen Hall, Outside Room #1000
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Admission Appeal

If you have been notified that you were not admitted, please take a moment to review CSU admission requirements. Please submit an appeal within 15 days of the notice of non-admission.

Admission Appeal Process