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First-Year Student Admission Process
Applying to Sacramento State as a First-Year Student
Apply for the Spring 2026 semester beginning August 1 - August 31
Apply for the Fall 2026 semester beginning October 1 - November 30
The deadline to submit the application fee waiver is August 30. Please email the completed Application Fee Waiver Form to: adm-processing@csus.edu
Requirements for First-Year Applicants
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. The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses. If accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses.
- 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.
| Area | A-G Pattern Subject | Years |
|---|---|---|
| A | History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science) | 2 |
| B | English (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature) | 4 |
| C | Math (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year) | 3 |
| D | Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science) | 2 |
| E | Language Other Than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable | 2 |
| F | Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art) | 1 |
| G | College Preparatory Elective (additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list) | 1 |
| Total | 15 | |
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.
Category 1 - California Applicants (2,500)
Category 2 - 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:
- Completion of A-G courses beyond the minimum
- Low-income background
- First-generation college status
- Work experience
- Participation in college advocacy programs
- 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 deadline. For up-to-date ITE Deadlines, check the First-Year Student Admission Checklist.
Note: Failure to complete your ITE by the deadline will result in your application being canceled.
Watch How to Submit Your Intent to Enroll
- Check your To-Do list on My Sac State Student Student Center
- Check upcoming deadlines in the First-Year Student Admission Checklist
- Complete ALEKS PPL if required by your chosen major
- Complete Directed Self-Placement
- Course registration and academic advising take place during the mandatory New Student Orientation. Visit the New Student Orientation website for more details.
- Apply to Disability Access Center (DAC) 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) (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
The Welcome Center
Next to Parking Structure 5
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm
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 Deferment Request
An admitted student who has cleared all admission conditions and has submitted all official transcripts may request a deferment of their admissions one time per academic year. The request must be for extenuating circumstances. Students may not defer admissions to attend another college. After deferment has been approved, students may not change to a different term, even within an academic term. Deferred students must maintain admission eligibility and meet all applicable deadlines.
- The deadline for Fall admitted students to defer to the Spring term is August 15.
- The deadline for Spring admitted students to defer to the Fall term is January 15.