Future Students

Image: Photos of SF State students and scenes from around campus

How to Apply - First-Time Freshmen

If you have decided to attend SF State, you've made an excellent choice. A first-time freshman is a student who has earned no transferable college credit after the summer immediately following high school graduation.* If that's you, you're in the right place. If you completed college units after graduation from high school, you are considered a transfer student and must meet those requirements

Getting Started

Here you'll learn about entrance requirements, what programs have early deadlines, what residency requirements are, and more. And you can talk with the friendly staff in Student Outreach Services if you have questions or concerns.

As big as SF State is, you won't get lost. With the help of our Advising Center and other support services at SF State, we'll do our best to help make sure you do your best. With assistance from faculty and staff who really care about your success, you will find SF State a supportive academic environment that can take you as far as you are willing to go. Welcome to San Francisco State!

*Note: You may enroll in college courses the summer after high school graduation before you enroll at SF State the following fall.

On This Page . . .

How to Apply

Apply online through CSUMentor; it's the easiest and fastest way to apply.

Back to top

When to Apply

The earliest you can begin applying to San Francisco State depends on the semester in which you'd like to begin attending classes.

Fall Semester

The priority filing period is October 1 through November 30 of the previous year, but be sure to check our Dates + Deadlines section for application deadlines that may be extended beyond the priority filing period in any given year.

Spring Semester

The priority filing period is August 1 through 31 of the previous year, but be sure to check our Dates + Deadlines section for application deadlines that may be extended beyond the priority filing period in any given year.

Summer Semester

Students who are admitted without conditions for fall may attend SF State's summer semester.

Back to top

Special Admissions Programs

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

San Francisco State's Educational Opportunity Program is designed for low-income undergraduate students who are California residents and are disadvantaged because of their economic and/or educational backgrounds. Students with a history of low income and who need academic assistance may apply for the program. EOP accepts students who do not meet regular admission criteria, as well as those who qualify for regular admission. The CSU EOP information page has more details.

Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars Program is a competitive program for a select group of newly admitted freshmen each fall. Selection as a scholar is based on academic merit (minimum GPA of 3.8) and carries a renewable scholarship covering a full year of university academic fees.

Other Study Options

Find out about SF State's other special admissions and enrollment opportunities.

Back to top

Ensuring a Quick Admissions Decision

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Apply online at www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/ during the filing period (see above). Applications received electronically can be processed much more quickly, giving you a faster admissions decision.
  • Pay the $55 (non-refundable) application fee by credit card online to further speed processing or complete the online fee waiver available with the CSUMentor application.
  • Answer all questions on the application completely and accurately; quick admission is based on self-reported information.
  • Submit official SAT or ACT test scores. Only your official scores are compared to your self-reported high school GPA.
  • If you are not a U.S. Citizen, send a copy of both sides of your Permanent Resident ("green") Card.
  • SF State communicates with students via e-mail. Make sure to read all e-mail messages and pay careful attention to transcript deadlines.
  • Check your application status to ensure all supporting materials have been received.

Back to top

Entrance Requirements

You are eligible for first-time freshman admission if you:

  1. Have or will have graduated from high school; have a GED, or have completed the California High School Proficiency Exam.
  2. Meet the eligibility index with your grade point average and ACT/SAT test scores. The eligibility index is a weighted combination of high school grade point average and college preparatory subjects taken during the first three years of high school and a score on either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT).
    • For California residents a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT is required. See the resident eligibility index table.
    • For non-resident a minimum index of 3502 using the SAT or 842 using the ACT is required. See the non-resident eligibility index table.
  3. Have or will have completed, with a grade of C or better in each course, a 15-unit comprehensive pattern of college preparatory work.
    • English: 4 years
    • Mathematics: 3 years; algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra.
    • Social Science/History: 2 years, including 1 year U.S. History or U.S. History and government.
    • Science: 2 years; 1 year biological and 1 year physical with labs.
    • Language other than English: 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).
    • Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year-long course: Art, dance drama/theater or music.
    • Electives: 1 year; Selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science/history, science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or agriculture.

If you are applying for fall admission, all requirements must be completed by the end of the spring semester. Work completed during the summer session cannot be used to meet admission requirements for the fall term.

For additional information and planning, go to the CSU Mentor, Plan for College website.

For information regarding Fall 2009 CSU Systemwide Impaction and SF State, and to find out how it may affect you, please go to: http://www.sfsu.edu/news/2008/fall/33.html.

Back to top

Early Admissions

SF State may offer you early, conditional admission based on your work completed through your junior year of high school and coursework in progress for your senior year. You must submit a transcript showing final grades and graduation from high school before you begin attending SF State classes, to verify that you meet all admission requirements. If the University does not receive your transcript and all other required documents by the deadline, your admission to SF State will be rescinded.

Back to top

Impacted Programs

A major is designated impacted when more applications are received in the priority filing period than can be accepted. Nursing, Apparel Design and Merchandising, Interior Design and Social Work are the impacted programs at SF State. Applications for impacted programs are not accepted from freshman applicants.

Back to top

Programs with Special Application Deadlines

San Francisco State has several high-demand programs with special application deadlines. The following majors accept applications only for fall semester during the open filing period, October 1 through November 30 of the previous year. For more information about major requirements, please contact the department.

Radio and Television (Broadcasting and Electronic Communication Arts)

Accepts applications for both fall and spring semesters. Applications are to be submitted during the fall and spring priority filing periods. The fall priority filing period is Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. The spring priority filing period is August 1 through August 31. For more information about the major requirements visit www.sfsu.edu/~beca or call (415)338-1787.

Back to top

Immunizations

SF State requires that all students provide proof of immunization against Measles, Rubella and Hepatitis B before being allowed to register for classes.

Note: Students who were enrolled in a California public schools for the seventh grade or higher on or after July 1, 1999 will not have to provide proof of immunization.

For complete information concerning immunization requirements and to print a copy of the proof of immunization form, please go to the Student Health Service.

California Residency

California residents pay significantly lower registration fees than non-residents at California's public colleges and universities.

You are eligible for resident status only if you:

  1. have established and maintained residence in California at least one year prior to the following residence determination dates: January 25 for Spring semester; June 1 for Summer semester; September 20 for Fall semester
  2. are a U.S. citizen, are a legal immigrant, or hold a specific visa and
  3. have demonstrated evidence of intent to make California your permanent home

Read more about California Residency for Tuition Purposes.

Back to top

Exemptions from Paying Nonresident Tuition

Any student, other than a non-immigrant alien, who meets all of the requirements below, shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the California community colleges, the California State University and the University of California (all public colleges and universities in California) under AB 540.

Requirements of AB 540

To be exempt, the student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three (3) or more years. The student must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or California High School Proficiency exam).

To take advantage of the exemption, a student who is without lawful immigration status must file an affidavit with the college or university stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

Students who are non-immigrants -- for example, those who hold F (student) visas, B (visitor) visas, etc. -- are not eligible for this exemption.

Students who wish to file an exemption request must include a signed affidavit with the college that indicates the student has met all applicable conditions described above. Student information obtained in this process is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required under the law.

Students eligible for this exemption who are transferring to another California public college or university must submit a new request (and documentation if required) to each college under consideration.

Nonresident students meeting the criteria will be exempted from the payment of nonresident tuition, but they will not be classified as California residents. They will continue to be "nonresidents."

AB540 does not provide student financial aid eligibility for undocumented students. These students remain ineligible for state and federal financial aid.

Read more about AB 540.

Back to top

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all prospective students, regardless of citizenship, who have not attended schools at the high school level or above for at least three years of full-time study where English is the principal language of instruction.

Read more about TOEFL.

Back to top

Frequently Asked Questions by First-Time Freshmen

When will I hear about my application?

You will receive an immediate confirmation via e-mail once you submit the CSU Mentor application. The Office of Undergraduate Admission will notify you via e-mail within five to 10 working days if you apply during the early to middle part of the priority filing period. If you apply later than that, it may take us a little longer because of the increased volume of applications.

How soon will I know if I am admitted?

SF State may offer admission based on the information you self-report on your application compared to your official SAT or ACT test scores. Otherwise you may be asked to submit a high school transcript reflecting all work completed to date for review.

When should I submit my high school transcript?

If you have already graduated from high school by the time you apply, submit the final transcripts showing evidence of graduation immediately. If you have not yet graduated from high school, SF State will notify you if we need an in-progress transcript. Otherwise you will be asked to submit a final transcript by a specific deadline showing the date of your graduation.

When do I have to tell SF State that I am planning to attend the University?

Newly admitted students must indicate their enrollment plans by May 1 for fall semesters and by November 15 for spring semesters. To file your Intent to Register at SF State, go to the SF State Application Status Web site. The Intent to Register process will enable SF State to know who is planning to attend the University during the upcoming year. For specific dates and other information about "Intent to Register," go to the Office of the Registrar's Intent to Register Q & A.

Back to top

Forms

Find forms online that are applicable to SF State applicants.

Back to top

SF State Home