Future Students

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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

*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 . . .

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Getting Started

How to Apply

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

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 specific to the semester you are applying for.

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 specific to the semester you are applying for.

Summer Semester

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

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Am I Eligible?

For a printable .pdf that outlines freshmen eligibility requirements for Fall 2010, go to: www.sfsu.edu/future/apply/fresheligibility.pdf

You are eligible to have your application reviewed by SF State if you meet the following criteria:

  1. You are a high school graduate, or equivalent
  2. You complete the required high school courses with grades of "C-" or better in:
    • a. History/Social Science - 2 years required- including one year of US History or US History/US Government.
    • b. English - 4 years required - Composition and Literature.
    • c. Mathematics - 3 years required (4 years recommended) - Algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra; or integrated mathematics.
    • d. Laboratory Science - 2 years required (3 years recommended) - One year of biological and one year of physical science both with lab.
    • e. Language Other Than English - 2 years required - Study in the same language.
    • f. Visual and Performing Arts - 1 year required - Select a year-long course from art, theatre/drama, music or dance.
    • g. Elective - 1 year required - Select from the areas a-f or from other approved college prep "a-g" courses.
  3. Take and submit your SAT or ACT test scores
    • All freshmen applicants will be required to submit SAT (critical reading and math) or ACT composite scores from a test taken no later than the December 2009 test dates. Note: The writing portion of the SAT or ACT is not used for admission or placement purposes.
  4. You meet or exceed the minimum eligibility index
    • The eligibility index is a weighted combination of high school grade point average during the final three years of high school and a score on either the SAT or ACT. To make a preliminary admission decision, all grades earned in "a-g" courses taken in 10th through 11th grades are used to calculate the high school grade point average (GPA).
    • Graduates of California high schools or residents of California, as defined for tuition purposes, must have a minimum eligibility index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. Nonresidents who are not graduates of a California high school must have a minimum index of 3502 using the SAT or 842 using the ACT
    • The CSU eligibility index is calculated by using either the SAT or ACT as follows:
      • SAT (scores in mathematics and critical reading) + (800 x GPA)
      • -or-
      • (10 x ACT composite score without the writing score) + (200 x GPA)

Residents of California Minimum Eligibility

GPA 2.00 2.50 2.80 2.99 3.00+
SAT 1300 900 660 510 Must submit test scores. Eligible for consideration with GPA above 3.00 and necessary course requirements.
ACT 30 20 14 10 Must submit test scores. Eligible for consideration with GPA above 3.00 and necessary course requirements.

Choice of major and application review

SF State is an impacted campus, therefore eligibility for admission is based on:

  1. Minimum CSU eligibility standards
  2. Location of the applicant's high school

Applicants should carefully select their intended majors. Change of major during the application process is prohibited.

"Local" and "non-local" students

SF State is committed to giving residents in six local area counties priority in the admission process. Local applicants are students who will graduate from a high school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara.

Local applicants are guaranteed admission provided they apply by 11:59PM PST on November 30, 2009, comply with all posted deadlines and meet CSU eligibility requirements. CSU-eligible local applicants applying for admission in impacted majors will be offered admission as an Undeclared major.

Non-local applicants are students who will graduate from a high school located outside of the six counties listed above.

Admission is offered to non-local applicants based on the overall space available and may require a higher eligibility index.

Non-residents of California and international applicants must meet higher minimum standard, regardless of major.

Have a back-up plan!

Out of area applicants to SF State should have a back-up plan at an alternative campus that offers the desired major.

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 immediately following high school graduation 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.

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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.

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Notification

Notification for Fall 2010 applicants will begin in November/December, 2009 for local area students. Notification for out-of-area students will begin in January/February, 2010. San Francisco State University will communicate admissions decisions, deadlines and other important information regarding your application status via email. Remember to check your email often for important admissions messages from SF State.

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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.

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Impacted Programs

A major is designated impacted when more applications are received in the priority filing period than can be accepted. First-Time Freshmen cannot apply to the following impacted majors: Apparel Design and Merchandising, Interior Design, Nursing, Psychology and Social Work. Freshmen interested in these majors should apply to the Pre-major if available or apply as Undeclared. First-Time Freshmen may apply to the Journalism major with a supplemental application. See below for more information on impacted majors:

Apparel Design and Merchandising

  • Upper Division Students only may apply
  • Additional supplemental application information required: cfsd.sfsu.edu/programs.aspx
  • Pre-Major: For students interested in Apparel Design and Merchandising. Note that Pre-Major status does not guarantee that students will be eligible for the major. Pre-major students will need to apply for the major during their 2nd year.

Interior Design

  • Upper Division Students only may apply
  • Additional supplemental application information required: cfsd.sfsu.edu/programs.aspx
  • Pre-Major: For students interested in Interior Design. Note that Pre-Major status does not guarantee that students will be eligible for the major. Pre-major students will need to apply for the major during their 2nd year.

Dietetics (Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics)

Journalism (College of Humanities)

  • Open to both First-time Freshmen and Upper Division Transfers
  • Additional supplemental application required: www.journalism.sfsu.edu

Nursing

  • Visit the School of Nursing website to determine which program to apply to: www.nursing.sfsu.edu/prospective_students.aspx
  • On-Campus Program (California Residents Only)
  • Off-Campus (Sequoia Hospital) Program
  • Advanced Placement Option: On-campus program for applicants who are already Registered Nurses.
  • Upper-division Transfers only may apply
  • Additional supplemental application information required: www.nursing.sfsu.edu/prospective_students_info.aspx
  • Pre-Nursing: For First-time Freshmen interested in nursing. Note that Pre-Nursing status does not guarantee that students will be eligible for the major. Pre-Nursing students will need to apply for the major during their 2nd year.

Psychology (College of Behavioral and Social Sciences)

  • Upper Division Transfers only may apply
  • No additional supplemental application required; applicants will be ranked according to data provided on the CSU Mentor application and on official transcripts
  • More information about the department can be found at: bss.sfsu.edu/psych/
  • First-time Freshmen interested in Psychology should apply as undeclared. Students will need to apply to Psychology during their 2nd year. Note that interested students will compete for eligibility to the Psychology major based on criteria established by the Psychology Department faculty.

Social Work

  • Upper Division Transfers only may apply
  • Additional supplemental application information required: http://socwork.sfsu.edu/BASW.aspx
  • First-time Freshmen may not declare Social Work as a major at the time of application. They may apply to Social Work during their sophomore year. If accepted, they may declare Social Work as a major in their junior year.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Required Placement Tests

Admitted CSU students are required to take placement tests prior to enrollment. All CSU undergraduates except those who meet certain exemption requirements must complete both the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) and English Placement Test (EPT). If you have applied to SF State go to www.sfsu.edu/admit to check your admission status and what placement tests you are required to complete prior to attending SF State.

Please note you may take your required placement tests at any CSU campus; you do not need to test specifically at SF State. However, you will need to designate your scores to be sent to SF State.

Sign up to take the ELM/EPT tests:

  • For infomation and to sign up to take the ELM/EPT test at SF State, please visit the SF State Testing Center website at http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing.
  • For information about all CSU testing sites, please visit the California State University Placement Tests section of the ETS website: http://www.ets.org/csu. Click on "Test Administration," then "Test Dates."

ELM/EPT Resources:

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Intent to Register

Newly admitted students who plan to attend San Francisco State must indicate their enrollment plans. The initial Intent to Register window is April 1 to May 1. Students admitted after this period will have two weeks after their date of admission to file their Intent to Register. To file your Intent to Register please go to the SFSU Application Status Web site, www.sfsu.edu/admit/.

The online "Intent to Register" process will enable SFSU to know earlier than usual who is planning to attend the University during the upcoming year. It allows students to lock in their choice of attending San Francisco State. At the same time, it enables the University to plan for the students who will be here. The departments will be able to determine whether they need to adjust their class schedules to accommodate the incoming students.

For more information on "Intent to Register" including with frequently asked questions, please visit: http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/ITRfaq.html

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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.

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Forms

Find forms online that are applicable to SF State applicants.

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