Future Students

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

How to Apply - Transfer

If you've decided to transfer to SF State, you've made an excellent choice. With advising support, orientation programs, and other student services, we are here to help you make a smooth transition to one of the nation's leading public urban universities. At SF State you can discover yourself and develop your talents in a city rich with culture and opportunity. Here, as an undergraduate, you will take classes from faculty members whose first priority is excellent teaching. Welcome to San Francisco State!

On This Page . . .

This page contains links that require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The reader may be downloaded at the following url: http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/

Kinds of Transfer Students

If you have completed college units after graduation from high school, you are considered a transfer student.

Lower Division

Freshman and sophomore students who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. SF State is not accepting applications from lower division transfer students.

Upper Division

Junior and senior students who have completed 60 or more transferable semester units (90 quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students.

Second Baccalaureates

Second Baccalaureate students are those who earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and are seeking another baccalaureate degree. SF State is not currently accepting applications from second baccalaureate students.

Back to top

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 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

Am I Eligible?

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

You are eligible to be reviewed by SF State if you meet the following criteria:

  1. You are an upper division transfer student (no lower division transfer and no second baccalaureate applications will be accepted)
  2. You meet the following criteria:
    • Complete 60 or more transferable semester units or 90 or more quarter units
    • Earn a college grade point average of 2.00 (2.40 for non-residents) or better in all transferable courses. Non-local area residents may be held to a higher GPA standard.
    • Be in good standing at the last college or university attended
    • Complete 30 semester units (45 quarter units) of general education, including four basic skills courses:
      • 1. One course in oral communication
      • 2. One course in written composition
      • 3. One course in critical thinking
      • 4. One course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning, with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite
        • For fall admission: The four basic skills courses and minimum of 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) must be completed by the spring semester prior to fall admission. Earn a "C" or better grade in each basic skills course.

Choice of major and application review

Because SF State is an impacted campus, eligiblity for admission is based on:

  1. Minimum CSU eligiblity standards
  2. Location of most recent college where applicant earned units
  3. Applicant's choice of major

It is suggested that applicants carefully select their intended majors. Transfers may not choose "undeclared." 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 most recently earned units from a community college within Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties.

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 who are not accommodated in impacted majors will be offered admission in their declared "alternate non-impacted major" listed on their CSU Mentor application.

Non-local applicants are students who most recently earned units 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 grade point average.

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

Supplemental Criteria - Impacted Majors

Impacted majors require supplemental application from all transfer applicants. Transfer applicants may be requested to submit additional information and should be prepared to meet all associated deadlines. All transfer applicants compete for admission to these majors and are assessed and ranked according to grade point average and supplemental course criteria.

Have a back-up plan!

Applicants to SF State impacted majors should have a back-up plan at an alternative campus that offers the desired major.

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 priority 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.
  • 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.
  • Send official transcripts to SF State as soon as possible from all colleges you've attended, even if no coursework was completed. Transcripts for coursework in progress should be sent after grades are on record or when the Office of Undergraduate Admissions requests them.
  • Check your application status to ensure all supporting materials have been received.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Transferable Units

All California community colleges have lists of their courses that will transfer to CSU campuses. ASSIST is California's official online service to help you determine transfer credit for courses you've already taken, and how those courses apply to admissions requirements. You may also consult your college counselor or transfer center for assistance in determining which courses will be accepted for transfer credit.

If you are transferring from a four-year college, most courses will be transferable, but if you need assistance determining if a course will meet transfer requirements, consult the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Back to top

Conditional Admission

SF State may offer you conditional admission based on information you provided on your admission application. You will be required to submit a transcript showing final grades to verify the completion of all admission requirements before you begin attending classes. If you do not submit final transcripts and do not clear all admission requirements, your offer of 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. Only upper division transfers may apply to the following impacted majors: Apparel Design and Merchandising, Interior Design, Nursing, Psychology and Social Work. Freshmen and Transfers may apply to the Journalism major with a supplemental application. See below for more information on impacted majors:

Apparel Design and Merchandising

Interior Design

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

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/

Social Work

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.

Other Study Options

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

Immunizations

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

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.

Back to top

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

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

Placement Tests

Upper-division transfer students who have completed transferable English composition and college-level math courses with a grade of C or better as stated above are exempt from the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM).

Back to top

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

Back to top

Frequently Asked Questions by Upper Division Transfer Students

Where can I take the required course work to be eligible as an upper-division transfer?

Any California community college has a list of courses that will satisfy CSU admission requirements. Consult the ASSIST web site or your community counselor or transfer center for more information.

When will I hear about my application?

You will receive an immediate confirmation via e-mail once you submit the electronic application. The Office of Undergraduate Admission will notify you within five to ten 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'm admitted?

SF State may offer conditional admission based on the information you self-report on your application. Otherwise you may be asked to submit college transcripts reflecting all work completed to date for review by an admissions counselor.

If I'm applying as an upper division transfer, do I need my high school transcript and test scores?

No, applying as an upper division transfer does not require information about high school.

When do I need to submit my transcripts?

SF State will request that you submit official transcripts. However, you should submit official transcripts for any previous institution you've attended as soon as you've completed all course work at that institution. If you have applied to SF State and still have work in progress or worked planned for the period before you attend SF State, you should wait until all work is completed before submitting a transcript. Pay careful attention to any final transcript deadlines and adhere to those.

How will I know if my course work transfers to SF State?

Applicants who have attended any California community college can check the ASSIST Web site. The site will tell you if the course transfers, counts for general education requirements, or counts toward major requirements. After you are admitted and eligible to enroll (see Intent to Register) you can check your DARS report online at MySFSU. For students admitted and eligible to enroll, the Admissions Office prepares an Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE), which provides information about colleges and universities that are not currently part of the DARS database. Your ASE will tell you how many units were accepted, and how those units count toward graduation requirements.

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

Newly admitted students who plan to attend must indicate their enrollment plans by May 1 for the fall semester and by November 15 for spring semester. To file your intention to register at SF State, go to the SF State Application Status Web site.

The Intent to Register process allows students to lock in their choice of attending San Francisco State, and at the same time, it enables the University to plan for the students who will be here.

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