December 22, 2003

SFSU has set fall 2004 undergraduate application deadlines of Jan. 16, 2004, for prospective first-time freshmen and Feb. 16, 2004, for prospective transfer students.

The University will not accept applications from those seeking fall 2004 admission as lower-division (less than 56 transferable semester units) transfer students or from students seeking a second bachelor’s degree.

SFSU established the early deadlines due to a significant increase in applications received and the uncertainty of the University’s budget relating to California’s fiscal crisis. This ensures that SFSU does not admit more students than it can adequately serve, said Jo Volkert, associate vice president for enrollment planning and management.

"We need to take steps to limit the number of admissions so that we can provide enough classes for those who are admitted and choose to enroll here," she said.

SFSU's enrollment was 29,686 this fall, an increase of 4 percent from fall 2002 and the University's largest ever.

The University has received more than 24,000 applications for fall 2004 -- nearly a 29 percent increase over last year at this time -- and already received more first-time freshmen applications than it received for all of fall 2003, when the undergraduate application deadline was May 1. More than 500 applications continue to arrive every week.

Volkert said many institutions are experiencing significant increases in applications submitted because the population of students graduating from high schools is growing and will continue to increase through 2008.

To receive a quick admissions decision, prospective students are encouraged to apply online at CSU Mentor. Online applications must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, for first-time freshmen and 11:59 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, for transfer students.

For details on SFSU admissions, majors and degree programs, costs, financial aid, on-campus housing and student life, call (415) 338-2355 or visit the prospective student Web site.

Prospective students interested in on-campus housing are encouraged to submit a housing application before being admitted to SFSU, as space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, call (415) 338-1067 or visit the Housing and Residential Services Web site.

The deadline for graduate applications for fall 2004 is Saturday, May 1. However, certain graduate programs have earlier deadlines and require an additional application. For details, call (415) 338-2234 or visit the Division of Graduate Studies Web site.

-- Matt Itelson

1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132    (415) 338-1111
Last modified December 22, 2003, by the Office of Public Affairs