---

Step 1 - Completing the Application

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted one year prior to starting at the CSU. All campuses and majors are open for a fall admission cycle. However, not all campuses and majors are open for winter, spring or summer admission. Students can check for open campuses and majors and are encouraged to check often since information can change. 

---

Where and How to Apply

Students apply to the CSU using an online application. The CSU uses one application for all 23 campuses and students can apply to as many schools as they would like. There are lots of great resources to help students accurately complete the application. 

• Cal State Apply Transfer Application Guide 2023 - 2024 
• Top Transfer Application Dos and Dont's 2023 - 2024 
• Transfer Student Application Checklist 

Application Fees

The fee to apply to the CSU is $70 per campus. Some students may qualify for an application fee waiver. This Application Fee Waiver Checklist will help you accurately complete the information needed. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver and you or your family have experienced a significant change in income, you may qualify for an application fee waiver appeal. 

---

Minimum CSU Admissions Requirements 

To qualify as an upper-division (junior-level) transfer to CSU, students must meet the following requirements: 

• Complete 60 units of CSU transferable coursework.
• Earn a minimum 2.00 GPA in all CSU transferable coursework (2.40 for CA non-residents).
• Complete at least 30.0 units of general education courses.
• Complete 4 core areas of GE with a grade of "C" or better.
• Oral communication.
• Written communication.
• Critical thinking.
• Mathematics.
• Be in good standing and eligible to re-enroll at the college you attend prior to transfer. 

While these are the minimum admissions requirements, some campuses and majors are impacted and have additional requirements that must be met.  Impaction means that a campus receives applications from more students than they can accept. 

---

Choose the Right Classes to Apply for Transfer

In most cases, you will complete both general education (GE) and major courses to meet the 60.0 CSU transfer units needed for admission.

How many GE and major units each student completes may vary and will depend on the campuses you will apply to and the major you plan to pursue. Learn more about how to choose the correct GE and Major classes.

---

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) 

Associate Degrees for Transfer are special degrees built for transfer students in collaboration with the CSU campuses. They are meant to make the transfer process to CSU quicker and easier. Learn more about ADTs.

---

What is Impaction? 

When campuses have impacted majors, they may use additional admissions requirements beyond the minimum CSU admission requirements. Examples are: 

• Priority admission for students that attend college in the local area of the impacted CSU.
• Higher GPA requirements.
• Priority to students that have completed specific major classes.

For the 2022 - 2023 academic year, the following campuses are impacted in ALL undergraduate majors. 

• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Fresno State
• CSU Fullerton
• Cal State LA 
• CSU Long Beach
• San Diego State University
• San José State 

These helpful resources note which campuses and majors are currently impacted.  

• See the 2022 - 2023 Impaction Matrix to see which schools and majors are impacted. 
• Use the Impacted Majors & Campuses search tool. 

Students are encouraged to meet with a Mission College counselor to confirm impaction criteria, plan the right classes, and create the most competitive application you can!