To be considered for admission to The California State University, you must complete 15 yearlong high school courses with a grade of C or better.

a. History/social science (2 years)

b. English (4 years)

c. Mathematics (3 years)

d. Laboratory Science (2 years)

e. Language other than English (2 years)

f. Visual and performing arts (1 year)

g. College-preparatory elective (1 year)

(chosen from the subjects listed above or another course

approved by the university)

GPA
You must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

SAT/ACT
Test scores are NOT required during this 2022-2023 Application season. The CSU uses a calculation called an eligibility index that combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either the SAT or ACT tests. This year that index formula was modified in light of the pandemic. 

Your CSU Index for Fall 2022 is calculated using your cumulative grade point average (GPA), your Math GPA and English GPA. The score will help tell you if you’re eligible for admission to the CSU. For Fall 2022 the CSU will not be utilizing standardized testing (SAT and/or ACT) for the purposes of admissions. Students may submit their official SAT and/or ACT should they be offered admission to be used for placement purposes, but the standardized tests will not be considered in the admission decision.

CSULB INDEX

The CSULB Index is a result of a formula that combines your achievement in your high school college preparatory subjects, along with your cumulative GPA in grades 10th through 12th. The formula is a combination of using your cumulative GPA, along with your Math and English subject GPA’s.

The CSU Index for CSU ranking is calculated as follows:

• (College Preparatory Grade Point Average* X 200) + (500 x HS Math Subject GPA) + (500 x HS English GPA). 

• Refer to the College Preparatory Grade Point Average section below for details on how this GPA is calculated.

STEM INDEX

The ‘STEM Index’ is a result of a formula that combines your achievement in your high school college preparatory courses in the subjects of Math and Science. The ‘STEM Index’ is used by CSULB for admission to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Majors. The purpose of the ‘STEM Index’ is to place additional weight on quantitative skills required for success in these majors.

The STEM Index for CSULB ranking in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) majors is calculated as follows:

• 600 x HS Math Subject GPA + 600 x HS Science Subject GPA. 

• Refer to the College Preparatory Grade Point Average section below for details on how this GPA is calculated.

Students applying for STEM majors that fall below the 3600 but over 3200 will be guaranteed an offer of admissions to undeclared major

How CSU's Review Applications
Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside the local admission area. In the case of CAMS students, this would be any school other than CSULB.

Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. Many CSU campuses utilize local admission guarantee policies for students who graduate or transfer from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. You may review the CSU Local Admission Areas for each campus here.

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
In addition to completing your CSU application, most Poly students will be eligible and should apply for the EOP program.  The Educational Opportunity Program is designed to improve access and retention of historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. For more information visit https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/eop