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How to Get Into San Diego State University (SDSU): Acceptance Rate and Strategies

July 29, 2024

For the incoming Class of 2027, San Diego State University received a record 83,000+ total first-year undergraduate applications. Applicants to this member of the California State University system campus, which was once primarily the target of local residents, hailed from all 50 states and 106 countries during the 2023-24 year. This is a testament to how much SDSU has become a coveted postsecondary home and a selective university with just a sub-35% acceptance rate.

To help prepare aspiring Aztecs for the challenging process ahead, we will touch on the following topics:

• SDSU’s Class of 2027 acceptance rate
• SDSU’s in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rate
• GPA and class rank of accepted SDSU applicants
• Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
• The demographics of current San Diego State University undergraduates
• San Diego State University’s yield rate
• How SDSU’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to SDSU
• How to assess whether applying to San Diego State University is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

San Diego State University (SDSU) Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027

The university received 83,190 freshman applications for a place in the Class of 2027; they admitted 28,433. This translates to a SDSU acceptance rate of 34%.

Historical SDSU acceptance rates are as follows:

San Diego State University In-State vs. Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

Admission is traditionally much easier for out-of-state applicants than locals. For the Class of 2027, the out-of-state SDSU acceptance rate was 81% compared to just 29% for CA residents.

What GPA do you need to get into SDSU?

Freshmen who enrolled in the Class of 2027 had an average GPA of 3.86. Moreover, 69% of students held a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to San Diego State?

27% of 2023-24 freshmen hailed from the top 10% of their graduating class, while 66% earned a place in the top quarter.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for SDSU?

SDSU—and all other California public colleges—are test-blind, meaning that standardized test scores are neither required nor considered during the admissions process.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2027

• 23% of the Class of 2027 were first-generation students.
• 41% of the most recent freshman class were members of an underrepresented minority group.
• SDSU experienced a 7% hike in applications this past cycle.
• Only 10% of students who applied were local; 90% were not.

Who Gets Into SDSU?

Let’s now look at the demographics of San Diego State University undergraduates. The 2023-24 freshman class came from the following geographic locations:

• Los Angeles: 27%
• San Diego: 12%
• Orange County: 11%
• Santa Clara: 9%
• Riverside: 7%
• Alameda: 7%
• Contra Costa: 5%
• Out of State: 12%
• International: 2%

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2027 is as follows:

• Asian American: 16%
• Hispanic: 37%
• African American: 4%
• Filipino: 4%

SDSU Acceptance Rate — Continued

On the gender front, the Class of 2027 is notably split in favor of women:

• Female: 58%

You might assume that, with such a gender gap, it may be easier to gain admission into SDSU as a male. Yet, the acceptance rate for men and women tends to be almost identical.

Class of 2027 students most commonly applied to the following departments:

• Health and Human Services

San Diego State University’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted—was relatively low 22% last year. For comparison, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has a yield of 28% while UC San Diego comes in at 22% and UCLA is a much higher 52%.

How the San Diego State University Rates Applicants

There are a mere two factors that the San Diego State University ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record and GPA. The two factors rated as “important” are: state residency and geographical residence. All other factors including essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, class rank, and work experience are “not considered.”

In the admissions office’s own words:

• “San Diego State University’s admissions process considers a comprehensive range of factors for each applicant. We seek to enroll students who are both academically qualified and demonstrate the potential to contribute to SDSU’s diverse community. SDSU students have a wide variety of backgrounds, curiosities, and passions.”
• “You must choose a major when you apply to SDSU. All majors are competitive, and every major has more applicants than available spots (the CSUs call this impaction). While we look at all of the college-prep coursework you have taken during high school, we also consider your performance and the number of units taken in courses most relevant to predicted success in your intended academic discipline.”
• Special consideration is given to students who have overcome life obstacles, participated in college preparatory programs, and attend high schools within SDSU’s local admission area.

Tips for Applying to San Diego State University

If you plan on joining the 83,000+ aspiring Aztecs for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• As mentioned earlier, SDSU is test-blind, meaning that you do not need to submit test scores alongside your application. If you do submit them, they will not be considered.
• You can submit an application any time between October 1 and December 15.
• Applications are completed through the Cal State Apply.
• You must fulfill the A-G requirements to be eligible as a first-year student at SDSU.
• San Diego State University states that they do not consider “ demonstrated interest ” in the admissions process. However, given their low yield rate, it can’t hurt to visit campus, contact an admissions officer, follow them on social media, etc.
• If you get waitlisted, don’t give up hope. Last year, 21% of those who accepted a place on the waitlist were later accepted.
• SDSU does not require a personal statement or supplemental essays.

Should I Apply to SDSU?

With acceptance rates of under 35%, San Diego State University is primarily seeking candidates who have earned a mixture of A’s and B’s in a rigorous high school program. In addition, if you’re an in-state applicant, you’ll need to bring credentials that are even more impressive.

SDSU Acceptance Rate — Final Thoughts

Unless you have earned perfect grades in high school, you’ll need to make sure that you have a rock-solid backup plan. All students need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list , containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools.

Ready to start crafting your college applications? You might consider checking out the following:

• Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Common App Essay Prompts
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• Application Strategies

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are the criteria for admission at san diego state university.

Hey all! As I've been researching colleges, SDSU has really caught my eye and I'm just wondering about their admission requirements. Can someone here help me understand what these might be for incoming students? What does SDSU look at in applications, GPA requirements, course rigor, extracurricular activities, etc. Sorry if it's a lot, I'm just trying to see if I'm on track. Appreciate any insights!

Absolutely, happy to help with your query about San Diego State University (SDSU).

SDSU takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, but the major factors that are taken into consideration are your high school coursework (the rigor of your classes) and GPA.

Coursework: SDSU requires a college preparatory curriculum: this includes 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 2 years of history and social science, 2 years of lab science, 2 years of a language other than English, 1 year of visual and performing arts, and 1 year of a college preparatory elective.

GPA: For California residents, the minimum GPA requirement is 2.5, and for out-of-state applicants, it's 3.0. Bear in mind that these are minimum requirements - the average GPA for admitted students is often much higher.

Extracurriculars: Though your GPA and coursework play a significant role, extracurricular activities are also important. SDSU, like many colleges, values students who can show dedication and leadership in a few areas they're passionate about, rather than many activities with minimal involvement.

Test Scores: SDSU, along with all other California State University schools, is test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle. This means they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Essays: SDSU does not require an essay or personal statement, but it does however ask for detailed information about your extracurricular activities and honors in the application.

Lastly, keep in mind that some majors at SDSU are impacted, which means they have more applicants than available spots. These programs may have additional requirements or a separate application process.

Hope that gives you a good overview of what SDSU looks at in applications. Best of luck with your college journey!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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SDSU Requirements for Admission

What are SDSU's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into SDSU and build a strong application.

School location: San Diego, CA

This school is also known as: San Diego State University

Admissions Rate: 39.3%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at SDSU is 39.3% . For every 100 applicants, 39 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet SDSU's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

SDSU GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.87

The average GPA at SDSU is 3.87 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.87, SDSU requires you to be near the top of your class , and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A's. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.87, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

SDSU hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to SDSU will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

SDSU SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1215

The average SAT score composite at SDSU is a 1215 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes SDSU Competitive for SAT test scores.

SDSU SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1130, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1340. In other words, a 1130 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1340 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

SDSU has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, SDSU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and SDSU forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1340, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SDSU ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, SDSU likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 26

The average ACT score at SDSU is 26. This score makes SDSU Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 23, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

Even though SDSU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 23 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 26 and above that a 23 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 29 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to SDSU, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 29.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

SDSU considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1340 SAT or a 29 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as SDSU, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1340 SAT or a 29 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of SDSU here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office December

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes November 30 March

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 5500 San Diego, CA 92182
• Phone: (619) 594-5200 x5200
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Note that their application window is narrower than many schools -- applications are only accepted between October 1 and November 30. Also, you will be applying to a major and will be ranked against other students applying in that major. Learn more about freshman admission requirements here. Finally, note that there are extra application requirements for those applying to music, dance, theater, and nursing.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in SDSU, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to SDSU.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than SDSU. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for SDSU, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for SDSU, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If SDSU is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General questions about the center.

We can assist SDSU students with papers for any of their classes, as well as with out-of-class projects such as application essays and cover letters. We can help at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming for ideas to polishing a final draft. One-on-one sessions are provided by peer tutors through pre-arranged appointments or on a drop-in basis. The center also sponsors group workshops offering strategies for success with specific writing tasks. All services are free of charge for SDSU students and faculty.

We are open! Check the About Us page for our available hours.

Tutoring Questions

Yes. Ask the tutor to include your instructor’s email on the Client Report form at the end of your session. A copy of the report will be emailed to you and your instructor.

Check with the front desk to see if we have any immediate openings. If we do, you can see a writing tutor right away!

 You can book appointments for two tutoring sessions each day, with a maximum total of three appointments a week. After that, you can have drop-in appointments, if/when tutors are available. (It’s not possible to schedule two back-to-back appointments.)

You can do this yourself.  Visit sdsu.mywconline.com and on the online appointment schedule by clicking on your appointment slot; a pop-up window will then appear, and you can click on the “Cancel This Appointment” box at the bottom. Appointments must be canceled 2 hours before the scheduled appointment time.

That’s up to you. When you self-schedule an appointment, you can select whichever tutor you’d like to work with – staying with the same tutor for consistency, or varying tutors if you would prefer to get different points of view.

No! We are happy to work with you at any stage of the writing process, even if you've just gotten your assignment or just started your draft.

 It’s often easier for us to read printed text, but we can work with your draft on your laptop or on one of the computers in the Center.

 If you have a prompt from the instructor that explains you are allowed to use outside resources, then we can help you. However, without that permission, we are not allowed to assist with essays that constitute exams; to do so would be a violation of SDSU’s Codes of Student Conduct . 

No, we don’t read papers ahead of time, and we only provide feedback in person in the center. If you would like written feedback from a tutor, please make an e-tutoring appointment.

We don’t read papers before scheduled appointments, so you should bring your paper with you to your tutoring appointment. If you are meeting with a tutor online , you will upload your paper at the start of your session and communicate with them (via audio or text) during the session. If you would like written feedback from a tutor, please make an e-tutoring appointment.

No, your friend needs to come here in person.

Workshop Questions

Workshops are scheduled in a variety of places. See our Workshops page for more information.

On sdsu.mywconline.com , go to the dropdown menu at the top of the page. Click on the appropriate semester workshop schedule.

The Admissions Strategist

How to get into san diego state university.

Do you want to know what it takes to get into San Diego State University? Read on!

San Diego State University is the third largest university in the state of California. This university offers a research-oriented, high-quality education in a warm and gorgeous location that’s just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean. 

The competition is tough, and preparation is key. In this guide, we’ll share information and advice that will help you strengthen your application and increase your chances of acceptance.

San Diego State University was founded in 1897 as the San Diego Normal School, which focused on training elementary school teachers. The school relocated to its current location on Montezuma Mesa in 1931. Today there are more than 35,000 students studying at SDSU. The Fall 2021 student to faculty ratio is twenty-five to one. 

SDSU offers over two hundred degree programs. There are close to 90 majors and 80 minors available to undergraduates. There are over three hundred student organizations on campus, and over three thousand SDSU students study abroad each year. 

The main campus is just a short distance from downtown San Diego, sandy beaches, and mountain adventure. The Imperial Valley campus offers ten options to undergraduates as well as a nationally-acclaimed teacher education program. SDSU also has a campus in the Republic of Georgia that offers internationally accredited Bachelor of Science programs.

Students coming from high schools outside of the university’s local admission area will be required to live on campus for two years. Students who live on campus tend to do better in school. Research shows that their GPAs are over ten percent higher than those of students living off campus, and students living in residential learning communities are twice as likely to graduate in four years.

Is it Hard to Get into SDSU?

San Diego State University is a competitive school, but not as crazy competitive as schools like Stanford and MIT. Close to forty percent of applicants are admitted each year. 

Because SDSU is expanding – they recently broke ground on another campus – they’ve been able to increase enrollment at a similar rate to the steady increase in yearly applications, keeping their admittance rate steady while admittance rates at other schools continue to decline. 

67,660 first-time freshman applied in 2021 and 25,646 were admitted. That’s an admittance rate of 38%. Applications rose to 76,821 in 2022 and 30,231 – 39% of applicants – were admitted. 5,269 freshmen enrolled in 2021, and 6,514 enrolled in 2022. 

Students who aren’t accepted to SDSU will be redirected to an alternate CSU campus . 

GPA and Test Scores

The average GPA for students who enroll at SDSU is 3.82 on a 4.0 scale. In 2021, 24% of SDSU freshmen had a 4.0 highschool GPA. Nearly all of them had a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Students coming from out of state must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in order to be eligible. The minimum GPA for California students is 2.5.

Over ninety percent of students who enroll in SDSU were in the top fifty percent of their graduating class. Roughly a quarter of them were in the top ten percent. 

Students who wish to study nursing at SDSU must maintain a GPA above 3.0. They’re also required to earn a B or better in specific classes – we’ll cover that in more detail further on. The incoming average GPA for first-time freshman admitted to the School of Nursing has been over 4.0 (on a 5.0 scale) for many years. Admitted students in 2020 had an average GPA of 4.21.

Test scores are not required by Cal Apply. You can submit SAT and ACT scores, but they won’t be used to determine who is admitted. If you are accepted, SDSU may use official test scores to determine placement into math and English courses.

Only 13% of freshman students enrolled in Fall 2021 submitted SAT scores. Their middle fifty percent range was 1130 to 1320. Only 6% submitted ACT scores, and their middle fifty percent range was 22-29. 

What is SDSU Looking For?

An excellent academic record is key to getting into SDSU, but a high GPA on its own won’t be enough. SDSU will also consider your character, your extracurricular pursuits, and your overall involvement in the world around you. Your extracurricular activities should demonstrate responsibility, compassion, and your ability to work collaboratively with others.

SDSU favors “students who have overcome life obstacles, participated in college preparatory programs, and attend high schools within SDSU’s local admission area.”

Students who attend high school or community college in SDSU’s local admissions area are given priority consideration during the admission process. Community colleges in this area include Cuyamaca, Grossmont, Imperial Valley, San Diego City, San Diego Mesa, San Diego Miramar, and Southwestern.

Get personalized advice!

What should you do in high school.

Here are some things that you can do in high school to show SDSU that you would be a great addition to their next class. 

Excel in Challenging Classes

If you want to go to SDSU, you’ll need to demonstrate that you can handle the most difficult coursework available to you. We recommend that you take the most challenging possible course load that you can manage while still maintaining an unweighted GPA of 4.0 (or as close to 4.0 as possible). 

The minimum required coursework is as follows: 

You have to choose a major in order to apply to SDSU, and the university will consider preparation towards your area of intended study as part of the admissions process. While in high school, you should take challenging courses and earn excellent grades in the subjects that you’re interested in pursuing in college. 

Prospective nursing students will need to earn a B or better grade in high school intermediate algebra, biology, and chemistry with lab courses. These students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Don’t forget that you need to keep your grades up in your senior year as well. The courses listed on your application have to be completed with grades of C- or higher, or any offer of admission may be withdrawn. They can also withdraw their offer of admission if your overall GPA drops. 

Given that SDSU does not consider standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, or essays, your coursework and GPA are of paramount importance. 

We have more advice on keeping your grades up here .

Pursue Your Passions

You won’t have the chance to write heartfelt or quirky essays as part of your Cal State application process, but you will get the chance to tell them how many hours you spend pursuing work and passion projects outside of school. 

Get out of your comfort zone and find what lights you up. And then dive deep. It’s better to pursue a small number of passions wholeheartedly than to occasionally clock in on a long list of extracurriculars. You want to be able to demonstrate community involvement, intellectual vitality, and an overall zest for life. 

Check out this article for ideas on great extracurriculars to explore. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself what you can do to better the lives of those around you. 

Serve Your Community

Community service activities are an excellent way to show prospective colleges that you work well with others and would be a valuable addition to any community. Don’t stretch yourself too thin by dabbling in dozens of different projects. Do find something that you truly care about and can contribute to in a meaningful way.

Remember that community service can look different for everyone. Steady jobs or familial responsibilities are just as valid as community service projects. The important thing is that you’re involved in the world around you in a positive way. 

SDSU Application Process and Checklist

Applications to SDSU are submitted through Cal State Apply , as are applications to 22 other universities in California. Students who aren’t accepted to SDSU are redirected to an alternate CSU campus. 

You’ll need these before you can apply:

• Your major of choice – you must choose one to apply. 
• Unofficial transcripts: all courses you’ve completed, grades as they appear on your transcript, those currently in progress, and any you plan to take. 
• Your citizenship status.
• Your social security number if you have one.
• Credit card or PayPal for application fees.
• Test scores (optional).
• Annual income – either yours or your parents.
• Your parents’ employment background and two recommendations are needed to apply to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
• Average number of hours spent working and volunteering in the past year.

Applicants who wish to study dance, music, or musical theater must pass an audition. 

Does SDSU Require Essays?

The Cal State University system does not require essays as part of its admissions process. 

Should You Apply Early to SDSU?

SDSU accepts applications between October 1 and November 30. It’s always smart to plan ahead and apply early to make sure that everything is polished and turned in on time. You want to start early and take your time to avoid stressing or rushing the process. 

Final Thoughts: How to Get into SDSU

There are far more students interested in SDSU than the school is able to admit. Over half of all students who apply to SDSU are turned away each year. In recent years, less than forty percent of first-year applicants have been admitted to each new class. 

If you exceed all of their coursework options and maintain an unweighted GPA of nearly 4.0, you have an excellent chance of admittance. Keep those grades up, and devote your spare time to meaningful extracurriculars that build you teamwork and leadership skills. 

We wish you the best of luck – and if you have any questions about the college application process, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Admission Requirements

• Satisfy the basic requirements for the Master's Degree described in the SDSU Graduate Bulletin;
• Possess an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
• Have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 units of study (Don't lose sleep over this one, we make exceptions all the time especially for first-generation college students considering graduate school for the first time!);
• Have an acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined general test score (quantitative and verbal sections). The GRE does NOT determine our final admissions decisions! We look at the entire application carefully.

Step 1 - Go to CSU Apply and begin your application process.

(Please note while on the CSU Apply site that MALAS, the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, shows up in the CSU Apply menu of graduate programs as merely Liberal Arts and Sciences). Our SDSU MALAS Program Admissions team will not see any of your materials unless you follow these directions to the letter --we emphasize this here as many cool students have run aground in the past by not following SDSU Graduate Division's rather clear, utterly strict protocols. This part of the application process must be completed by February 1, 2025 --the EARLIER you apply, the EARLIER we will let you know your application status! Note that official test scores and transcripts must be sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions – All materials must be received by March 1, 2025 .

Step 2 - Send your supplementary application materials via Interfolio to MALAS.

If you have trouble with Interfolio, all the supplementary materials, A, B, & C, that we ask for below, may be sent DIRECTLY to MALAS.

Please send the following three items directly to MALAS:

Two letters of recommendation.

Two letters of recommendation (one, at least, should be from a university professor familiar with your research, writing, or creative work). As with all applications to research university graduate programs, it is best that the letters of recommendation come directly to MALAS from the individuals writing the letter.  Please ask the individuals writing your letters of recommendation to use their official institutional letterhead when possible and to mail their correspondence to:

Dr. William Nericcio Director, MALAS SDSU English and CompLit 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-6020

Last minute applicants can have their reference-letter writer email their correspondence directly to Dr. William A. Nericcio, the program director at [email protected] and the MALAS Administrative Coordinator, Monica Cortez, at [email protected] .

Note: Many applicants to MALAS are far removed from their undergraduate work and are not in contact with their former professors--don't let that be a deterent to applying; we will accept and read any letter of recommendation from professionals / artists / mentors / colleagues familiar with your skills.

A "Statement of Purpose"

A two-page essay .

The hard deadline for official test scores to be sent to Graduate Admissions and the MALAS Program Application to be completed is April 1, 2025 --but please don't wait to the last minute!

A Note About the GRE

You may take the GRE at the Test Office here at SDSU--there is a hefty fee. GRE fee waivers are available. Consult the GRE BULLETIN for more information. When taking the GRE, fill in the SDSU institution code (4682) so that your GRE scores will be sent directly from your testing site to SDSU admissions.

Other Information for Folks Who Want to Take Our MALAS Seminars but are not in Our Program...

Persons who are not matriculated as students at SDSU may enroll for MALAS courses on a space-available basis with approval of the instructor through Open Unicersity. Please consult the SDSU Global Campus website .

Taking a MALAS seminar is a great way to TEST DRIVE MALAS! Students can take up to three classes or 9 units of MALAS seminar work and have them roll into your program of study when you officially admitted into the program.

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National Scholarships and Fellowships

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Creating Your Personal Statement

If you are applying for nationally competitive scholarships, for graduate school, or for a number of post-graduate service or employment opportunities, you have seen the vaguely phrased request; in one form or another, it comes down to “tell us something about yourself.”

The Rhodes and Marshall competitions require a 1000-word personal essay: the Fulbright, a “curriculum vita.” You are asked to share your “academic and other interests.” A clearer charge might be: compose an essay that reveals who you are, what you care about, and what you intend to do in this life. Tell this story in a compelling manner, and do so in less than a thousand words. What’s so hard about that? Simply make sense of your life. (right.) But what does that mean? What will it look like?

Because personal statements are personal, there is no one type or style of writing that is set out as a model. That can be liberating; it can also be maddening. But while every personal statement is unique in style, it’s purpose is the same.

A personal statement is your introduction to a selection committee. It determines whether you are invited to interview; and if selected as a finalist, interview questions will be based on this material.  It is the heart of your application.

A personal statement is:

• A picture.  Your personal essay should produce a picture of you as a person, a student, a potential scholarship winner, and (looking into the future) a former scholarship recipient. 
• An invitation.  The reader must be invited to get to know you, personally. Bridge the assumed distance of strangers. Make your reader welcome.
• An indication of your priorities and judgment.  What you choose to say in your statement tells the committee what your priorities are. What you say, and how you say it, is crucial.
• A story, or more precisely, your story.  Everyone has a story to tell, but we are not all natural storytellers. If you are like most people, your life lacks inherent drama. This is when serious self-reflection, conversation with friends, family, and mentors, and permission to be creative come in handy. 

A personal statement is not:

• An academic paper with you as the subject.  The papers you write for class are typically designed to interpret data, reflect research, analyze events or reading—all at some distance. We are taught to eliminate the “I” from our academic writing. In a personal statement your goal is to close the distance between you and the reader. You must engage on a different, more personal level that you have been trained to in college. 
• A resume in narrative form.  An essay that reads like a resume of accomplishments and goals tells the reader nothing that they could not glean from the rest of the application. It reveals little about the candidate, and is a wasted opportunity. 
• A journal entry.  While you may draw on experiences or observations captured in your personal journal, your essay should not read like a diary. Share what is relevant, using these experiences to give a helpful context for your story. And include only what you are comfortable sharing—be prepared to discuss at an interview what you include. 
• A plea of justification for the scholarship.  This is not an invitation to “make your case.” Defending an assertion that you are more deserving of the scholarship than other candidates is a wasted effort—you’ve likely just accomplished the opposite.
• Most importantly, a personal statement is authentic.  Don’t make the mistake of trying to guess what the committee is looking for, and don’t write what you think they want to hear. They want to know you. 

So, what must you include in the personal statement? An effective personal statement will answer the following questions:

• Who am I? 
• Who do I want to be? 
• What kind of contribution do I want to make, and how? 
• Why does it make sense for me to study at Oxford (or York, LSE, Cambridge, Sussex)? 

For the Rhodes, you will want to include a proposal of study, one or two paragraphs devoted to why Oxford makes sense to you. For the Marshall and Fulbright, your “proposed academic programme” is presented separately. Your proposal should be as detailed and specific as possible, including degree plans, course titles, and professors with whom you hope to study (especially if you have contacted them by email or letter). Why is this the right place and program? Is it consistent with your studies and activities to date? Draw connections. 

Remember the goal: grab the readers’ interest, and make them want to meet you for an interview. Get a sense of the experiences and dreams you wish to share, then examine them for a helpful means of making sense of it all. You will find your story; and if you share it honestly, you will have written a personal statement.

Finally, know that writing a personal essay is hard and will take many drafts and much reflection. Don’t wait until you have it right to share it with others; their input will likely make it stronger, clearer, and tighter. Don’t put it off until you have it right … just write!

Written by Mary Hale Tolar, Associate Director for Educational Leadership at Kansas State University. Mary Tolar is a 1988 Truman Scholar and 1990 Rhodes Scholar; served as scholarships advisor at four institutions, and has served on a State Rhodes Committee of Selection. She has helped over sixty students win nationally competitive scholarships.  

University of San Diego 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Dec 1

University of San Diego 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 200 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community

First-Year applicants are required to answer the Mandatory First Year Essay Prompt and either Essay Prompt Option #1, #2, or #3. Please note that the default word counter on our Common Application essay text boxes permit 350 words, but most applicants find they can answer these prompts in about 200 words.

Mandatory First Year Essay Prompt:

The university of san diego offers diverse educational opportunities grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. first-year students are immersed in one of our five learning communities (lc), with the themes reflecting the vitality of the liberal arts tradition: advocate, collaborate, cultivate, illuminate and innovate. select one of these five themes and describe how it resonates with you and why..

This is a big blue sky of a prompt. Start by thinking about how you can relate to each of these words. Here’s a little word/concept association: “Advocate” reminds us of social justice and community service; “collaborate” elicits images of group projects or fundraising; “cultivate” can refer to how camp counselors invest in kids or how you started a club to fill a community void at your school; “illuminate” is a fun, vague idea that can evoke memories of learning, or exploration/travel; and “innovate” is an active word that can apply to any evolution of ideas or steps you’ve taken to effect change. With this array of options in front of you, we have no doubt that one of these concepts will resonate with you. Additionally, if one of these words means something to you in a way that we didn’t explicitly note, definitely explore that! Your approach to this essay alone is a great reflection of your priorities and creativity. Feel free to wander, but remember to take the reader on your journey with you, showing them the steps you took mentally to get from their theme to your story.

Essay Prompt Option #1:

What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable community here at usd, we believe that our campus community and the communities we engage with are integral parts of who we are as a university. our newly launched horizon project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse and inclusive campus community. we value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education..

USD’s take on the community essay comes with a focus on diversity, but don’t let that limit you! First of all, let us remind you that your “local community” can be just about anything from your neighborhood to your family to your dojo. Pick a community that means something to you and the diversity narrative will fall into place. Maybe your progressive church welcomes people of many different faiths, and you developed a special language for discussing religion with your childhood friends. Or perhaps your school is incredibly homogenous and isolated, and you helped your Spanish class organize Skype chats with a student body in Guatemala. No matter your starting point, be sure to tell a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end. It may be tempting to pen a vivid description of your community and leave it at that, but the point of an essay like this is to tell a story about you, your contributions, your personal growth.

Essay Prompt Option #2:

Use this space to write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. why does it matter to you what experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue. as a proud changemaker campus, as designated by ashoka u, the usd experience emphasizes changemaking through social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective..

You’ll notice some striking similarities between USD option #2 and Common App prompt #4, which asks you to “Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve.” In other words, if you wrote your Common App personal statement on #4, you’ll want to skip USD’s #2 to avoid repeating yourself. (If not, here are some extra tips in our Common App Essay Prompt Guide !) 

This is your opportunity to not only show admissions how you face challenges, but demonstrate your creativity and vision, as well. If you choose this prompt, take a little time to brainstorm a few “challenges facing humanity” that bother you or affect your life. It can range from rising ocean temperatures to racial profiling. Although the scope and scale of your problem can vary, remember that USD emphasizes “social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, and a global perspective.”  

Essay Prompt Option #3:

Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. as a contemporary catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. we devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant usd community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with god while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become..

Given the faith-forward nature of this question and of the university website, we imagine that most of you folks reading this guide probably already have a few thoughts on this question. We’d be surprised if the religious affiliation didn’t factor into your decision to apply, but if you haven’t thought about it, now is your chance to reflect on your relationship with faith, if you so choose. Writing about spiritual and religious beliefs is just as personal (if not more!) as any other topic you might cover on your college application, so don’t be afraid to dive deep. If you grew up in a traditional religious household, you probably have a treasure trove of experiences and stories to share with admissions, but sometimes it’s hard to write about faith when it’s always been a given in your life. Whether your background is Christian, Hindu, or atheist, can you think about the role faith plays in your life? Is it daily, minute-by-minute, or reserved for high holidays? Or, if religion wasn’t a huge part of your upbringing, what led you to take an interest in a Catholic university? Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, faith is a central component of the USD experience, and now is your chance to invite admissions into your own relationship with it.

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I am a tutor in NJ working with a student on the application process and essay/supplemental essays, and I understand there is no essay for undergraduate admissions. However, we are unclear as to what the “Common Application-California” means. Does this imply there is a secondary Common Application, or is it still the standard Common App that is used across the country? Thanks in advance. Happy to be learning so much about this great school!

@Tutor4Life - San Diego State University is one of 23 universities within the California State University (CSU) system. The Cal State Universities have one specific undergraduate application for their schools, and it is accessed through the CSU website. http://www.csumentor.edu/ This application is separate from the standard Common App you referenced above, which is not used by the CSU system.

http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/apply.html

Thank you so much Fish125!

Common App is usually used for applying to private universities. A lot of high schools use a system called Naviance tor college reseach purpose and it has a linkup to Comm App for teachers to submit Letters of Recommendation or transcript electronically

^ Thank you all above. One more please: Can you direct me to, or is there, an ESSAY PROMPT that accompanies the submission of the application? We cannot find the essay anywhere in the application itself. It is due very soon and don’t want to find a surprise supplemental field that asks for a 500 word essay. Have you seen an essay and if so, what are the prompt options please. THANK YOU AGAIN!

@Tutor4Life - There isn’t an essay for the CSU/SDSU undergrad application. Acceptance/denial is based on GPA and SAT or ACT. Certain majors, such as music, have additional admission requirements like auditions, so you should check the prospective applicant’s intended major on the SDSU website for any specifics. SDSU’s website is very thorough, and their Admissions department is always helpful if you have specific questions.

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Sample Essay 3

Dear Scholarship Committee:

If the 18 year-old James would have known and understood the value of higher education the way the now 34 year-old James does, you would have received this letter 16 years ago. Perhaps the passage of 16 years and the experiences contained in them will prove to be an advantage that will make further education of the 34 year-old more fulfilling personally and more beneficial to family, friends and the community.

I am, first of all a husband and father. Jan, my wife of eight years, and I have two beautiful children—our daughter Sue is six, and our son Josh is three. My marriage and the birth of our children are the most satisfying, inspiring events in my life. Another event, not exactly a positive one at first glance, is one of the reasons you have received this letter.

For nine years I was a journeyman carpenter working for several framing contractors on both residential and commercial projects. My duties included all aspects of framing construction as well as supervisory responsibilities. Then, my life changed drastically. A wall and beam assembly, later estimated to weigh some 3,000 pounds, fell and broke my left leg in several places.

Since this career ending injury, however, more positives than negatives have emerged. Despite long therapy sessions and several follow-up operations, I can honestly say that the worst consequence of breaking my leg was that I broke my leg. The incident has allowed me the opportunity to spend more time with my wife and children and to seek a college education. Before the accident I was physically active at work, in recreation, and in my participation as a semi-professional baseball player with the San Diego Marlins. At that point I hadn't thought seriously about furthering my education. Because of my injury, I was faced with the realization that I was not indestructible. This revelation, along with much prompting from my wife, encouraged me to view this as a chance for a positive change and a more secure future.

I am the first in my family to attend a university. In the spring of 2006, I enrolled in 18 units at Miramar College. Being a self-motivated, goal-oriented person, I was able to achieve a 4.0 grade point average and a place on the Dean’s Honors List. Despite my subsequent operations, I have maintained a 4.0 grade point average after 75 college units. My goal is to earn a Bachelor’s degree. I selected a Psychology major and Recreation Administration minor to improve myself and my ability to interact and communicate effectively with others.

One of my most time-consuming activities, as well as one of the most rewarding, is my involvement with the San Diego Unitarian Church. My responsibilities as volunteer youth counselor and advisor for our 20 Southern California congregations include planning and promotion of youth trips and activities which include visiting the sick and elderly and various musical performances throughout the year. My new communication skills and the broader view provided by the university experience, will be invaluable in my relationships with these youth and my future career.

This 34 year-old returning student has learned to appreciate the generosity of others. I would be honored and grateful for whatever assistance you are willing to provide. Your investment in me will not only assist me in the accomplishment of my personal goals, but will benefit our community. Thank you for your consideration.

FINANCIAL AID

• Apply for Financial Aid
• Financial Aid Disbursement

SCHOLARSHIPS

• External Scholarship Checks & Scholarshare

Kari Hooker, Director for the SDSU Scholarship Office

Rose Pasenelli, Assistant Vice President of the Student Financial Management Center

• Future Student
• Current Student
• Newly Admitted Student
• Parent/Guardian
• Faculty / Staff Member
• Arts and Letters
• Fowler College of Business
• Engineering
• Graduate Studies
• Health and Human Services
• SDSU Library
• Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Weber Honors College
• SDSU Georgia
• SDSU Global Campus
• SDSU Imperial Valley
• SDSU Mission Valley

Graduate Students

Steps to apply, application checklist.

Have the following items on hand before you begin your application:

• Your Social Security Number, if you have one.
• Your citizenship status.
• Credit card. Application fees are due at the time of submission and are paid by credit card.
• Annual income.

SDSU uses the California State University common admission application through the Cal State Apply website. The application requires a $70 fee that is non-refundable and may not be transferred to another term. The California State University system typically reserves a very limited number of fee waivers for prospective graduate students who are California residents and demonstrate financial need. If you meet this criteria, please contact the Office of Admissions to request the application fee waiver appeal form, including a personal statement and documentation detailing the change in income and circumstances. Graduate Admissions will contact you once your information is reviewed and to inform you if the fee waiver has been granted. The review process can take up to two weeks to complete, so be aware of program deadlines before submitting this request. Due to the very limited number of waivers available, not all eligible students will be granted a fee waiver.  If you cannot apply online, contact the Office of Admissions to make special arrangements to apply electronically with campus assistance.

Guidelines for Completing the Cal State Apply Application

• Your application will only be reviewed for the intended program indicated on your Cal State Apply application .
• Only one application per student will be considered. Do not submit multiple applications, as this will result in processing delays.
• Review the list of graduate programs and the program descriptions in the University Catalog carefully, to confirm you are applying to the correct program.
• Provide an accurate and valid email address. If you fail to provide us with a valid email address, you will not receive information critical to your status as an applicant. Please adjust your privacy settings to ensure you receive emails from SDSU.
• After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

Apply to SDSU

Within two weeks of submitting your Cal State Apply application, you will receive an email from San Diego State University that includes your SDSUid. Your SDSUid is an identifier to securely access many campus IT services , including my.SDSU , the official online portal for student admissions, student records, financial aid, tuition and fee payment, and more. Please follow the instructions provided in the email to activate your SDSUid account.

Visit my.SDSU and select my.SDSU Login . Enter your SDSUid and password, and select Sign In to log in to my.SDSU.

• Use the Profile tile to review and update your contact information, if needed.
• Use the Admissions tile to check the status of your application.
• Use the Tasks tile to review any checklist items (To Do's) you need to complete.

If you did not receive the email with your SDSUid or have questions regarding your SDSUid, you can get help from IT services. Learn how to activate your SDSUid on the SDSUid Help web page, or check out the How Do I Activate My SDSUid? video tutorial . Please reach out to the Student Help Resources available to you if you are experiencing difficulties with your account.

For help with my.SDSU, review the my.SDSU Student Resources page.

Graduate applicants are required to submit transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended . Do not send transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application, as this may result in processing delays.

Transcripts from U.S. Institutions

• Submit official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all colleges and universities attended.
• Transcripts must have been issued within the last year. Transcripts received with print dates older than one year will not be accepted.
• Hard copy transcripts for SDSU coursework are not required.
• Electronic transcripts are acceptable. Please ensure that you indicate this preference when making your request. If you are required to provide an email address to send the secure online document to SDSU, please use [email protected] .

Transcripts from International Institutions

If you have international coursework, you are required to submit transcripts (academic record) and proof of degree (diploma/degree certificate), both in the original language and an English translation, for all post-secondary schools attended.

Post-Secondary Transcripts: Transcripts/grad reports are required from all post-secondary schools attended. Review the Graduate Requirements by Country web page for country-specific information. Failure to submit the required documents listed will result in your application being canceled.

Diploma/Degree Certificate: For each post-secondary degree completed, submit a copy of your diploma/degree certificate or provisional degree certificate. Review the Graduate Requirements by Country web page for country-specific information. Failure to submit the required documents listed will result in your application being canceled.

English Translation: For each original-language document, submit a certified literal English translation. The translation must be from the university or a certified translator and should contain all information shown on the original-language documents in the same format.

Submit international transcripts and diploma/degree certificate in one of the following options:

Option 1:   Evaluation Report —Submit a foreign evaluation report from one of the following:

• IERF —course by course detail report with course level identification
• WES —course by course (WES ICAP)
• ECE —course by course

The evaluation report must be sent electronically, directly by IERF, WES, or ECE to Graduate Admissions and must include copies of the international documents used to complete the evaluation.

Option 2: Official Documents —Submit official international documents in a sealed/unopened envelope to the mailing address listed below, stamped or signed by the appropriate official from the issuing institution. Do not send your only original academic record(s) and/or diploma(s)/degree certificate(s). All documents received become property of SDSU and will not be returned.

Documents uploaded to the Cal State Apply and/or Interfolio applications are separate from those required by Graduate Admissions and are not updated in your my.SDSU account.

Mailing International Documents

If you are mailing international documents to Graduate Admissions, we recommend using a guaranteed delivery service, such as Federal Express or DHL. This allows you to track and confirm delivery of your documents to Graduate Admissions. Documents should be mailed to the exact address listed below. Failure to send documents to the Graduate Admissions mailing address may result in your documents not being delivered in a timely manner or not being received at all.

Graduate Admissions  San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8225

Deadline to Submit Transcripts

The deadline to submit transcripts will be indicated in your my.SDSU account.

How Long Will it Take to Process My Documents?

Allow at least three weeks for processing after documents have been submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office. The status of documents and test scores will be updated in your my.SDSU account after they have been evaluated. Please do not submit your documents multiple times, as this will cause delays in processing .

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants (regardless of citizenship status) applying to SDSU from an international institution where the medium of instruction was not English, must submit one of the following as proof of English proficiency:

• TOEFL minimum score of 80 iBT/ 550 PBT: Score can be sent electronically from Educational Testing Service (ETS) using the SDSU institution code: 4682 . Test score must be from within the past two years.
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 or higher: Score report must be submitted directly to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Test score must be from within the past two years.
• Duolingo English Test score of 105 or higher: Score can be sent electronically from Duolingo, to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Test score must be from within the past two years.
• PTE minimum score of 58 or higher: Score report must be submitted directly to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Test score must be from within the past two years.
• Transcripts have been received indicating English as the principal language of instruction.

A copy of your official score report can be submitted through your my.SDSU account.

Program-specific supplemental documents (resume, personal statement, letter of recommendation) should be submitted directly to your graduate department and not the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office . Please note the supplemental documents are separate from those required by Graduate Admissions and not updated in your my.SDSU account. Review the individual graduate program for specific instructions, requirements and deadlines.

Questions regarding program-specific documents should be directed to the department. Contact information for each department and links to the department website can be found on the graduate programs page for your major.

• Graduate Programs

Check your application and admission status periodically through my.SDSU .

• Log into your Asset_280187 and select Admission Status .
• Deadlines to submit required documents will be listed under Documents Required for Admission .

What does my admission status mean?

Pending To-Do List* : A document (transcript and/or diploma/degree certificate) or test score required by the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office is missing or has not been completed. An incomplete application status indicates further action is required by the applicant.

Graduate Admissions Evaluation* : Admission file is complete and being evaluated by the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office to determine if the applicant has met the minimum SDSU requirements for admission. Review the University Catalog for minimum requirements. There is no further action required of the applicant.

Department Review* : The SDSU Graduate Admissions Office has completed the initial evaluation and the applicant's file has been forwarded to the graduate department for review. Each graduate department makes admission recommendations based on an applicant's completed file (transcripts, diploma/degree certificate) and any required supplemental documents (resume, personal statement, letter of recommendation). There is no further action required of the applicant.

*Please note this status only applies to required documents submitted to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Applicants should check with their individual department for the status of required supplemental documents.

How long will it take to process my documents?

Allow at least three weeks for processing after documents have been submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office. The status of documents and test scores will be updated in your my.SDSU account after they have been evaluated by the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Please do not submit your documents multiple times, as this will cause delays in processing.

Quick Links

• Cal State Apply Help
• Application Guide
• Contact Graduate Admissions

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Community for San Diego State University students, alumnus, faculty, parents/families and friends of students/alumni's and prospective students.

Got accepted early?? What does this mean

Hi, I'm a senior in hs and I applied to sdsu at the end of November. I read that sdsu's avg gpa is 3.7 but I wasn't sure if that was weighted or unweighted. My csu weighted gpa is 4.2 and my unweighted gpa is 3.88. The site said to expect decisions released between March and April, which is the normal time for uc and cal state decisions to go out. I'm just wondering why I got accepted early? They don't do rolling admissions, so it can't be case by case right? Does this mean I am a top applicant they wanted to admit early? Not trying to be a snooty fart, I'm just super curious. Or did they get my application first because I applied before they extended the application deadline? Anyone else had the same thing happen to them?

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