cal state transfer application essay

Transfer Admissions

Cal State LA is pleased to announce that effective Spring 2025, we will accept both lower-division and upper division transfer students!

Admission Requirements

To qualify for regular admission as a transfer student, you first need to determine if you are a lower or upper division transfer student.

*The CSU Critical Thinking course requirement is waived for most Engineering and Computer Science majors. 

• To be considered for transfer admission, you must complete the minimum requirements by the end of the prior Spring term for Fall admission, and by the end of the prior Summer term for Spring admission.
• Computer Science BS  
• Criminal Justice BS
• Fire Protection Administration Technology BS  
• Nursing BS  
• Psychology BA
• Social Work BA
• Television, Film and Media Studies BA
• Urban Learning BA: Teacher Prep

I am interested in applying for:

Application Process

• Explore and choose a major to declare on your application
• Apply online at Cal State Apply by the deadline
• Update the transfer coursework reported on your application
• Submit official transcripts or other documents only if requested

STEP 1: Explore and choose a major to declare on your application

Cal State LA requires applicants to declare a major on the application for admission consideration. Applicants must thoroughly educate themselves on their intended major's requirements for admission and degree completion prior to submitting an application for admission.  Changes of major cannot be requested once the application has been submitted. In addition, once a student has enrolled at Cal State LA changes of major are limited based on both the admission requirements of the major and Cal State LA's Timely Graduation policy.

STEP 2: Apply online at Cal State Apply by the deadline

Applicants must apply between August 1-31, 2024 for Spring 2025 admission; or October 1, 2024-December 2, 2024 for Fall 2025 admission . To apply to Cal State LA, visit Cal State Apply . You will be required to enter all of your college coursework as part of the application process. In addition, applicants to majors with supplemental admission criteria will have to report their progress in meeting the Major-Specific Requirements for Admission . Applicants must ensure all information is reported accurately. Failure to do so may affect their admission decision. Once the application is submitted, we will send you a notification by email to acknowledge the receipt of your application.

For tips on how to complete the application, visit our  Application Tips webpage .

STEP 3: For Fall applicants, update the transfer coursework reported in your application

You will be required to update your academic course information to be considered for admission:

• For Fall admission: Transfer coursework must be updated in January so that Fall grades and Spring enrollment can be included.
• For Spring admission: No transfer update is required. If offered admission, official transcripts with grades thru the preceding summer must be submitted by November 1st.

Additional information may also be requested of some applicants at this stage in the process. Please do not submit transcripts or other documents unless requested.

STEP 4: Submit official transcripts if offered admission

Cal State LA makes transfer admission decisions based on self-reported information from the application. In order to verify eligibility, admitted students will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. Lower division admits, will also be required to submit official transcript from high school of graduation. Admission decisions are conditional and may be withdrawn for students who misreported, missed the document deadline, or are not on track to meet the terms of the admission offer. Admitted students wishing to accept our offer will need to submit all official transcripts within 30 days of the admission offer.

Additional documents may be required in certain circumstances:

• Students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) will be required to verify that they are on-track for completion of the degree by the end of Spring for Fall admission, or by the end of Summer for Spring admission.
• Students who are eligible to receive credit based on Advanced Placement, CLEP, or International Baccalaureate assessments will need to have official test scores sent to Cal State LA. Be aware that credit granted by another institution does not 'transfer' to Cal State LA for test credit.
• For purposes of determining California residency, some students may be required to submit additional documents. Review the Residency webpage for information regarding the establishment of California residency.
• Veterans of the United States Armed Forces should submit discharge papers (Form DD 214). This should include descriptions of the types of training you received while in the service. Such training, in some cases, may count as credit transferable to Cal State LA. Additionally, Veterans and active duty military should also submit their military transcripts (e.g. AARTS, SMART, or Community College of the Air Force) displaying additional coursework that may be transferable.

Admissions Notifications

Cal State LA uses email as the official means of communication with applicants. Initial admission communications are sent to the email reported in the Cal State Apply application. Applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the University, and to check their email regularly.

Throughout the admissions process, the Office of Admissions and Recruitment will send communications to the "preferred" email address as indicated in your GET Student Center. You may update your email address at any time by visiting your Golden Eagle Territory (GET) Self-Service Student Center .

To help prevent these important emails from being flagged as spam/junk mail by your email provider, please mark the calstatela.edu domain as a safe sender in your email account.

Offers of admission are normally made in February and March for Fall admission, and in October for Spring admission. All offers of admission will be provisional and subject to verification based on official transcripts. Admission offers may be withdrawn if the GPA, completed courses, or course grades are lower than what is reported or if you miss any admission deadlines. Please make sure to report accurate information on your application.

How do I accept the offer of admission?

To accept the admission offer, admitted students must pay the non-refundable $100 Enrollment Confirmation Deposit (ECD) by May 1st for Fall admission ; or November 1st for Spring admission . The deposit will offset a portion of the student's State University Fee. This is in addition to submitting documents to confirm the admission decision within 30 days of the admission offer.

What if I am not offered admission to Cal State LA?

In addition to applying to Cal State LA, we hope you have considered applying to one or two other colleges so that you will have alternatives in the event that you are not offered admission.

Can I appeal my admission decision?

If you believe you are eligible for Cal State LA admission, you may appeal our decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 15 days of the date of the denial notification and must include a basis for the appeal and supporting academic records. We will respond via email to your appeal request within four to six weeks. Only one appeal may be submitted for an academic term. For more information, visit the Admission Appeals webpage .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, tips for writing a great cal state essay.

What are some key elements to include in a strong Cal State application essay? Are there any specific topics or themes that schools tend to appreciate more?

Writing a strong Cal State application essay is about showcasing your unique experiences, values, and goals. Although there isn't a one-size-fits-all formula for success, here are some tips to help you craft an engaging and persuasive essay:

1. Tell a compelling story: Admissions officers read countless essays, so make sure your essay stands out by telling a captivating story that demonstrates a unique aspect of who you are. Focus on a singular experience or a brief series of related events that highlight your personal growth.

2. Show, don't tell: Use vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of your experiences, letting the reader infer your qualities and values rather than explicitly stating them. For example, instead of saying you're a good leader, describe a situation where your leadership skills were put to the test and how you handled it.

3. Demonstrate self-reflection: Reflect on how the experiences you discuss in your essay helped shape you as a person, and what lessons you learned from them. This shows the reader that you have a strong sense of self-awareness and a desire for personal growth.

4. Be authentic: Avoid using cliché essay topics or overused themes. Write about something genuinely important to you, even if it's not considered a "traditional" topic. This will make your essay feel more genuine and help the reader connect with you on a deeper level.

5. Show your fit for Cal State: If possible, incorporate aspects of Cal State's values or campus culture into your essay to showcase how you will contribute to the community. For example, you might discuss your dedication to service or your passion for diversity and inclusion, which align with the university's mission.

6. Edit and revise: Take the time to revise your essay multiple times, ensuring that your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. This shows the admissions officers that you are committed to presenting your best self and are serious about the opportunity to attend Cal State.

Remember, the most important factor is to make your essay unique and personal to you. By sharing a well-crafted story that highlights your values and growth, you can create a strong Cal State application essay that will leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

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.

Transfer Students

Admissions requirements.

California State University, San Bernardino is an impacted CSU campus at the program level for Undergraduate First-Year and Transfer students. Program level impaction means that, CSUSB receives more eligible applicants during our initial application filing period than can be accommodated in the incoming class for some impacted majors. As part of program level impaction, additional admission standards have been set for students graduating from California colleges outside of our defined local area. 

Additional information about CSU Impaction, and how it can effect you can be found at the  CSU, Chancellor's Offic e website.

CSUSB information for impacted programs of Pre-Criminal Justice, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Psychology, Pre-Social Work, and Kinesiology - Allied Health and can be found on our Transfer Impaction Criteria  website.  

There are two paths to be eligible as a transfer student and transfer applicants must meet one of the two eligibility path requirements:

Lower division.

*The Lower Division transfer pathway is open to non-impacted programs only.

• Applicant who has completed fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) units of college credit is considered a lower division
• Have achieved an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 
• A course in Written Communication (GE Breadth Area A2)
• A course in Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (GE Breadth Area B4)
• Be in good standing at the last institution attended.
• Have graduated from high school (received a high school diploma or general education development, or GED, certification)
• Have completed “a-g” course requirements in high school

Upper Division 

• Applicant who has completed 60 or more semester (90 quarter) units of transferable course work taken at a regionally accredited* community college or university.
• Have achieved an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 for non-impacted majors.
• Oral Communication (A1)
• Written Communication (A2)
• Critical Thinking (A3)
• Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
• Meet minimum program impaction criteria for impacted majors  (GPA requirements and/or program specific requirements) for either Local Area or Out of  Local Area students depending on their status. 

*Regional accreditation includes:

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Schools and Colleges

Questions and Resources

A complete list of transferable courses from the California Community Colleges to CSUSB may be found at  ASSIST .

Please note: We recommend meeting with your community college counselor to ensure you are enrolled in the Golden Four Courses.

If you are unsure if your units will transfer make a pre-application appointment with and Admissions Counselor. Call us at (909)537-5188 to schedule your appointment. 

Grade Point Average Requirements

California residents must have a transferable grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”) or better to be reviewed for admission. However, due to program level impaction CSUSB will set the minimum qualified GPA requirement for admission for impacted majors based on the impacted major application pool for the term. Local and Non Local impacted major applicants will face different GPA minimums. Minimums will depend on the number of qualified applicants received at the end of the priority application filing period and enrollment limits. The required minimum qualifying GPA for impacted majors will vary each term. 

CSUSB has defined its local area to include specific Community Colleges within San Bernardino and Riverside County. A list of local schools can be found on our Transfer Impaction website . All other institutions are considered outside our local area.

Students who attended more than one institution will be classified depending on where the majority of their coursework was completed or which institution they last attended.  

Local Area Students

Local area impacted major transfer applicants will be given prioritized admission through lower minimum qualifying GPA requirements than those set for our non-local area impacted major transfer applicants. The qualifying GPA will depend on the number of qualified applicants received at the end of the priority application filing period and enrollment limits. The required minimum qualified GPA may vary each term. 

Out of Local Area Students

Out of local area impacted major transfer applicant GPA minimums will depend on the number of qualified applicants received at the end of the priority application filing period and enrollment limits. The required minimum qualified GPA may vary each term. 

Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T and AS-T)

Student Transfer Agreement Reform Act (SB 1440-Padilla), enables the California Community Colleges and California State University systems to collaborate on the creation of Associate Degrees for Transfer. These degrees assist with CSU graduation initiatives to allow students to earn a bachelors degree in four years. Upon completion of the Associate Degree for Transfer, students are eligible to transfer into the CSU system with junior standing.

See which CSUSB majors are available for this " degree with a guarantee ".

For more information about transferring your AA-T or AS-T degrees to CSUSB, visit our Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) website.  

Transfer Pathways Mapper

CSUSB and Chaffey College are currently piloting an online tool called the Transfer Pathways Mapper.  It provides example four-year roadmaps for students who complete their first two years at Chaffey, earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), and then transfer to CSUSB in a similar major.  Majors currently available in the online tool include: Anthropology, Biology, Child Development, Communication, Criminal Justice, English, History, Mathematics, Psychology, Public History, and Sociology.  Administration majors will be available soon.

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Spring 2025 application august 1- august 31, 2024, fall 2025 application: october 1- november 30, 2024 ( campus impaction deadlines ) .

• Prepare application materials  such as transcripts, current and planned courses, annual household income, citizenship status and social security number (if available).
• Credit/Debit card or Paypal account  to pay the $70 application fee (per campus), unless you qualify for an application fee waiver.   Important:  Cal State Apply automatically considers for an application fee waiver based on the information provided in the application, and provides immediate eligibility for a fee waiver .  The use of fee waiver forms is not required.
• Stay in Touch! Add [email protected]  to your email address book or safe senders list, and check your email often. Your application status   will be available on your  CSUF Student Homepage .

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Supplemental Application

After submitting your Cal State Apply application, you may be required to submit a Supplemental Application. The Supplemental Application for Transfer is an online application that is specific to you, is specific to your intended major, and is specific to CSU Long Beach. You will be asked to review and confirm your academic record, including all colleges attended. You will also be asked to confirm your CSU eligibility and you will also be asked to report your progress towards completion of your Major Specific admission criteria.    

It is critical that the Supplemental Application is accurately completed and in its entirety.  You are encouraged to review your academic records and to consult with counselors before you complete the Supplemental Application. Please note that, unlike the Cal State application, you will be given several weeks to complete the Supplemental Application, and you will have the opportunity to revisit your application and adjust your answers before the final deadline.  

Transfer Applicants can click on this link during the submission period to: 

• Complete the Supplemental Application for Transfer Applicants

Please note : Please do not submit transcripts or other documents unless requested.

Supplemental Application Dates and Deadlines 

• Spring 2025 Admission: Submission period: September 1 - September 21, 2024. The supplemental application will be completed in September so that Summer grades can be included. Courses must be completed by the prior summer term to be considered for Spring admission.  
• Fall 2025 Admission: Submission period: January 4 - February 1, 2025. The supplemental application will be completed in January so that Fall grades and Spring enrollment can be included. Courses must be completed by the prior spring term to be considered for Fall admission.

Common Questions on the Supplemental Application

Video tutorials below feature the classic (prior to 12/01/23) MyCSULB Student Center experience. See What’s New with MyCSULB Student Center.

• Video Answer:  How Do I Know If I’ve Completed Everything on the Supplemental Application?
• Video Answer:  Did I Report My Test Scores and College Attendance Correctly?
• Video Answer:  How Do I Report My Coursework?
• Video Answer:  I’m an ADT (SB-1440) Student - What Should I Know About The Supplemental Application?

Resources for Completing the Supplemental Application

For a preview of the Supplemental application and information on how to prepare to complete it, we suggest that you review:

• Overview of the Supplemental Application for Transfer Applicants (PDF)
• Determining Courses that Meet the Major Specific Admission Requirements (PDF)

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Transfer Student Requirements

Our admission requirements for transfer students include:

• Your transfer GPA,
• Completion of CSU General Education courses and
• Good academic standing at the last college or university you attended.

To support incoming students, all California State University campuses are being flexible with some admissions requirements. For more information, visit Community College Guidance for Incoming Transfers .

Transfer Eligibility Requirements

All upper-division transfer students need to meet the minimum criteria listed below:

• Some majors receive more applications than CSUN has spots to offer. To qualify for admission to these majors, California applicants must meet or exceed higher GPAs, which are set annually. Please see the Transfer Impaction page for more information about impacted majors.
• Written Communication
• Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
• Critical Thinking
• Oral Communication (Speech)
• Note: Students applying as Engineering or Computer Science majors do not have to complete a critical thinking course prior to admission.
• Be in good standing at the last college or university attended in a regular session.
• If you have attended a California community college, please use eTranscript California to submit transcripts.
• Please do not send identical, duplicate paper and electronic transcripts!
• Send us your AP, CLEP and IB test scores if any. Because of the pandemic, CSUN will honor all existing transferable credit articulation for spring 2020 and spring 2021 AP exams on which scores of 3, 4 or 5 are earned — regardless of the test delivery method.

If you are an international student, please visit the International Transfer Admission page to find information to help you apply.

If you are a veteran transfer student, please visit the Undergraduate Veteran Students Admission page to find information to help you apply.

Admission is provisional until all eligibility requirements and deadlines have been met.

Check for Impaction

To find out whether or not impaction affects you, take the following steps in the suggested order:

1. Determine if you will be applying to an impacted major .

• Choose your major carefully. Ask your college counselor for tools to explore careers or contact a CSUN preadmissions counselor to talk through options.
• Find out which of the California community college Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T and AS-T) majors will transfer to CSUN.

2. You are NOT affected by impaction if you are a nonresident of California or a U.S. service member (active duty or veteran).

Course Completion

Complete all course work required for admission by the end of the following terms:

• Fall admission: Complete all requirements by the end of the previous spring term. No summer course work taken after you applied for admission to CSUN will be considered for admission.
• Spring admission: Complete all requirements by the end of the previous fall term.

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I am a Transfer Student

Why CSUN: Sharing the Student Story

Watch the Video

Apply to CSUN

Welcome, Transfer Student Applicant

We’re so glad you are exploring California State University, Northridge as your next institution of higher education. We’re looking for students like you. Students who are determined to succeed no matter what obstacles they encounter. Students who want to make a difference in their communities. Talented, passionate inquisitive students who are ready to achieve their goals. Join the Matador nation!

I am a Future Freshman Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

I am a Transfer StudentLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

I am a Graduate StudentLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

I am a Returning Student Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

I am a Future International Student Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

I am a Future Veteran Student Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis luctus, diam eget ultricies fermentum, augue nunc tincidunt nisl, vitae ullamcorper tortor ipsum sit amet ex.

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Transfer Student

Transfer admission criteria, lower-division and upper-division students.

A transfer applicant is a prospective student who has taken college courses after the summer following their high school graduation. CSUSM accepts applications from lower-division* and upper-division transfer applicants.

• Lower-division : applicants who have completed fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered lower-division, and must submit official high school and college transcripts.
• Upper-division : applicants who have completed 60 or more (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered upper-division, and must submit official college transcripts only.

In addition, lower-division and upper-division applicants must submit official AP/IB test scores, if using them to meet admission requirements.  

* The Nursing program does not accept lower division transfer applicants. 

Lower-Division Transfer Admission Requirements

• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C-) or better in all transferable units attempted;
• Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in written communication and a course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying CSU GE Breadth Areas A2 and B4 requirements, respectively;
• Be in good standing at the last institution attended; and
• The applicant meets the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term for which the application is submitted.

Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

• Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher
• In good standing at the last institution of attendance
• Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in written communication and a course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying CSU GE Breadth Areas A2 and B4 requirements, respectively.
• Spring admission requirements must be completed by the end of the preceding summer term. Courses completed in fall will not be considered for spring admission.

Fall admission requirements listed above must be completed by the end of the preceding spring term. Courses completed in summer will not be considered for fall admission.

Local Admission Area Applicants

A transfer applicant is considered to be in our local admissions area if their last school of attendance is Palomar, MiraCosta, Mt. San Jacinto, or Imperial Valley College.

Prospective students from outside of CSUSM's local admission area are welcome to apply for admission during the priority application period.  Read more about local and non-local admission area, impaction criteria and impacted majors.

Apply for Admission

Submit an application along with the $70 application fee to Cal State San Marcos on Cal State Apply.  You will receive an email confirmation once your application has been submitted.

See How to Apply page for deadlines. 

Apply to CSUSM!

After you apply...

Before February 15: Submit official IB or AP test results if scores are needed to fulfill the A2 or B4 General Education requirement or 60 units of completed college credits.

MyCSUSM is an online student portal which provides you access to your student records, including the status of your application for admission, transcripts and other admissions materials.  Shortly after you submit your application, you will receive an email from the Student Technology Help Desk with instructions on how to access MyCSUSM.

If you are having trouble logging into MyCSUSM , please contact the Student Technology Help Desk at [email protected].

Visit MyCSUSM and check your emails frequently for important information and updates!

Admission is based on information reported on official transcripts and self-reported information for planned and in-progress coursework from your application. Once you have been conditionally admitted, we verify this information against your final official transcripts. Please make sure to report accurate information.

Your admission may be rescinded for any of the following reasons:

• Your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0
• You earn D or F grades in any coursework needed to complete the required A2 or B4 General Education requirements. 
• You misreport and do not complete a required course
• Update Your Email and Mailing Address Important information from CSUSM will be communicated to you via e-mail. It is imperative that we have your correct email and mailing addresses. To update your information, go to your Student Center on MyCSUSM and under 'General Information', edit account details.

First-year requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

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• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

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Personal insight questions

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Applying as a transfer

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• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

Score a Touchdown with a REAL ID

Contact:  Office of Public Affairs 2415 First Avenue Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 657–6437 |  [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 2024

Sacramento – More than 18 million Californians now have a REAL ID – an increase of 153,671 from August 2024, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

With the kickoff of the NFL football season upon us, consider starting your application online to get a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card to avoid being blocked at airports when the federal enforcement date of May 7, 2025, arrives.

It is not necessary to wait for the federal enforcement date that requires a REAL ID or other federally approved document to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities. Doing it now means one less thing to worry about in 2025 if you want to use your driver’s license or ID card to fly around the country.

“Don’t get a penalty flag by waiting until after the May 7 enforcement date to get your REAL ID. Start your drive to the REAL ID end zone today. It’s one of the easiest plays you can make,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.

To apply for a REAL ID, Californians should visit  REALID.dmv.ca.gov , fill out the online application and upload their documents. Customers must visit a DMV office and bring their uploaded documents to complete the application. By starting the process online, it should take only about 15 minutes in the office. Customers need to provide:

• Proof of identity* – One original or certified document (example: valid passport, birth certificate) *Legal name change document(s) is required if name on proof of identity is different from the name on the other documents (example: marriage certificate, adoption papers).
• Proofs of California residency – Two documents, paper copies (example: utility bill, bank statement).
• Social Security number (exceptions may apply).

Visit  REALID.dmv.ca.gov  for a complete list of acceptable documents and a link to the online application.

Historical REAL ID information:

• Total REAL ID cardholders as of September 1, 2024: 18,011,307
• Total REAL ID cardholders as of August 1, 2024: 17,857,636
• Total REAL ID cardholders as September 1, 2023: 16,332,785

Online Services

The DMV has taken many steps to offer more digital services. Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit, including simple self-service transactions that are no longer available in offices. The DMV encourages customers to use its  online services  and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the  Service Advisor  on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

To sign up for paperless vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal notices, customers must sign in or create a secure online account at  dmv.ca.gov , and then opt in.

Sign up to receive the latest DMV News Alerts:  DMV NEWS ALERTS – California DMV

General Disclaimer

When interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Virtual Assistant, please do not include any personal information.

When your chat is over, you can save the transcript. Use caution when using a public computer or device.

The DMV chatbot and live chat services use third-party vendors to provide machine translation. Machine translation is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. The DMV is unable to guarantee the accuracy of any translation provided by the third-party vendors and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in the formatting of the content resulting from the use of the translation service.

The content currently in English is the official and accurate source for the program information and services DMV provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated content, please refer to the English version.

Google™ Translate Disclaimer

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website uses Google™ Translate to provide automatic translation of its web pages. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. Google™ Translate is a free third-party service, which is not controlled by the DMV. The DMV is unable to guarantee the accuracy of any translation provided by Google™ Translate and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in the formatting of the pages resulting from the use of the translation application tool.

The web pages currently in English on the DMV website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the DMV provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version.

The following pages provided on the DMV website cannot be translated using Google™ Translate:

• Publications
• Field Office Locations
• Online Applications

Please install the Google Toolbar

Google Translate is not support in your browser. To translate this page, please install the Google Toolbar (opens in new window) .

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Application Dates & Deadlines

Cal State Apply is available to accept applications for Spring 2023.  Thank you for your patience.  Be sure to check the Application Dates and Deadlines section for campus specific deadlines and available programs.

Find out which CSU campuses are currently accepting applications, which majors are open or closed, and read any notices from the campus(es) you’re interested in.

Is Your Campus Still Accepting Applications?

Last updated May 30, 2024, 12:19 PM (PT)

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Application Filing Status - Fall 2017

Applications for Fall 2017 are accepted beginning October 1, 2016 .