california state university los angeles essay requirements

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Cal State Los Angeles Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Cal State Los Angeles'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 Cal State Los Angeles and build a strong application.

School location: Los Angeles, CA

This school is also known as: CSU Los Angeles, Cal State Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles

Admissions Rate: 86.9%

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 Cal State Los Angeles is 86.9% . For every 100 applicants, 87 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet Cal State Los Angeles's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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Cal State Los Angeles 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: 3.35

The average GPA at Cal State Los Angeles is 3.35 .

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

With a GPA of 3.35, Cal State Los Angeles accepts below-average students . It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in. It'd be best to avoid C's and D's, since application readers might doubt whether you can handle the stress of college academics.

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.

Cal State Los Angeles 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 Cal State Los Angeles 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.

Cal State Los Angeles 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: 985

The average SAT score composite at Cal State Los Angeles is a 985 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Cal State Los Angeles Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.

Cal State Los Angeles SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 850, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1045. In other words, a 850 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1045 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.

Cal State Los Angeles 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, Cal State Los Angeles 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 Cal State Los Angeles 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 850, 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.

Cal State Los Angeles ACT Requirements

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

Average ACT: 18

The average ACT score at Cal State Los Angeles is 18. This score makes Cal State Los Angeles Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 16, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 24.

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 16 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 Cal State Los Angeles, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 16.

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.

Cal State Los Angeles 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 lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 850 SAT or a 16 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

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?

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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 Cal State Los Angeles 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 July 15

Coursework Requirements

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

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes August 21 May 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 5151 Los Angeles, CA 90032
• Phone: (323) 343-3000 x3000
• Fax: (323) 343-2670
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Cal State Los Angeles, 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 Cal State Los Angeles.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Cal State Los Angeles. 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 Cal State Los Angeles, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Cal State Los Angeles, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Cal State Los Angeles 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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• LOS ANGELES, CA
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• Rating 3.63 out of 5   3,220 reviews

How to Apply to California State University - Los Angeles

Start your application, application requirements.

• High School GPA Required
• High School Rank Neither required nor recommended
• High School Transcript Required
• College Prep Courses Required
• SAT/ACT Considered but not required
• Recommendations Neither required nor recommended

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Cal State University, Los Angeles: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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California State University, Los Angeles is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 48%. Located in the University Hills district of Los Angeles, CSULA is one of the  23 schools  that make up the California State University system.

The university offers over 100 undergraduate, graduate, pre-professional, and certificate programs. Among undergraduates, programs in business administration, education, criminal justice, and social work are the most popular. Cal State LA has a 23-to-1  student/faculty ratio . In athletics, the CSULA Golden Eagles compete in the NCAA Division II  California Collegiate Athletic Association .

Considering applying to CSULA? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, CSULA had an acceptance rate of 48%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 48 students were admitted, making CSULA's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Cal State University Los Angles requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 96% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of CSULA's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Cal State Los Angeles scored between 450 and 540, while 25% scored below 450 and 25% scored above 540. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 440 and 540, while 25% scored below 440 and 25% scored above 540. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1080 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Cal State Los Angeles.

Requirements

Cal State Los Angeles does not require the SAT writing section. Note that CSULA will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject test scores are not required, but if the score meets a benchmark, it may be used to fulfill certain core course requirements.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Cal State Los Angeles requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 39% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Cal State Los Angeles' admitted students fall within the  bottom 20% nationally  on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to CSULA received a composite ACT score between 15 and 20, while 25% scored above 20 and 25% scored below 15%.

Cal State Los Angeles does not require the ACT writing section. Note that CSULA does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. 

In 2018, the average high school GPA for incoming Cal State Los Angeles freshman was 3.24. These results suggest that most successful applicants to CSULA have primarily B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to California State University, Los Angeles. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Cal State Los Angeles, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. What makes the difference between an acceptance and a rejection? Unlike the  University of California System , the  California State University  admission process is not  holistic . Except for EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) students, applicants do  not  need to submit letters of recommendation or an application essay, and extracurricular involvement is not part of the standard application.

Admissions are based primarily on an  eligibility index  that combines GPA and test scores. To be admitted to CSULA, you must have completed and achieved a 2.7 minimum GPA in required college preparatory courses which include two years of history and social science, four years of college prep English, three years of math, two years of laboratory science, one year of visual or performing arts, and one year of a college preparatory elective. Applicants should be aware that California State University, Los Angeles is designated as  impacted  because it receives more applications than can be accommodated. Due to impaction, particularly competitive majors such as Biology, Business, and Nursing may have additional requirements for eligibility.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and California State University, Los Angeles Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Introductory Comments

California State University, Los Angeles offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Science. The specific bachelor’s degrees and academic majors are listed below. Minors and certificate programs are also available in many fields and are also listed below. Full descriptions of each of these programs, including specific information about admission requirements, curriculum, courses of instruction, and graduation requirements are presented in the Academic Departments     section. Within each chapter, the administrative units offering the academic programs    are listed in alphabetical order. There are Indices of Academic Programs and Directories of Offices    on the left Navigation.  Characteristics of the different Bachelor’s degrees and the general degree requirements for all Bachelor’s Degrees at Cal State L.A. are described after the listings immediately below.

In addition, the basic information about undergraduate preparation for California teaching credentials is presented later in this chapter. The undergraduate and postbaccalaureate subject matter portions of each of the teaching credential programs are fully described in the appropriate academic department, division or interdisciplinary programs section of that Academic Departments     section. All of the basic credential programs, the specialist and administrative credential requirements, and the Postbaccalaureate programs of study which prepare students for these credentials are all described in the Charter College of Education     portion of the Academic Departments    section, with further details available within the Divisional portions of the Academic Departments     section chapter.

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with all degree requirements and to consult an academic adviser on a regular basis.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Degree characteristics.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is designed to provide a balanced liberal arts education and general knowledge in a recognized discipline, interdisciplinary field, or areas of professional study.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is designed to provide a balanced liberal arts education and a scientific, technical, or professional entry level of competence.

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree provides a balanced liberal arts education with additional preparation in musical performance with emphasis on high performance standards.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires the satisfactory completion of 120 semester units. The Bachelor of Science degree unit requires 120 semester units, and the Bachelor of Music degree requires 126 semester units. Included in the total unit requirement for each of these degrees is a minimum of 48 semester units of general education courses, including 9 upper division semester General Education units in residence at Cal State L.A. For each degree a minimum of 40 semester units must carry upper division credit (courses numbered 3000-4999). Courses numbered above 4999 are intended for graduate students only and are not applicable toward bachelor’s degrees.

Catalog Requirements Under Which an Undergraduate Student Graduates

Unless exception is requested under one of the provisions below, students enrolling at Cal State L.A. for the first time must meet degree requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time of entrance. The catalog date is specified on each student’s credit summary and on the unofficial transcript available on GET.

Baccalaureate students who remain in attendance in regular sessions at any California State University campus, any California community college, or any combination of California community colleges and CSU campuses and thereafter at Cal State L.A. may elect to meet Cal State L.A. graduation requirements in effect at the time they began such attendance, at the time they entered Cal State L.A., or at the time of graduation from Cal State L.A. In this context, attendance means attendance in at least one semester or two quarters each calendar year, which may include Cal State L.A.catalog courses taken through a special session or Open University through the College of Professional and Global Education. Absence due to approved educational leave or for attendance at another accredited institution of higher learning shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the interruption does not exceed two years. Absence due to approved educational leave or for attendance at another accredited institution of higher learning shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the interruption does not exceed two years. Disqualified students retain their existing catalog privileges under the conditions outlined above.

All other transfer students and students who have not remained in attendance as described above will be held to Cal State L.A. graduation requirements in effect at the beginning of their most recent period of attendance at Cal State L.A. or, alternatively, at the time of graduation. Students who change to a new degree and/or major objective must meet requirements for the new degree and/or major in the catalog in effect at the time of change. If courses described under earlier requirements are no longer available, the major department or division may authorize or require appropriate substitutes.

General Education is an integral component of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Students who remain in attendance as defined above normally will meet General Education requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time of entrance. However, they may elect to meet General Education requirements in the catalog in effect either at the time of entrance or graduation and need not meet major requirements from the same catalog. If courses described under earlier requirements are no longer available, appropriate substitutes must be selected from the current list of courses approved for the area involved.

Time Limits on Major Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees

A department, division or school may specify that no subject, unit, or grade credit be granted for specific upper division courses offered by that department, division or school to students who completed such courses more than ten years before the date of their bachelor’s degree. Courses with time limits are designated in the course descriptions in this catalog and on the major program advisement sheets submitted by each student’s major department, division or school to the Graduation Office. When a Cal State L.A. course is so designated, the restriction also applies to equivalent courses transferred from other institutions. Students may petition for and, in extraordinary circumstances, the major departments, divisions, and schools may grant permission to validate by examination such an expired course with the concurrence of the department, division or school that offers the course or its equivalent. For all requirements, election of any catalog will not extend beyond ten years after its designated academic year.

Timely Progress to Degree Completion for Undergraduate Students - Milestones and Advising Guidelines

(Senate: 10/20/20; President: 11/5/20)

This policy is designed to provide clear guidelines that will help students graduate in a timely manner, remain in good standing with financial aid, and in compliance with CSU policies about time to degree.  It also provides information about the role that advisors and the University play in supporting students along the way.

First and Second Years

During their first year, freshmen will be encouraged to explore their major options. Students who have selected a prospective major should validate their choice through their coursework, interactions with their departments, and engagement with other campus resources, including the Career Center and student clubs and organizations. Advisors will support students throughout this process. They will proactively identify and support students who are off track and help students select and affirm their major and degree pathway by the end of their second year.

Third Year and Beyond

When first-time freshmen reach their third year, and transfer students are in their first year, they will have declared a major.  Advisors and faculty will encourage students to explore their major more deeply through coursework, research, scholarly and creative activities, and by participating in co-and extra-curricular activities that will prepare them to embark upon a career or pursue a post-baccalaureate degree. By the time first-time freshmen reach the second semester of their third year (and transfer students their first year), students should be working with advisors to ensure that they are completing degree requirements needed in order to apply for graduation in the fall of their final year. Students are expected to meet the following milestones along the pathway to their degree:

Advising for First-Time Students

First-time freshmen and transfer students are required to participate in academic advising before the beginning of their first year at Cal State LA

First-time freshmen are required to meet with an advisor during their first year to validate that they are on the right path and/or to explore alternatives.

Declaring a Major

First-time freshmen shall declare a major by the end of the second year; an option or concentration within the major must also be declared at that time if applicable.

First-time freshmen who are pre-majors and are not on track to be able to complete their major specific criteria by the end of their second year may be granted an extra semester under the following conditions:

• If they need an additional semester to pursue a major in their home college
• If they need an additional semester to complete pre-major requirements for a different major within their home college

Students who are not able to meet major specific criteria for a major in their home college will be referred to the University Academic Advisement Center as “exploring” students to find a major that they can complete in a timely manner.

Changing Majors or Adding a Major or Minor

• Students may only change degree objectives if they can complete those requirements in six years (first-time freshmen) or four years (transfer students).
• Changing majors in or after their third year (for first-time freshmen) or in their first year or later year (for transfer students) is permitted under certain circumstances. Students seeking to do so should be able to complete their degree requirements within six years (for first-time freshmen) or four years (for transfer students). They should meet with an advisor to review a degree plan and discuss career goals. The advisor shall review and approve the degree plan to ensure that it does not exceed these limits.

Preparing for Graduation

• First-time freshmen should apply for graduation during the fall term of their fourth year if they are planning to graduate in four years (during the fall term of their second year for transfer students);
• Identification and implementation of appropriate course substitutions that will help the student complete degree requirements;
• Limiting students to one major that can be completed in a timely manner;
• Restricting enrollment to courses required to graduate in the major for which graduation is most likely to occur in a reasonable time;
• In the rare case of students who have met graduation requirements but have not applied for graduation, the University may automatically graduate them; such students will be charged graduation fee.

Exceptions : Some students, such as students who are not able to be continuously enrolled, or students who are unlikely to meet graduation requirements for their current majors, may require an exception to the limits in this policy. Students requesting an exception to the limits in this policy should file an appeal for an exception to Academic Policy to the AVP of Undergraduate Studies. The appeal must include a rationale, such as specific circumstances beyond the student’s control, and an advisor-approved plan to graduate.

Residence Requirement

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 30 semester units, including at least 24 upper division units, 12 units in the major, and 9 units in general education courses, in residence at Cal State L.A. for the baccalaureate. Credit earned in special sessions may be applied toward this residence requirement. However, only 24 residence units may be earned through Open University. Credit earned in extension courses or by examination may not apply toward the residence requirement.

Scholarship Requirements

In addition to meeting total unit requirements for graduation, students must also satisfy specific scholarship requirements. These include achievement of a minimum 2.0 grade point average (C on a scale in which A=4.0) in all units attempted, including those  accepted by transfer from another institution, all courses required for the major, all courses used to meet General Education requirements, and all units attempted at Cal State L.A.

Introduction to Higher Education Course Requirement

NOTE: This requirement must be completed no later than the second semester in attendance at Cal State L.A.

All undergraduate students who do not have a bachelor’s degree and enter Cal State L.A. Fall 1997 or later, and who are subject to the 1997 and later GE requirements, are required to complete an introduction to higher education course. Freshmen meet this requirement by enrolling in a 100-level course offered by the college that offers the student’s major. Undergraduate transfer students who entered Cal State L.A. Fall 1997 or later, and who are subject to the 1997 and later GE requirements, are required to complete an introduction to higher education course. Freshmen meet this requirement by enrolling in a 1000-level course offered by the college that offers the student’s major. This course, which must be completed no later than the second semester of residence at Cal State L.A., introduces students to the following aspects of the University: mission, Cal State L.A. learning outcomes, history, structure, policies and procedures, faculty expectations, resources and skills necessary for success, and content specific to the disciplines in the college in which the student is majoring. Special sections of the 1000-level course, UNIV 1010, are offered for undeclared students. Students should consult their academic advisers before enrolling in the courses.

Written English Competency Requirement

(Senate: 4/3/84; 9/23/92 [EA], 5/21/96, 10/14/15 [EA], 5/9/17; President: 4/19/84; 11/18/92, 8/12/96, 1/27/16, 5/24/17; Editorial Amendment: 8/01, 2/8/18 [EA])

All CSU students subject to degree requirements listed in the 1977-78 and subsequent catalogs are required to demonstrate competence in writing skills as a requirement for the bachelor’s degree. The development of competence in written English is a key institutional learning outcome that depends on the active participation of all University faculty. The main responsibility for teaching English Composition has historically resided within the English department, but because the University’s written English competency requirements span a student’s academic career, all faculty play an important role in helping students become effective writers.

At Cal State L.A., undergraduate students demonstrate competence in written English by meeting the following requirements:

First-Year Writing Requirement 

completing successfully a first-year writing course that satisfies the CSU General Education Block A Written Communication requirement;

Critical Thinking/Composition Requirement

completing successfully a second course in written English that satisfies the Cal State L.A. General Education Block A Critical Thinking/Composition requirement;

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

students will normally satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by completing the Upper-Division Disciplinary Writing Requirement with a grade of “C” or better; they may also satisfy it by successfully completing a university approved upper division university writing course that has received a GWAR designation; students who previously satisfied the GWAR by passing the WPE under the prior policy will have also satisfied the requirement;

Writing-Intensive (wi) Courses Requirement 

completing successfully at least two writing-intensive (WI) courses, at least one of which is in their major degree program;

Upper-Division Disciplinary Writing Requirement

Students will be required to complete successfully at least one upper-division course in their major degree program that focuses on teaching the practices, strategies, expectations and conventions of writing in English particular to their disciplines. Completion of GE Block A is a prerequisite for this course. Satisfactory completion of the Upper-Division Disciplinary Writing Requirement with a grade of “C” or better meets the graduate writing assessment requirement.

Lower Division Writing Requirements

Completion of the year-long course sequence or the one semester course or a transferrable CSU A2 Written Communications course with a grade of “C-” or better satisfies the first-year writing requirement. Completion of an approved Critical Thinking/Composition (GE A3) course or a transferrable CSU A3 Critical Thinking course with a grade of “C-” or better satisfies the Critical Thinking/Composition requirement.

Cal State L.A. students pursuing the baccalaureate who are subject to requirements of the 1984-85 or subsequent catalogs are required to satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). The GWAR is normally met by passing the Upper-Division Disciplinary Writing Requirement course with a grade of “C” or better. They may also satisfy it by successfully completing a university approved upper-division university writing course that has received a GWAR designation; students who previously satisfied the GWAR by passing the WPE under the prior policy will have also satisfied this requirement.

Writing-Intensive (wi) Courses Requirement

Writing-Intensive courses are defined in the policy “Definition, Philosophy, Student Learning Outcomes and Criteria for General Education Breadth Requirements.”

Summary of Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Other bachelor degree regulations, preliminary evaluation of college work completed elsewhere.

College work completed elsewhere is evaluated in terms of its relevance to Cal State L.A. course offerings and degree requirements. Preliminary evaluation information is sent to all new transfer and readmitted students at the time of notification of eligibility for admission to the University. A complete evaluation of transfer work is available on GET for all new transfer and readmitted students during their first semester of attendance. The evaluation identifies general education and graduation requirements met by transfer courses and transfer unit credit accepted. For readmitted students, it also identifies general education and graduation requirements met by Cal State L.A. courses. Students should review their evaluation carefully, consult their academic department promptly if they do not agree with or fully understand all information on the evaluation. The determination of the catalog governing graduation requirements is explained below.

Special Major for the Bachelor’s Degree

The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a Special Major allows selected students an opportunity to pursue individualized programs of study if their academic and professional goals cannot be met through existing degree programs, or combinations of programs (i.e., majors, minors, etc.), at Cal State L.A. or other CSU campuses. The Special Major consists of a program of study in two or more disciplines developed in consultation with faculty members from the respective departments. See the University Programs section of the Academic Departments    section for details about these degree programs.

Multiple Majors and/or Degrees

Students may earn more than one baccalaureate degree, (e.g., two B.A. degrees, or both a B.A. and a B.S. degree). Students may also earn a baccalaureate degree and a graduate degree, (e.g., B.S. and M.S. degrees) through select integrated degree programs. In such programs, degrees are awarded when the requirements for both the bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are met. Both degrees are awarded at the same time.

Students who wish to have multiple majors and/or degrees listed on their diploma and transcript must:

• Fulfill department/division/school requirements in the multiple majors and/or degrees;
• File a request endorsed by the multiple departments, divisions, and/or schools; and
• Be approved and recommended for graduation by the faculty of each major department, division or school granting the majors and/or degree(s)

Maximum Number of Majors and Minors

It is expected that students will complete study toward their baccalaureate degree in no more than 120% of the units required by their primary degree program, including a second major and/or any minors. Undergraduates may declare up to (a) two majors without a minor (b) one major and two minors. With the approval of the proposed department(s), students wishing to exceed the unit limits - i.e., changing majors or the maximum number of majors or minors - may petition the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for approval.

Change of Major and Dual Major

A change of major or the addition of a second major shall normally be allowed as long as the student can complete the new major or second major in no more than 120% of the units required for the student’s current baccalaureate degree counting only degree eligible units. Students should be made aware that a change of major or the addition of a second major will require adjustments be made to their degree plan and may delay graduation.

Second Baccalaureate

Students seeking a second baccalaureate from Cal State L.A. may qualify for graduation with the approval and recommendation of the faculty upon completion of the following:

• Residence and scholarship requirements then in effect;
• A major program as specified by the major department;
• Completion of a minimum of 30 semester units in residence beyond the requirements of the first degree. The 30 semester units in residence must include at least 24 units in upper-division courses, at least 12 units in the second academic major, and 9 units in general education if applicable.

In accordance with the revisions to Title V approved in 2011, a student who has previously earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or has completed equivalent academic preparation, as determined by the appropriate campus authority, shall not be required to undertake courses, including General Education, other than those that are specifically required to complete the current major within the degree program.

Post-baccalaureate students who are not deemed to have met General Education requirements upon matriculation must complete the following G.E. requirements if they were not completed as part of the first degree:

• 12 semester units in each of the three areas: natural sciences and mathematics, humanities, and social sciences, for a total of 36 units. Of these 36 units, students must complete 3 upper-division units in each of the three areas, a requirement which can be met by the upper-division General Education themes. Transfer courses will be evaluated as to meeting the GE Blocks as a whole and course by course comparability is not required.
• Statutory requirements: U.S. History, U. S. Constitution, and California state and local government.
• Diversity requirement: two G.E. courses designated as “diversity” courses.
• Any University requirements not previously satisfied.

Units included in a second baccalaureate program may not be applied to a graduate degree. Candidates for second baccalaureates are eligible for the Dean’s List and other academic honors based on the same criteria as candidates for first degrees. A second baccalaureate candidate may graduate with honors according to the same criteria as candidates for first degrees, with the grade point average computed on all units attempted in residence at Cal State L.A.

Although not required for a baccalaureate, minors are available in many fields that will help strengthen students’ preparation in areas related to their major field or to career choices. A minor consists of a formal aggregate of courses totaling 12 or more semester units.  At least 9 semester units must be upper division and taken in residence at Cal State L.A. A minimum of 12 units must be distinct from the core requirements in the student’s major but may overlap with the electives in the major. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in the minor program. Students must get approval from an advisor in the minor department in order to declare a minor. It is essential that this advisor verify that the courses used to satisfy the minor are aligned with the criteria stated above. The minor field will be noted on the student’s transcript and on the student’s diploma if the individual program has been approved by the offering department/division/school and is completed at the same time as or prior to the work for the degree itself. 

Credit Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are designed to augment University curricula by providing specialized instruction and training within units than a degree major. Cal State L.A. offers credit certificate programs that are open to qualified undergraduate students. Additional postbaccalaureate and graduate level programs information can be found in the Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Studies    chapter. Individual certificate program requirements and required courses appear in the program listings of the academic departments, divisions, schools and colleges that offer them.

Undergraduate Credit for Graduate Courses

Under special academic circumstances as specified below, an academic program, department, division or school, may approve the granting of baccalaureate credit for 5000-level course work to a maximum of two courses not to exceed a total of 6 semester units. Academic credits earned under this rule may not be used to satisfy requirements towards M.A. and M.S. degrees awarded by California State University, Los Angeles. Additionally, the following conditions must be met:

• Senior standing (completion of 90 semester units) at the start of the term in which the course will be taken;
• a grade point average adequate for admission in classified standing to the master’s program in that major;
• permission of the instructor teaching the course, the student’s advisor, and the chair or director of the department, division or school offering the course.

Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students with 90 semester units completed may take for graduate credit a maximum of 9 semester units in courses beyond the minimum requirements for the baccalaureate degree, provided they have maintained a grade point average of 2.75. Graduate credit is allowed for courses numbered in the 4000 and 5000 series only. Enrollment in any course for which graduate credit is requested must be approved in advance by the instructor teaching the course, the student’s adviser and the coordinator/chair/director of the program/department/division/school offering the course.

The approved application must be delivered to the Graduation Office, Administration 409, during the semester before that in which courses are to be taken.

Application for Graduation (Degree Check)

Once a minimum of 90 semester units is earned, students may apply for graduation. Application for graduation (degree check) is made on a form available at the Cal State L.A. Graduation Office Website, academic department/division/school, the college advisement centers and at Enrollment Services in Administration 409. These forms are available five days prior to the application filing period. Candidates take their completed application form for payment to the Cashiers Office. Once payment is made, candidates take their application to their department, division or school for approval and processing. Filing periods are published in the Graduation Information section of the Schedule of Classes.

Students arrange to meet with their faculty adviser who will complete the Bachelors Degree Worksheet and approve the candidate’s major program. The department, division or school will forward all documentation to the Graduation office for processing. The Graduation Office notifies students of the receipt of their graduation application and supporting documents.

Graduation check results are sent to the students in the mail prior to their final anticipated semester. Students who are enrolled in the  semester they expect to graduate but do not complete all degree requirements will have their graduation application “automatically” transferred to the following semester for processing. Students who do not complete all requirements for the degree within the anticipated graduation date or the additional grace semester following the requested graduation date must reapply for graduation. All questions regarding the graduation check or final results are to be directed to the student’s major department, division, or school.

Degrees dates are posted at the end of the quarter in which all requirements are met.

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement ceremonies are held for students who have applied to complete degree requirements. Information bulletins about commencement activities are mailed to the home address of those eligible to participate and are available on campus at college, department, division, and school offices and Administration 409.

During Commencement Exercises, degrees are ceremoniously conferred on the candidates by the President of the University. Although each candidate receives a diploma cover during the program, the actual diploma is sent several months later. Students should be aware that degrees are not officially awarded until they are posted on their permanent academic records, which usually occurs within one quarter after their anticipated graduation date.

Credit for Demonstrated Learning, Knowledge, or Skills Acquired Through Experience

Cal State L.A. grants up to 6 semester units of undergraduate nonresident academic credit for prior learning, knowledge, or skills-based experience that has been documented and evaluated according to campus policy. Students should be aware, however, that policies for earning credit for prior learning vary among CSU campuses.

Cooperative Education

Cal State L.A. offers a range of Cooperative Education courses carrying different unit values. The Cooperative Education program provides educational enhancement by integrating classroom studies with related on-the-job experiences. With department, division or school approval, students may earn a maximum of  9 semester units of elective credit toward an academic major or minor, including a maximum of 6 transferred semester units. A maximum of  12 semester units earned in cooperative education may apply toward a baccalaureate. With department, division or school approval, from 1 to  3 units of credit can be earned per semester, based upon a minimum 10 hours per week of approved work experience for each unit of credit. Cooperative education may be offered in any department, division or school. For details see the University -wide section of the Academic Departments    section.

Internship in Public Service

The Internship in Public Service program combines individual instruction with practical experience in government agencies and quasi-public enterprises. Although enrollment usually is restricted to Political Science majors, non-majors with appropriate background and preparation may apply. The program operates similarly to the Cooperative Education program, except that the maximum 4 semester units earned may apply only to upper division free elective credit rather than toward the major. A qualifying civil service examination is required for admission to some internship programs. Information about opportunities and qualifications may be obtained from the coordinator in the Political Science Department.

Freshman Requirements

In addition to your UC application, we take both your academic record and your personal experiences into consideration during the review process . At UCLA, we seek students who have excelled academically and gained valuable perspective from the personal experiences that have helped shape their lives.

Read on to find out more.

The Criteria We Consider

When reviewing an application, we implement a holistic review process, which includes looking at some of the following criteria:

• Achievement in high school or college coursework
• Personal qualities
• Likely contributions to the intellectual and cultural vitality of our campus
• Achievement in academic enrichment programs
• Other achievements in any field of intellectual or creative endeavor, including the performing arts, athletics, community service, etc.

Academic Preparation

You must complete 15 A-G courses with at least 11 courses finished prior to the beginning of your last year of high school. To be competitive in the UCLA admission process, applicants should present an academic profile much stronger than any minimum UC admission requirements.  See below for a listing of the A-G requirements:

• 2 years history/social science
• 4 years of college-preparatory English
• 3 years of mathematics (4 years recommended)
• 2 years of laboratory science (3 years recommended)
• 2 years of language other than English (3 years recommended)
• 1 year of visual and performing arts (if available)
• 1 year of college-preparatory elective

Keep in mind that there is no single academic path we expect all students to follow. However, competitive applicants earn high marks in the most rigorous curriculum available to them.   Each application for admission is reviewed within the context of courses available to that student. If a particular required subject is not available, we’ll consider your application without it.

Standardized Testing (SAT/ACT)

UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.

If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.

UCLA’s ACT number: 0448 UCLA’s College Board (SAT) number: 4837

Personal Insight Questions

These personal questions are just that — personal. This is your chance to augment the information elsewhere in your application and give us more insight into you during the review process.  Our hope is to hear your true, authentic voice in your responses.   As a freshman applicant, you may respond to four of eight questions. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. You should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because we receive more applicants than we have room to accept, admitted students usually have academic achievements far higher than the minimum requirements. So, to be “competitive” is to be among the strongest achieving students to apply.

We look for students who take advantage of the academic opportunities available to them. If you have advanced courses, we encourage you to take advantage of them. The University of California adds extra weight to grades received in UC-certified honors, AP, IB and transferable college courses.

We do not require or accept letters of recommendation in our process and we do not collect transcripts at the point of application . However, once admitted, students are required to submit official transcripts f rom any high school or college they have attended . Some professional schools may request a letter of recommendation as part of their supplemental application process.

We do not offer admission interviews. Applicants are considered for admission based upon the information they submit in the UC application . However, some majors in our  specialty schools require a supplemental application as part of their admission process. Supplemental applications may involve an audition, portfolio submission and/or letters of recommendation. Find out more from the supplemental applications page.

Supplemental Applications

Of course, a strong academic performance combined with sustained, meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities is the ideal. But if it comes down to a choice between excelling in your coursework or your extracurricular activities, choose your academics.

UCLA will honor full IGETC certification from a first-time freshman if the requirements were completed before entering UC. Partial IGETC, however, will not be accepted from entering freshmen at any UC campus and IGETC is not recommended for applicants to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

California State University, Los Angeles Admission Requirements 2022

California State University-Los Angeles, which is located in Los Angeles, CA is a public university. California State University-Los Angeles occupies a total area of about 175 acres. The foundation of California State University-Los Angeles was laid down in the year 1947. Keeping the pursuit of research, innovation, and excellence at the center, California State University-Los Angeles has been imparting quality education to its students. The motto of the varsity is Vox Veritas Vita (Latin) an

Acceptance Rate

California State University, Los Angeles Admissions

If 100 applicants wish to take admission to CSULA, about 48 are accepted every year. Moreover, the range of SAT scores of students getting admitted is 890-1080. The ACT scores of the admitted students lie in the range of 15-20, whereas, the average GPA scores hover around 3.20. The last day to apply to California State University-Los Angeles is November 30, 2019. California State University-Los Angeles follows a simple application and admission process that includes a total of 4 steps, which are as follows: Step 1 that a prospective candidate needs to complete: Submitting the application The first step which a candidate is required to make for admission at California State University-Los Angeles is applying to the university. Interested candidates can either apply online or by calling the university at (323) 343-3000. Alternatively, they can also directly visit the university's admissions office at 5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, California 90032-8506. They can contact the California State University-Los Angeles admissions office by phone as well. Step 2: Acceptance by CSULA It should be noted by the candidates that submitting ACT and SAT scores is recommended but not mandatory at California State University-Los Angeles. Further, after submitting the form and depositing the enrollment fee, to receive their admission decision, students are required to submit the following documents: Essay: Also known as the personal statement, the essay submitted by an applicant offers them a unique way to showcase their achievements and personality. It is advised that applicants include personal experiences and anecdotes as well. Transcripts: Submitting the necessary high-school and university transcripts is an important part of the evaluation process. An applicant can use Parchment (or similar platforms) to submit the same. Official Test Scores: As mentioned above, submitting SAT and ACT scores at CSULA is not mandatory and not all students submit them. Moreover, by submitting these official scores, a candidate can make a stronger claim for securing a seat at California State University-Los Angeles. The university may request additional documents or information from the applicants once the reviewing process is over. Step 3 involves confirmation of attendance The third step includes confirming their attendance to CSULA by the candidates. Additionally, they will be required to complete their Financial Check-In process and select their housing as well. These processes include reviewing and verifying the summary of Accounts and Financial Aid (scholarships, fees, and tuition costs), choosing a lodging option, selecting a payment plan, and making the first payment as well. Apart from that, candidates are also required to complete the Math and English assessments, before proceeding to register for classes. Step 4 includes registration for classes Registration for courses will be the next step once all the processes mentioned above are completed.

SAT Scores you need to get in

SAT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

Applicants Submitting SAT Percentage of Students submitting SAT Scores.

SAT Reading 25th

SAT Math 25th

SAT Composite 25th

SAT Reading 75th

SAT Math 75th

SAT Composite 75th

Average SAT Score

Notably, California State University-Los Angeles also considers the SAT scores of the applicants for their admission. The candidates must also understand that the SAT scores are mandatory for them to be considered for admission by the university. And, the average SAT score of students who get into the university is 985. However, in some cases, those who have obtained a SAT score of 890 or below could also get into the university. Around 96% of the applicants furnish their SAT scores in order to be considered for admission by the university.

ACT Scores you need to get in

ACT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

Applicants Submitting ACT Percentage of Students submitting ACT Scores.

ACT Math 25th

ACT English 25th

ACT Composite 25th

ACT Math 75th

ACT English 75th

ACT Composite 75th

Average ACT Score

Coming to the ACT scores that candidates need to get accepted to California State University-Los Angeles, the latest data suggests that one requires an average ACT score of 17. Moreover, most of the candidates accepted by California State University-Los Angeles have composite ACT scores in the range of 15-20. To be considered for admission by California State University-Los Angeles, one needs to have a minimum ACT composite score of 15. Also, for admission consideration by the university, students must submit their ACT scores. As many as 33% of the applicants submit their ACT scores for admission to the university, as per the latest information.

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Grade Points Average (GPA) The average high school GPA of the admitted students

Having a good GPA can improve a candidate's chances to secure admission into any college of their choice as well as help them stand out from the crowd. Notably, California State University-Los Angeles considers a high GPA as an important factor for admission. Coming to the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for admissions, California State University-Los Angeles needs the applicants to have very good academic/GPA scores, as admission to the university is quite competitive. The candidates must also have above-average high school grades with a GPA score of at least 2.50. Also, the average high school GPA of those who get accepted into CSULA stands at 3.20. Among other things, the applicants must also have a good idea of the requirements for admission, including the necessary documents and what information is considered for making admission decisions at California State University-Los Angeles. The students must also submit several important documents to the university such as the Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, and Admission test scores (SAT/ACT).

Admission Requirements

What Really Matters When Applying

High School GPA

High School Rank

Neither required nor recommended

High School Transcript

College Prep Courses

Recommendations

Admission Deadlines

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

Application Fee Application fees may vary by program and may be waived for certain students. Please check with the school.

Early Decision Deadline

Early Action Deadline

Offer Action Deadline

Offers Early Decision

Application Website

https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Accepts Common App

Accepts Coalition App

In addition to furnishing the required documents and information, the applicants also need to deposit an application fee of $70. The application deadline of the university depends on several factors. Fall applications, most popular among students, usually start from September and might go on till April. September deadline usually pertains to early decision, while the final deadline is in April. Notably, to be eligible for scholarships, students might have to apply before early deadline. This is why it is always recommended to apply early.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics

Admission statistics.

Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)

Credits Accepted

Dual Credit

Credit for Life Experiences

Many universities in the US incentivize students by helping them earn university credits by taking certain courses that are available for them in high school. Here are the names of some of such popular programs: AP Credit, CLEP (Credit for Life Experiences), and Dual Enrollment (also known as Dual Credit). As far as the policy of these credits is concerned, each university has a different one. The advantages of such programs include a shorter time to complete a degree, an increased chance of finishing a degree, and a higher GPA. Students who want to avail CLEP and AP credits can go to the website, collegeboard.org, and request to submit the scores to the university of their choice.

Other Colleges In California

Located in Burbank, CA, New York Film Academy is a private university. In 1992, New York Film Academy was founded. The motto of the New York Film Academy is The most hands-on intensive programs in the world and its official colors are black, white and red. In addition to over 1,312 undergraduate

Burbank, California 4 years Private For-Profit

San Diego, California 4 years Private For-Profit

Los Angeles, California 4 years Private Not-For-Profit

Other Colleges In Los Angeles

Occidental College, which is located in Los Angeles, CA is a private university. Occidental College occupies a total area of about 120 acres. Occidental College was founded in the year 1887. Occidental College believes in imparting education and contributing to society by focusing on innovation,

Located in Los Angeles, CA, Otis College of Art and Design is a private university. In 1918, Otis College of Art and Design was founded. In addition to over 1,062 undergraduate students, OCAD also boasts of over 53 students in its postgraduate courses, taking the total enrollment to over 1,115. T

There is a private university in Los Angeles, CA called Pacific States University. In 1928, Pacific States University was founded. The motto of the Pacific States University is Education is the Best Investment. The university believes in offering quality education to the students. In addition to

Other Public Colleges

Indiana, Pennsylvania 4 years Public

Kennesaw, Georgia 4 years Public

Beaumont, Texas 4 years Public

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Acceptance rate, acceptance rate breakdown, applicant breakdown, average net cost after aid.

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College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it’s OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock

CORRECTS DOLLAR AMOUNT FROM $90,000 TO $95,000 - FILE - A passer-by walks through a gate to the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. As more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs — in some cases, as much as $95,000. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

FILE - Students and passers-by walk past an entrance to Boston University College of Arts and Sciences, Nov. 29, 2018, in Boston. As more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs — in some cases, as much as $95,000. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

FILE - People pose for photos, March 12, 2019, in front of the iconic Tommy Trojan statue on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs — in some cases, as much as $95,000. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

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MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) — As more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs — in some cases, as much as $95,000.

A number of private colleges — some considered elite and others middle-of-the-pack — have exceeded the $90,000 threshold for the first time this year as they set their annual costs for tuition, board, meals and other expenses. That means a wealthy family with three children could expect to shell out more than $1 million by the time their youngest child completes a four-year degree.

But the sticker price tells only part of the story. Many colleges with large endowments have become more focused in recent years on making college affordable for students who aren’t wealthy. Lower-income families may be required to pay just 10% of the advertised rate and, for some, attending a selective private college can turn out to be cheaper than a state institution.

“Ninety thousand dollars clearly is a lot of money, and it catches people’s attention, for sure,” said Phillip Levine, a professor of economics at Wellesley College near Boston. “But for most people, that is not how much they’re going to pay. The existence of a very generous financial aid system lowers that cost substantially.”

Wellesley is among the colleges where the costs for wealthy students will exceed $90,000 for the first time this fall, with an estimated price tag of $92,000. But the institution points out that nearly 60% of its students will receive financial aid, and the average amount of that aid is more than $62,000, reducing their costs by two-thirds.

But many prospective students this year are facing significant delays and anxiety in finding out how much aid they will be offered by colleges due to major problems with the rollout of a new U.S. Department of Education online form that was supposed to make applying for federal aid easier. Many colleges rely on information from the form for determining their own aid offers to students.

“The rollout has been pure chaos and an absolute disaster,” said Mark Kantrowitz, a financial aid expert.

As well as repeated delays and glitches, he said, there have been other problems with the new system including more stringent requirements for proof of identity from parents, which is deterring thousands of eligible but undocumented parents from applying — even though their children are U.S. citizens and entitled to aid.

Kantrowitz said that if the significant drop in people applying for aid under the new system persists, it could result in lower enrollments and even force some institutions to close.

Levine said his research has shown that the amount lower-income students are paying at elite institutions has actually been declining over the past six years. But he worries that sticker shock will put off some students from even applying to institutions like Wellesley.

“People should be making educational decisions based on the actual cost they have to pay, not their perceived cost,” Levine said. “The problem is that the sticker price is the easiest number to know. It gets the most attention.”

Aside from Wellesley, some of the other colleges with sticker prices of more than $90,000 this year include the University of Southern California at $95,000, Harvey Mudd College in California at $93,000, the University of Pennsylvania at $92,000, Brown University in Rhode Island at $92,000, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire at $91,000, and Boston University at $90,000.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, puts its cost of attendance this fall at up to $91,000, but makes the point that the average parent contribution is just $13,000, and almost a quarter of families pay nothing at all. Harvard can afford a particularly generous student aid program because it has an endowment worth more than $50 billion, the largest of any university.

AP AUDIO: College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it’s OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock.

AP correspondent Julie Walker asks AP’s Nick Perry about his reporting on the cost of some colleges coming in at more than $90,000 this fall.

The sticker prices don’t always provide apples-to-apples comparisons because some colleges include costs like health insurance and travel expenses, while others don’t. And some colleges that last year had sticker prices of close to $90,000, including Columbia University in New York and the University of Chicago, have yet to reveal this year’s expected costs.

In its most recent analysis, the College Board estimated the average advertised costs for private nonprofit colleges last year were $60,000, compared to about $29,000 for students at public in-state institutions and $47,000 at public out-of-state institutions.

Kantrowitz said the average unmet need for students at four-year colleges is about $10,000 per year.

“So families are forced to borrow that money or come up with that money from some other source, and that’s on top of their share of college costs,” he said.

So is college a good investment?

Kantrowitz believes the answer is yes, so long as students borrow in moderation and complete their studies.

“If you graduate and you don’t take on a ridiculous amount of debt, you should be able to repay that debt in a reasonable amount of time,” Kantrowitz said. “But if you drop out, you have the debt, but not the degree that can help you repay the debt.”

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International Student: Admission Requirements

Most CSU campuses welcome the applications of international students. As an international student you may be interested in starting a bachelor's degree, a graduate degree or in some cases an ESL (English as a Second Language) program.

International students include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or other nonimmigrant classifications.

The application process for international students is different from U.S. resident students. Be sure to review all of the pages in this section to understand the basics of applying as an international student. Some campuses or majors may restrict enrollment of nonresident students due to heavy enrollment demands.​​

If English is not your native language or you have not had three years of your secondary education taught in English, you will be required to provide proof of your English proficiency. Since most classes are taught in English, you must demonstrate your ability to read, write, and speak English.

CSU campuses will use the TOEFL test to measure your English proficiency. The TOEFL test is given year-round at permanent testing centers around the world. There are three versions of the test – paper, internet (TOEFL iBT), and computer-based. Some campuses have higher score requirements, and some may require additional examinations.

At the baccalaureate level, a minimum score of 500 on the paper-based exam or a score of 61 on the internet (TOEFL iBT) version is required on most campuses.

At the graduate and postbaccalaureate level a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based exam or a score of 80 on the internet (TOEFL iBT) version is required on most campuses.

If you need to take the TOEFL, we recommend that you take the examination as soon as possible. There are registration deadlines for the TOEFL, and it does take approximately two - five weeks to obtain your results. Each campus will have its own minimum score on either the paper TOEFL or on the computer-based TOEFL. You should have Educational Testing Service (ETS) send your official scores directly to each campus where you are applying for admission. For information about TOEFL, go to www.toefl.org .

Campuses may accept the IELTS test to demonstrate English proficiency. Acceptance of IELTS and the minimum score required are determined by each campus. Check the campus website or contact the campus's international admissions office find out about their policy.​

In order to study in the United States as an international student, you must document that you have sufficient financial resources to complete your course of study. You must prove that you have enough funds to cover all the costs associated with your first year of full-time study. Each CSU campus determines the typical costs for international students. This budget includes registration fees, housing, books, other living expenses and miscellaneous costs.

As an international student you will need to have your financial institution provide a certification that you have at least the amount required available, or that funds are available from a reliable source. International students should not expect to work to cover the cost of their education in the United States.

Federal/state financial aid is not available for international students. Campus or private scholarships may be available for international students but are not sufficient to cover all expenses.

The CSU campus will evaluate your high school or secondary school work as part of their admission determination unless you have completed 60 semester units of transferable college work (generally, two years of study). You are required to provide all official academic records from any postsecondary institution you have attended and your secondary or high school records if required.

In the United States, the academic record is often called a "transcript." In other nations, these documents may be called by another name — such as a leaving certificate, maturity certificate, bachillerato or baccalauréat.

It is very important that your academic records and examination scores be sent as early as possible. The campus review of your application cannot begin until all of your academic records are received. Official academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least eight weeks before registration for the first term and, if not written in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations. Many campuses require official records sooner. Contact the campus international admission office to learn about deadlines.

CSU campuses will require you to complete a Health Evaluation Form. Check with the campus for their particular form. Included on most forms is an immunization history. Be sure your medical doctor or health care provider includes the day, month, and year of your immunizations. If this information is provided in a language other than English, then translation is needed.

Medical health insurance is required for international students. Students may be able and may be required to purchase campus health insurance. Insurance must be obtained before registering for classes. Check with the campus for more information.

There is a $70 (USD) application fee per campus for all students, including international students. This fee must be received when the application for admission is filed. Your application fee can be paid by international money order or personal check payable in U.S. funds.

If you are admitted, you will be required to obtain a student visa to enter the United States.

If the university accepts you, you will be sent an I-20 form . The I-20 verifies your eligibility for an F-1 student visa . To obtain your F-1 visa, you must take your campus-issued I-20 to an American Consulate or Embassy in your country to apply for the student visa. We strongly advise you to start your visa process as soon as you receive your I-20. All embassies and consulates require interview appointments to issue a student visa. Interviews for a visa may take a long time to schedule. Plan ahead. Bring all important documents with you to the interview. Check with the U.S. consulate for what is required for the interview.

You cannot make your travel arrangements until you have been issued your visa so the earlier you handle this task the better.

For students who are applying for a student visa for the first time or have been absent from the U.S. for more than five months, a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System ( SEVIS ) payment of $100 is required after you receive your I-20 form (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 form ( J-1 visa ) and before you schedule an interview at the U.S. Consulate for your visa. Check with the U.S. consulate in your home country for required documents and procedures for your interview.

When you travel to the U.S., you must have your passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, I-94 , confirmation of SEVIS payment, and letter of admission. All international visitors and students go through US-Visit Program where a scanned fingerprint and digital photo is required. You cannot enter until 30 days before the date on your I-20/DS-2019. You must register at the school that is listed on the I-20/DS-2019.

If you are transferring from another U.S. school, you need to request that the international student advisor at your current school release your SEVIS record to the campus where you have been admitted. Your new I-20, endorsed for pending transfer, is created as soon as the release date for your SEVIS record is reached. Your new I-20 will be mailed to the address on your application. Once your new campus has confirmed your registration, the transfer process is complete.