Freshmen Admissions Requirements | Join the Pack

How to Become a CSUSB Coyote

Joining Cal State San Bernardino means finding your place in a supportive community, exploring your academic interests, and navigating the admissions process with confidence. We’re here to guide you through every step—from applying for admission and financial aid to connecting with the resources you need to succeed. As a university recognized for diversity, quality, and opportunity, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Pack.

First-Year Student Admission Deadlines

Spring 2026 Deadlines

Sept. 15: Application Deadline

CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications for non-impacted programs via Cal State Apply from transfer and first-year students Aug. 1 through Sept. 15.

All 23 CSU campuses use the Cal State Apply application. There is a $70 application fee per campus you choose to send your application to.

Sept. 30: Final Document Deadline

CSUSB requires that all admission requirements (Golden 4, units, GPA requirements, supplemental requirements) must be completed by the end of summer for spring admission.

All incoming students will be required to submit official final transcripts from every institution attended regardless of relevance the courses taken may have to the major you are applying to at CSUSB. This includes schools that you have current attendance.

Transcripts must reflect completed spring and/or summer course grades. Fall coursework will not be accepted to meet admission requirements.

Students should submit these as soon as they are available but no later than Sept. 30. Additional documents, such as test scores, may also be required.

For a personalized list of your required documents, CSUSB will create a To-Do list for each student. For more information, please visit our Submitting Documents webpage.

Nov. 15: Residency Document Deadline

Residency for tuition purposes affects whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition fees. It is strongly advised that residency supporting documents are submitted as soon as possible. See our Establishing Residency webpage for more details.

Nov. 30: Accept/Decline Deadline

Your admission decision is based on many factors and does not reflect your academic achievements.

After being offered admission, all students must formally accept their offer by Nov. 30 in order to secure their spot for spring enrollment. More information can be found on our Accept your Admission webpage.

Dec. 15: First-Year Orientation Deadline

Orientation is a mandatory program for all newly admitted students into CSUSB. It is designed to transition you to life in college and the CSUSB campus, as well as assist you in becoming familiar with the wide range of academic opportunities available at CSUSB. Orientation sessions are offered at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. You must register for an orientation session on or before Dec. 15. For more information, visit the Orientation and First Year Experience website.

Fall 2026 Deadlines

Application Deadlines

December 2: Nursing
January 31: Non-impacted majors
June 30: Recently released veteran and returning CSUSB students

CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications via Cal State Apply from first-year students Oct. 1 through Dec. 16 for both impacted majors and non-impacted majors.

All 23 California State University (CSU) campuses use the standard Cal State Apply application system. Each submitted application per CSU campus has a $70 fee.

Feb. 14: 7th Semester Transcript Due for EOP Applicants

First-year students will need to submit their 7th semester transcript to the Office of Admissions by Feb. 14.

Students should regularly check their To-Do list, located in their myCoyote account, for an individualized list of all documents needed, including due dates for each item.

Feb. 14: Residency Document Deadline

July 31: Accept/Decline Deadline Extended

After being offered admission, all students must formally accept their offer of admissions to secure a spot for the fall enrollment term. For assistance, view the Accept your Admission webpage.

June 15: First-Year Orientation Deadline

Orientation is a mandatory program for all newly admitted students into CSUSB. It is designed to transition you to life in college and the CSUSB campus, as well as assist you in becoming familiar with the wide range of academic opportunities available at CSUSB. Orientation sessions are offered at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. You must register for an orientation session on or before June 15. For more information, visit the Orientation and First Year Experience website.

July 15: Final Document/Transcript Deadline

All incoming students must submit their final official high school transcripts reflecting a graduation date and all course grades earned in ninth through 12th grade.

Students should submit these as soon as available but no later than July 15.

Additional documents, such as test scores, may also be required. For a personalized list of your required documents, CSUSB will create a To-Do list for each student in your myCoyote account with a personalized list of documents. For more information, please visit the Submitting Documents website.

Admission Requirements

At CSUSB, we want to make applying clear and straightforward—here’s what you’ll need to qualify as a first-year student.

A first-year applicant is a student applying to college for the first time — usually a current high school senior or recent graduate. If you’ve taken college courses while in high school, you’re still considered a first-year applicant as long as those courses end by the summer right after your high school graduation. If you take college classes beyond that, you’ll apply as a transfer student.

Not sure where you fit — early graduate, homeschooled, or another non-traditional path? We’re here to help, so reach out with any questions.

To be eligible for admission as a first-year student, you must:

Graduate High School: All applicants must be a high school graduate (or equivalent, such as having taken and passed the GED exam)

Meet GPA Requirements for the CSU “A-G” courses (see details below)

Complete the 15-unit “A-G” courses with a grade of C- or better in each course by the time you graduate

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements

To qualify for admission, your GPA in the required “A-G” courses must meet these minimums:

California residents: 2.50 or higher
Non-California residents: 3.00 or higher

If your GPA is a little below these minimums, you may still be considered for admission. CSUSB uses a process called the Multi-Factor Admission Score, which takes into account additional information—like special circumstances or achievements—to give your application another look. This process is available as space allows for:

California residents and graduates of California high schools with GPAs between 2.0–2.49
Non-California residents with GPAs between 2.5–2.99

Program-Level Impaction

Some majors at CSUSB receive more qualified applicants than we can accept each year. This is called program-level impaction.

Currently, the following programs are impacted:

Criminal Justice
Nursing
Psychology
Social Work
Kinesiology – Applied Health

Because of impaction, additional admission requirements apply for students graduating from California high schools outside CSUSB’s defined local area.

CSUSB information, including campus and program-level impaction can be found on our First-Year Impaction Criteria website.  

Additional information about CSU impaction, and how it can affect you can be found at the CSU Chancellor's Office website.

Multi-Factor Admission Score (MFAS)

At CSUSB, we look at more than just your GPA. Your Multi-Factor Admission Score (MFAS) combines your GPA in “A-G” courses with other factors that show your achievements and experiences. These can include things like:

Work experience
Participation in educational programs
Veteran or military status
Other personal or academic accomplishments

This combination helps us get a fuller picture of you as a student and determines your eligibility for admission to CSUSB and certain majors.

Please note: SAT and ACT scores are no longer required and are not used in the MFAS.

Because CSUSB is an impacted campus, the MFAS is applied to all first-year California residents (with a GPA of 2.5 or higher) and to non-California residents (with a GPA of 3.0 or higher). Applicants with GPAs slightly below these minimums may still be considered if supplemental factors apply.

Comprehensive A-G Course Pattern

To be admitted as a first-year student, the CSU requires you to complete a series of 15 yearlong high school courses in specific subject areas, known as the “A-G” course pattern. Each course must be completed with a grade of C- or better to count toward the requirement.

For more information on the A-G Pattern, visit the CSU Freshman: Admission Requirements website.

A-G College Preparatory
A-G Area	Subject	Total Years Required
A	History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science)	2 Years
B	English (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature)	4 years
C	Math (4 years recommended) of college preparatory math including or integrating topics covered in algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra.	3 Years
D	Laboratory Science (2 years of college preparatory science required with laboratory [1 biological and 1 physical].	2 Years
E	Language Other Than English (2 years or through the second level of high school instruction in the same language; American Sign Language and classical languages such as Latin and Greek are acceptable	2 Years
F	Visual and Performing Arts (1 year or 2-semester courses from the same discipline required including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, or interdisciplinary arts.)	1 Year
G	College Preparatory Elective (additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list)	1 year

Tips for First-Generation Students & Quick Apply Guide

At CSUSB, you’re not alone—78% of our students are the first in their families to attend college. We’re proud to support you every step of the way. Use these tips and our quick application guide to help you get started and feel right at home in the Coyote Pack.

Financial Aid for First-Year Students 

Once you’ve applied to CSUSB, don’t forget to apply for financial aid, too. This usually starts with completing the FAFSA form, exploring scholarships, and checking if there are any additional forms you need to submit.

The CSUSB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is here to support you. You can reach the team by email at financialaid@csusb.edu, by phone at (909) 537-5227, or in person at University Hall, room 150 (UH-150).

See All Financial Aid Resources

After You’re Admitted: New-Student Checklist

Congratulations—you’re officially on your way to joining the Coyote Pack! Starting college is exciting, and we’re here to make sure you feel prepared. Use this checklist to stay on track before classes begin, and be sure to sign up for Orientation, where you’ll get important resources, meet fellow students, and learn what it means to be part of the CSUSB community.

Next Steps for First-Year Students