Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 Can I make an appointment to have my international
records evaluated?
We do not offer pre-admission advisement for students with international
records. To be considered for admission, you must apply to our university.
What do I need to do to be considered for admission
to CSULA?
- Submit an application and application
fee before the international applicant deadline for the term to which
you are applying.
- Take the TOEFL if required.
- Submit a copy of your record of grades and any degree or diploma received.
- Submit the CSULA Affidavit of Support along with an original, recently
dated bank verification.
- Check with your CSULA major department for any additional requirements.
When will I hear if I have been admitted?
First, you will receive an acknowledgement letter informing you that we
have received your application for admission. Included with this
letter will be a Financial Affidavit which must be completed and returned
before the processing of your application will continue. This letter will
also contain your Campus ID Number (CIN). You can expect this letter
within six to ten weeks after we receive your application. Next
you will receive a letter with your Personal ID Number (PIN), which
will allow you to check the progression of your application on our GET
website. Once we receive the completed Financial Affidavit,
copies of all international documents, and any official transcripts from
institutions attended in the U.S., your application will be reviewed by
an evaluator and you will be sent another written communication.
For faster processing of your application, we recommend that you apply
on-line at www.CSUMentor.edu.
What record of grades are required?
If you have attended institutions outside the U.S., you must submit copies
of original academic documents in English and the original language. Certified
English translations must be submitted in addition to the documents in
the original language. Translations must be literal word-for word translations
and should appear in a format similar to the original language document.
If you have attended any U.S. institution(s), you must make arrangements
to have official transcripts sent directly to CSULA.
A freshman applicant (never attended any academic institution after completion
of high school or upper secondary school) must submit copies of all secondary
coursework.
If you are a transferring undergraduate and have attended post-secondary
institutions, all post-secondary record of grades must be sent as well
as copies of your secondary coursework. Please send copies of any diplomas
received.
Graduate applicants must submit copies of post-secondary coursework completed
and copies of all diplomas or degree certificates awarded.
Copies of original international records submitted by an applicant are
not considered as official documents. These records may be used for evaluation
purposes but you also must request that official records by sent directly
from the institution(s) you attended to CSULA.
When should I send all my documents?
It is always best to send them as early as possible so that your evaluator
can notify you if anything more is required. Early submission of
your application and all documents required will ensure that you have
enough time to be evaluated, and if admitted, processed through immigration.
If you are an overseas student, please send all documents by the application
deadline for the term to which you are applying to ensure adequate time
for all processing.
What are the Major Codes to use on the CSULA International
Student Application?
We do not now use the numeric codes that represent the majors and programs
that we offer. It is okay to leave that space on the International Student
Admission Application empty. Please write in the name of the major or program
to which you wish to apply.
Can International Students use the On-Line Application?
CSULA encourages International Students to use the web based admissions
application at CSUMentor.
On-line applications are processed faster than paper applications.
After you have applied on-line, please send in the Supplemental
Information Form for international applicants.
Can students with three year undegraduate degrees
from India or Pakistan apply to a graduate program at CSULA?
As a general guideline, a three year degree from a recognized University
in India or Pakistan is not considered equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate.
Graduates from these institutions may be admitted in undergraduate standing
if coursework is determined to be acceptable and meets undergraduate admission
requirements. Completion of a three year degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma
from a recognized institution may possibly be considered for graduate
admission.
Who is required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
All applicants, irrespective of citizenship, whose preparatory education
was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence
in English by taking the TOEFL.
If you are a freshman or a transferring undergraduate, you will need
a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test, 173 on the computer-based
test or 61 on the interent-based test. However, if you have completed
at least three years of secondary level course work or higher, where English
is the principal language of instruction, you will not need to take the
TOEFL.
If you are a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a college or
university where the language of instruction is not English, you will
need a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the
computer-based test or 79 on the interent-based test. If you are pursuing
a Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(TESOL), a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on
the computer-based test or 100 on the interenet-based test is required.
Does CSULA require an Official TOEFL score from the Educational Testing Service
(ETS)?
Yes, we do require that we receive your Official TOEFL score to us directly
from ETS. A photocopy of your TOEFL score will be considered for admission.
If you are admitted, your official TOEFL score must be received no later
than your second quarter of attendance.
Does CSULA accept an Institutional TOEFL score?
No. Admission to CSULA requires that an offical score for the TOEFL be
sent directly to us from the Educational Testing Service.
Do I need to take the TOEFL if I have completed English
Composition at my college or university?
If you are a freshman or a transferring undergraduate, and you have not
completed at least three years of secondary level course work or higher
where English is the principal language of instruction, you must take
the TOEFL. Completion of English Composition does not exempt you from
needing to take the TOEFL.
If you are a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a college or
university where the language of instruction is not English, you must
take the TOEFL. Completion of English Composition does not exempt you from
needing to take the TOEFL. Three years of education in an English speaking
institution does not exempt you from taking the TOEFL.
What is the institution code used to have TOEFL scores
sent to Cal State L.A.?
The institution code for California State University, Los Angeles is
4399. We do not use the departmental sub-codes.
How do I register to take the TOEFL?
To obtain TOEFL registration materials, locations, and test dates, please
write to: Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6154, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151.
The web address to obtain TOEFL information is http://www.toefl.org. You
may also contact the U.S. Embassy in your country for TOEFL information.
Request that the TOEFL test results be sent directly to California State
University, Los Angeles (Institution code -4399).
|
