Applying to Cal State LA

Students walking down the walkway on campus.

Fall 2026 Admissions

Fall 2026 admissions for domestic and international students open on October 1, 2025. International applicants who will need an ‘F’ student visa to study in the United States, please see the International Freshman webpage. 

Note: Cal State LA does not accept first-time freshman applicants for Spring admission.

Requirements

In addition to earning a high school diploma or GED, you must meet the following requirements by the end of your senior year of high school.

For Fall 2026 admission to Cal State LA: Admission requirements must be completed by the end of Spring 2026.


Complete all 'A-G courses,' with a grade of 'C-' or better while in high school. 

Your GPA is calculated based on grades from A-G courses taken after the 9th grade:

Table: Minimum CSU Freshman GPA Requirements for CA Residents and Non-CA Residents
Resident StatusGPA
CA residents (or graduates of CA high schools)2.50+
Non-CA residents3.00+

Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may be considered for admission through the Multi-Factor Review Process (MFRP).

You must complete at least three years of high school where English is the only language of instruction. Otherwise, you need to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement by earning a qualifying score on an approved exam. 

Note: Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may be considered for admission through the Multi-Factor Review Process (MFRP).

Pre-Nursing and Music BM Requirements

Students interested in the Pre-Nursing or Music BM programs will need to meet additional requirements for admission. Visit the link below for more information on what you need to apply. 

Pre-Nursing Requirements

Music BM Requirements

How to Apply:

Admission decisions are based on the information you provide in your application, so make sure your coursework, grades, and test scores are accurate and complete.

Applying to Cal State LA

 

Apply to Cal State LA

  1. Before you apply, explore the majors offered at Cal State LA. You can also apply as undeclared if you’re unsure.
  2. Apply online. Apply to Cal State LA via Cal State Apply between October 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025.
  3. After applying, you’ll get an acknowledgement email from [email protected]. If you don’t receive it, follow up with us.

Ready to Apply? Start Your Application 

Submitting Transcripts and Documents

 

Transcripts & Documents

Please do not send your high school transcript before you graduate, unless we ask for it. Any documents sent early or without a request will not be reviewed.

Submitting Additional Documents

 

Additional Documents

In certain cases, we may require supplemental documents to complete your admission file:

  • California Residency for tuition purposes - This is requested if we need to confirm that you qualify for in-state tuition. Visit the Residency webpage for more info.  
  • Military Veterans - If you're a veteran, please send your discharge papers (Form DD 214) and military transcripts (like AARTS or SMART) for college credit.