International Freshman Admission

 U.S. High School Graduates

• Course Preparation: Complete each of the courses in the A–G subject requirements with a grade of C– or better before high school graduation.
• Minimum GPA:
  • California residents or graduates of CA high schools: 2.50 GPA
  • Non-CA residents: 3.00 GPA

• Multi-Factor Review Consideration: Students below the minimum GPA may still be considered if they meet all other requirements and have:

  • CA residents or graduates of CA high schools: 2.30 GPA
  • Non-CA residents: 2.77 GPA

  Learn more about our Multi-Factor Review Process.

• High School Completion: Must graduate (or earn a GED) by the end of the Spring term before Fall enrollment.
• English Language Proficiency: Required if you completed fewer than 3 years of high school in a school where English was the only language of instruction. See the English Proficiency page for accepted tests and scores.

 Foreign High School Graduates

• Course Preparation: Your secondary education must follow an academic track designed for college/university preparation and be equivalent in rigor to a U.S. college-prep curriculum.
• Minimum GPA: 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in academic coursework completed during the last 3 years of high school.
• High School Completion: Must complete secondary school by the end of the Spring term before Fall enrollment.
• English Language Proficiency: Required unless your high school instruction was entirely in English. See the English Proficiency page for accepted tests and minimum scores.

 Additional Admission Consideration Methods

Students in the UK Secondary System

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• 2 A-Levels (grade D or higher) + 3 O-Levels (grade C or higher), OR
• 4 AS-Levels (grade D or higher) + 3 O-Levels (grade C or higher)

Visit our Cambridge International profile for more info.

Students in the IB Diploma Programme

An IB Diploma is required, including:

• 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects
• If in progress, submit Predicted Exam Scores

We know there’s more to you than just your GPA - and our admission process reflects that.

At Cal State LA, we’re committed to reviewing applicants in a way that values academic achievement, personal growth, and diverse life experiences.

•  If you meet the CSU minimum requirements, you'll be admitted - with the exception of a few special programs (see below).
•  Pre-Nursing and Music BM are competitive programs and have additional admission requirements.
•  If you graduated from a U.S. high school and your GPA is below our standard threshold, you may still qualify through the Multi-Factor Review Process. 
  ➡️ Learn more about how MFRP works.

Want to apply to the Bachelor of Music (BM) program? You’ll need to complete an audition.

•   Your audition determines if you’re placed in the BM or BA Music program.
•   Fall 2026 applicants: Auditions must be completed by February 6, 2026.
•   You’ll get audition details by email in December 2025
•   Instructions come directly from the Cal State LA Music Department.

Pre-Nursing at Cal State LA is highly competitive and has additional admission requirements.

To be considered for Pre-Nursing, you must:

•   Meet the minimum CSU freshman admission requirements
•   Have a minimum 3.5 GPA in A-G coursework
•   Earn a grade of B- or better on your first attempt in these full-year courses:
  • Intermediate Algebra, Algebra II, or Integrated Math III
  • Biology with lab
  • Chemistry with lab

How Admission Works:

•   Applicants who meet Pre-Nursing requirements are ranked by GPA
•   Local preference may be given to students graduating from high schools in Cal State LA’s local admission area
•   Admitted students must follow a structured academic plan and meet GPA benchmarks to stay in Pre-Nursing

Important Note:

•   If you’re not admitted to Pre-Nursing, you may be admitted to:
  • Exploring Health Professions, or
  • Your alternate major (if selected in Cal State Apply)
•   Once admitted, you cannot switch into Pre-Nursing or apply to the Nursing major later.

Follow these steps to apply to Cal State LA as an international freshman:

 Step 1: Choose a Major

• You must declare a major when applying
• You’ll need to meet GPA and course requirements later to stay in your major
• Pre-Nursing applicants: Be sure to review the special requirements above

 Step 2: Apply Online

• Apply through Cal State Apply between October 1 – March 31, 2026.
• Need help? Visit our Application Tips page.
• You’ll receive a confirmation email after submitting your application.

 Important:

• Applicants attending U.S. high schools: Admission decisions may be based on self-reported coursework and grades. Be accurate—offers may be withdrawn if your final transcript doesn’t match your application.
• Applicants attending non-U.S. high schools: You’ll be required to submit official academic records (with your school’s grading scale). These must show coursework through the Fall 2025 term for Fall 2026 admission.

 Step 3: Submit Required Documents

• After your application is reviewed, we'll email you if official transcripts or other documents are needed. Submit materials by the deadline we provide.
• If you're studying outside the U.S., please send official transcripts within 2 weeks of applying or as soon as your Fall grades are available.
• If applicable, submit official English Language Proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DuoLingo). This is required if less than 3 years of high school were completed in English-only instruction.

For the most up-to-date information on document deadlines and program availability, visit the Admissions Deadlines page.

We’ll communicate with you throughout the admission process — mostly by email. Make sure your contact info is current and check your inbox regularly!

•  We use the email listed on your Cal State Apply application for official communication.
•  You can update your email through your GET Student Center.
•  Add @calstatela.edu to your safe senders list to avoid missed messages.

Important: The following email providers are known to block Cal State LA messages. We recommend using an alternate account (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, iCloud):

• qq.com
• 126.com
• 163.com
• yeah.net

Also check your GET To Do List for any required documents or additional steps.

 Admission Timeline

• Fall admission offers: Typically sent in March
• All offers are provisional until we receive and verify your final official transcripts and test scores
• Offers may be withdrawn if:
  • Your grades or test scores don’t match your application
  • You miss document submission deadlines

Admitted? Visit the New International Admits page for your next steps and important dates.

 How to Accept Your Admission Offer

If you’re admitted, you’ll need to confirm your spot by paying the non-refundable $100 (USD) Enrollment Confirmation Deposit (ECD).

• Deadline: May 1

This deposit goes toward your State University Fee (tuition).

 Didn’t Get In? You Still Have Options

If you weren’t admitted — don’t worry. You still have solid paths forward:

• 🎯 Want a guaranteed future spot at Cal State LA? Sign up for the Transfer Success Pathway (TSP) program early in your first term at a California Community College.
• 📚 Start at a California Community College and reapply as a transfer student. Many CCC students earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) and transfer to Cal State LA.

 Can I Appeal My Admission Decision?

Yes — if you believe you were denied in error, you may submit a written appeal:

• Submit within 15 days of your denial notice
• Include your reason and supporting academic documents
• You’ll receive a response via email within 4–6 weeks
• Only one appeal is allowed per term

➡️ Learn more about the admission appeal process