Submitting Documents

students in lecture
When to Submit Documents
  1. Apply to Cal State LA - Submit your Cal State Apply admission application.
  2. Check Your Email - After you apply, you will receive an email with details about your specific document deadlines.
  3. Submit Documents on Time - Make sure all requested documents are received by the stated deadline to keep your application on track.

Current or Former Cal State LA Students

  • You do not need to submit your Cal State LA transcript to the Admissions Office.

Official Academic Transcripts/Records

  • Transcripts must be current and include:
    • All courses taken
    • Grades received
    • Honors earned
    • Degrees conferred (if any)
  • An official transcript must be prepared and sent directly to Cal State LA by the issuing institution.

Paper/Hard Copy Transcripts

  • Must be printed on the institution’s official paper/letterhead.
  • Must be sealed in an envelope by the institution.

Electronic Transcripts

  • See the next section for detailed instructions.

Important Notes

  • All submitted documents become the property of Cal State LA and will not be returned.
  • A transcript will be considered unofficial if:
    • The sealed envelope is opened before the Admissions Office receives it.
    • It is emailed or uploaded by the applicant.
  • Do not fax documents. Faxed documents will be destroyed without review.

Cal State LA (CSU Los Angeles) directly accepts electronic transcripts from the following platforms:

If your school is using a different electronic transcript platform, please request that your transcript is sent to [email protected].

Original Academic Records

  • In some countries, students receive only one original record or degree certificate. If this applies to you, do not send your only original copy.
    • We will accept copies for the initial review.
    • If admitted, you must present the original documents in person before enrollment.
  • If your institution issues multiple copies of official records, you must submit an official, original copy to the University.
  • All submitted documents become the property of Cal State LA and will not be returned.

What Counts as Official

  • Original international academic records/transcripts that are opened and submitted by the applicant are considered unofficial.
  • For admission, you must request official transcripts (with the grading scale) to be sent directly from each school, college, or university attended to the Cal State LA Office of Admissions & Recruitment.
  • If records are not issued in English, you must provide certified English translations (word-for-word, not interpretations) along with the documents.
    • Certified translators can be found at www.atanet.org

International applicants (those requiring an F or J visa to study in the U.S.) who are applying to a graduate or post-baccalaureate program and have non-U.S. academic records must submit their documents for evaluation.

What to Submit

  • Official international academic records/transcripts (with the institution’s grading scale).
  • ATA-certified, word-for-word English translations of all records.
  • A Course-by-Course, Detailed Transcript Evaluation Report from an approved agency.

Approved Evaluation Agencies

Important Notes

  • After an evaluation agency receives the required documents, it will take about 4-6 weeks for them to complete the report.
  • Reports must be sent directly from the evaluation agency to the Cal State LA Admissions Office.
  • For step-by-step instructions, visit the Foreign Credential Evaluation Reports page

WARNING: Submitting the wrong report type may cause missed deadlines and the withdrawal of your admission application.

You must request for your official test scores to be sent directly to Cal State LA. You can order your scores online from the respective testing agencies at:

The College Board SAT

  • If you are only applying to Cal State LA, use the Cal State LA Code of 4399.
  • If you are also applying to other California State University (CSU) campuses, use the CSU Code of 3594 – this will allow any CSU campus to retrieve your score.

The College Board CLEP - from the school list, select "Manually enter institution" and then enter the following information:

     College/University Name: California State University - Los Angeles
     Street Address 1: 5151 State University Drive
     City: Los Angeles
     State: California
     Zip/Postal Code: 90032

ACT Records - use Cal State LA Code of 0320

Advanced Placement (AP) Scores - use Cal State LA Code of 4399

International Baccalaureate (IB) Results - send to California State University, Los Angeles

Submitting English Proficiency Exam Scores

  • Validity: Exam scores are valid for two years from the test date.
  • Official Reports: Scores must be sent directly to Cal State LA by the testing agency.

How to Send Your Scores

  • TOEFL – Request your score report using Institutional Code 4399.
  • IELTS – Request an electronic or paper report to be sent to California State University, Los Angeles.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Send report to California State University, Los Angeles.
  • DuoLingo English Test (DET) – Request an electronic report through your Duolingo Account to be sent to Cal State LA.

Electronically:

Cal State LA accepts documents sent directly from educational institutions and testing agencies.

By mail:

Cal State LA Admissions Office
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
United States of America

In-person:

Admissions and New Transfer Center (ANTC)
Student Services Building, 1st floor
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032

  • Regular business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
  • Short-term metered parking is available near the Student Services/Administration Buildings. For more parking info, visit the Visitor Parking webpage.

How Not to Submit Official Documents

  • Cal State LA does not accept official documents via fax or email from applicants.
  • Documents received by fax or email may be destroyed without review.

If you are offered admission and asked to present your original academic records:

  • Schedule a VO appointment with the Admissions Office.
  • The in-person appointment will take about 30 minutes.
  • You will receive a confirmation email with preparation details once your appointment is booked.

Ownership of Academic Records
All academic records submitted to Cal State LA become the property of the University. They will not be returned, released, or copied, except in cases where Cal State LA redirects an application to another CSU campus due to non-accommodation.