Where can I find information about Admissions?
Please visit the Admissions website.
How do I check my Cal State LA email?
To access your Cal State LA campus email and GET via the myCalStateLA portal, please do the following:
- Activate your myCalStateLA ID so you can log in to your myCalStateLA portal. To activate, visit the myCalStateLA ID webpage.
- After activating your myCalStateLA ID, login to the myCalStateLA portal using your myCalStateLA ID username and password.
- Once logged into your myCalstateLA portal, follow the steps below to access your Cal State LA email and Golden Eagle Territory (GET).
- Please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 323-343-6170 or via email at [email protected] to have them check on your account for any issues. you should receive an email from the Admission office to inform you how to submit it.
I made my main email my preference, but I can’t seem to find a way to log into my Cal State LA email
To access your Cal State LA campus email and GET via the myCalStateLA portal, please do the following:
- Activate your myCalStateLA ID so you can log in to your myCalStateLA portal. To activate, visit the myCalStateLA ID webpage.
- After activating your myCalStateLA ID, login to the myCalStateLA portal using your myCalStateLA ID username and password.
- Once logged into your myCalstateLA portal, follow the steps below to access your Cal State LA email and Golden Eagle Territory (GET).
- Please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 323-343-6170 or via email at [email protected] to have them check on your account for any issues. you should receive an email from the Admission office to inform you how to submit it.
I am able to easily log into myCalStateLA portal and GET, is there a reason why the GET app on my phone does not work when I try to log in with the same ID and Password?
To access your Cal State LA campus email and GET via the myCalStateLA portal, please do the following:
- Activate your myCalStateLA ID so you can log in to your myCalStateLA portal. To activate, visit the myCalStateLA ID webpage.
- After activating your myCalStateLA ID, login to the myCalStateLA portal using your myCalStateLA ID username and password.
- Once logged into your myCalstateLA portal, follow the steps below to access your Cal State LA email and Golden Eagle Territory (GET).
- Please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 323-343-6170 or via email at [email protected] to have them check on your account for any issues. you should receive an email from the Admission office to inform you how to submit it.
How do we submit our official transcript to the school?
We are currently accepting documents via online submission
through our main webpage here or you can visit the submitting documents webpage.
Due to this pandemic, our college is offering to drop a single course. If I drop my math course will my offer to attend the school be revoked?
We understand that the COVID-19 situation is causing a disruption in traditional instruction for students so we encourage you to contact the Admissions Office at [email protected]. Yes, there is a link to a waiver request on the ECD page.
Can the ECD be waived if we don’t have the money on hand as of May 1st?
Yes, there is a link to a waiver request on the ECD page.
I have submitted a waiver, but it says responses will take up to 10 days. Will the May 1st deadline be adjusted?
Yes, there is a link to a waiver request on the ECD page.
If I'm taking summer courses, when should we submit those transcripts?
You can submit your summer coursework official transcript by July 15, 2020. We encourage you to ensure that you have submitted all official transcripts by the May 1, 2020 deadline (including any Spring 2020 coursework).
Where can I find my Cal State LA email?
Check out this link and click on "How to Access Cal State LA email"
I submitted my three transcripts. However, on my GET portal, it shows only two are statused as initiated. The third is not mentioned there. Does that mean only one has been received by the admissions department?
I encourage you to follow up with Admissions & Recruitment Office to confirm if we have received your documents [email protected].
I have turned in all the paperwork but I have not been notified about my financial award and I cannot see the award on GET. When will I see it?
Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for the financial aid office to process the paperwork.
In this COVID19 situation, how are you going to handle the International Students? Would you be deferring the admissions?
Please check with the admissions office for the latest information.
Where can I find information about Orientation?
Please visit the Orientation - New Student and Parent Programs Office website.
For the virtual orientation, how do we sign up? Is there a link to sign up for the orientation from our GET portals?
You will get an email from New Student and Parent Programs with more specific instructions on how to sign up. The invitation will go to students who commit to coming by paying the enrollment deposit. May 1st is the deadline for enrollment deposit. Afterward, invitations will be sent to students who make a decision to come to Cal State LA.
Is there something specific we need to complete before having access to the planner, enrolling in classes, etc. on GET?
Orientation is required for students to register for classes. You will receive advising support during Orientation to register.
I paid the ECD but have not received an orientation e-mail. I am also a transfer student. Is this only relevant for first-year students?
Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students and will be virtual (online). Orientation emails have not gone out yet (as of 4/14/20).
Is there a fee for the orientation?
Yes, there is a fee for orientation. We encourage you to visit this page or contact the New Student & Parent Programs Office at [email protected].
When is Freshman orientation?
Orientations begin in June and go on for a few weeks. Once a student has completed their ECD, they will get an invitation to orientation. I don’t think they’ve started sending them out yet - but just make sure your student checks both their personal email and their Cal State LA email. They can activate their Cal State LA email by following directions on the admission website at Next Steps.
I finished the online pre-orientation. But I did not get a date on when I should attend the main orientation program. Can anyone tell me when would that be?
The Orientation - New Student and Parent Programs Office will be sending notifications about the next steps so I want to encourage you to check your Cal State LA email regularly.
Where can I find more information about Financial Aid?
Please visit the Financial Aid website.
I submitted an appeal for financial aid - do I have to wait for a reply before accepting the offer to the school?
You can accept the offer, but you may not know your full financial aid award yet. It is always good to make an appointment with a Financial Aid advisor which can be found on the Financial Aid website.
For financial aid, just to clarify, the FAN and EST, and MIL are available where? Or will that come?
Students have received information about how to log in to the GET portal – that’s where their information can be found. also, check the Financial Aid website.
Where can the interest amount be seen for the unsubsidized loans?
Interest rates for direct student loans can found on the Financial Aid website.
Can the loans be accepted individually? If the unsubsidized loan is not initially accepted by the student, can that decision be altered or reverted later, say halfway through the semester?
Yes, you can accept loans halfway through the semester. Loans cannot be accepted after the semester is over.
My to-do list says I have to submit the Student Independent Verification Worksheet form and the IRS Tax Transcript Student/Spouse information by May 1. I do not work so I do not have IRS Tax Transcript information. What should I do?
If you are a dependent student and did not work in 2018, you are not required to submit a tax transcript.
If you are an independent student and did not work in 2018, you will need to submit a non-filing letter.
My WebGrant status says awaiting processing. Is there something I need to do?
Continue to monitor your WebGrants account for a status update. Cal Grants are awarded by the State of California for eligibility requirements, please visit the California Student Aid Commission
website.
I noticed in my financial aid portal it listed a grant "SUG UGRD Fl\Sp\Sm." Is this the same as a Cal Grant?
The State University Grant (SUG) is similar to Cal Grant, which can be used to cover the tuition portion of your fees.
If we don’t have a tax transcript what would we submit?
You can submit signed and dated 2018 federal tax forms in lieu of a tax transcript.
If our work-study isn't seen on our Financial aid award summary, how can we receive this?
Students wishing to be considered for work-study will need to submit a request to be considered for work-study. The form can be found here. Once the form is completed it can be submitted online here.
If I accept my financial aid, will that affect my awards for other schools, if I happen to go to another school?
No
Where can we apply for scholarships and when is the best time to apply for them?
General scholarship applications typically start in Feb and end in March. They are for students starting in their second year
Suppose a student only wants to take one class for their first semester, how would financial aid be affected?
Grants and Loans are based on enrollment, taking one class will affect the amount you receive.
Where can I find more information about Housing?
Please visit the Housing and Residence Life website.
If you do not choose to do housing at Cal State LA, are you still eligible for the meal plan?
Yes, you will sign up for a commuter meal plan, the company is developing those this summer. Students can also eat in the dining commons and purchase an individual meal swipe via eagle dollars, debit/credit payment at the door. You can also eat in the Food Court with debit or cash without a plan.
Are there ethernet ports?
Wi-Fi is available in housing.
Are we able to add nails or screws on walls for posters?
We do ask that students not use nails or screws on walls.
Does FAFSA cover housing?
It will be based on each student's financial aid package, but yes students are able to use any aid they have remaining after paying tuition and fees for housing.
Do I have to re-apply for dorming or is it okay if I already applied for housing when applying for FAFSA?
If you submitted an online application you do not need to reapply. If you submitted your FASFA without including your interest in housing it will be important to connect with the Student Financial Aid team have them update your budget to reflect your interest in campus housing so that may be considered in calculating your aid.
Due to COVID-19, I’m not sure if I will need to be housed for the fall semester. Should I apply for fall and Spring semester housing and fall ends up being online could I change my application for housing to only include spring semester housing?
Due to Covid-19, we are remaining extremely flexible. If a student chooses not to live on campus for the fall we are able to shift their application to Spring 2021.
If we don’t apply for housing is the cost of room and board automatically deducted from our cost of attendance?
The cost of attendance is based on whether you are in housing or at home with parents or living on your own
Does Cal State LA offer housing for families?
At this time we do not offer family housing. We do offer apartment listings within the community on our website for review.
Is school housing on campus or off?
There is on-campus housing (dorms). But the majority of students live with their families or on their own off-campus. We are opening a new dorm next Fall 2021.
Where do you students go for tutoring?
There is a tutoring center in the library that covers most freshman and sophomore classes
What date does the fall semester begin? Do you predict classes will begin on campus at that time or will they begin online?
The start date for classes is Aug 24. Like campuses nationwide, we are considering whether to start out online or in person; we will rely on the advice of city, county, and state health officials.
If the classes go online for fall 2020, how will the labs work for physics/chemistry?
We are working on that! There are some virtual labs that universities all across the nation are using - we may have started with some in chem and physics already this semester.
For this Fall session, will there be a face-to-face or a hybrid course?
We don’t know yet
Is there support for students with disabilities at Cal State LA?
Yes, please visit the Office for Students with Disabilities.
I am a transfer student, I got admitted as ME, I have done all the math, physics, chemistry, GE, and statics and dynamics. How realistic is it to graduate in two years?
It is realistic. You will want to hit the ground running and make a plan this summer during the orientation to help do that.
I received an invitation to the Honors College but just recently made the decision for this university. Can I still apply for honors college? Is this something you have to apply to every year?
Yes, he can still apply for Honors College. Once you’re in, you don’t have to re-apply (unless you don’t keep up your GPA or fulfill other requirements of Honors College).
Will students receive one on one assistance when registering for classes for the first time?
Yes, new freshmen actually get registered during their freshman orientation, working with our advisers.
Is the STEP applicable for international students?
STEP is free for all participants, and domestic and international are equally welcome for first-year students we register them during orientation.
Do we have to apply for STEP or are we just enrolled?
You’ll get an email invitation to join STEP - within a few weeks after you pay ECD and are enrolled
For STEP where would I be able to sign up? When does the program start? where can I apply?
Students who have completed ECD will get an invitation to STEP - probably within a week or two after May 1. The program will start sometime in early July. we will be sending out more information in the coming weeks.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, will STEP be canceled?
We are working on a virtual version.
Is there a fee for the summer program?
No fee
How do you join ECST programs?
Once you pay ECD, you’ll get an email inviting you to participate in STEP.
Will the FYrE program be online?
If we are online in Fall, then yes FYrE will be online.
Is there job placement for first-year freshman students or does the school have job assistance?
We have a career placement center that also handles Work-Study positions on campus.
Are there any ECST-related campus work-study positions?
Yes, we have many student assistants in ECST on work-study.
Who can students contact regarding job placement within the school?
Get to know T Fox - our Professional Placement coordinator. He works with our Career Center to help with placements for internships and jobs after graduation.
There’s only a handful of companies that do co-op?
We don’t have a formal co-op program during the academic year (only a few engineering schools in the country do these). Most of our industry partners hire for summer internships which sometimes turn into academic year part-time employment.
How often do the career fairs happen at CSULA?
The campus usually has one major career fair each Spring semester.
What are the jobs and internships related to ME does CSULA offers?
This is addressed in the Professional Preparation session of the webinar.
What about Aviation administration, does ECST have any activities to help us out?
Students are active in Golden Eagle Aviation and the American Association of Airport Executives. They've had workshops and attend professional conferences. Here is their website and Instagram page.
Are there any clubs involved in projects related to machine learning or artificial intelligence?
ACM student chapter is doing a variety of projects. I don't think they have done any ML/AI projects yet. ACM is open to conduct more projects.
In parallel, the organization has been hosting professional workshops for different topics including AI/ML
topics.
Also, the NASA DIRECT STEM program also has workshops/seminars that sometimes include Machine Learning
I am a member of SWE with the community college I am attending right now, would there be any fee waivers covered by Cal State for existing members?
SWE does cover fees like conference fees if you apply.
What are student experiences with Baja and Formula? For instance what you had the opportunity to work on as an EE major?
In Baja, an EE student helped build a temperature sensor that would check the heat dissipation in the rotors so that the ME students can build better rotors.
How would I be able to sign up for the rocketry club?
Visit their website.
Do all Engineering clubs have their own labs?
Many clubs have "signature" projects that students work on in labs. We don't have a designated lab for each club, but students can access various labs with the guidance of their faculty adviser. Some clubs share lab space to work on projects.
Is there an organization related to Fire Protection and Administration major?
Yes, We have Phi Phi Alpha.
How often do most of these clubs meet?
It depends on the club. Look for the club website and that should say their meeting time.
Are there any activities that get involved with our community's transportation and public/private infrastructure work? I ask this because I want to become a mechanical engineer to work in the US transportation sector, so I am curious about what is offered.
We would recommend ASCE, SWE, NSBE, and SHPE because both have opportunities, and students who have participated in these opportunities
What type of sports clubs are available? And “fun” activities...Golf, baseball/softball, ping pong, dodgeball, billiards?
There are sports clubs, and intramurals, and informal leagues, organized through Student Life. Sometimes ECST clubs have informal competitions such as SWE Basketball, Baja/Formula Baseball, and there’s an Ultimate Frisbee group.
Do you have to pay for joining a club?
Most clubs have a small membership fee every year/semester.
Is there any type of online resource that can help me further my interest/practice with programming/coding, or AutoCAD/fusion outside of classes?
Yes. Makerspace is creating short videos and tutorials to help students beyond the classroom.
If there is an organization that we are a part of at CC, and Cal State LA does not have it, is there a way to start a chapter on Campus?
Yes. You can do the paperwork to start a new club with the CSI office. Search CSI on the Cal State LA website.
How many years do they expect to get their degrees?
The average time to degree for ECST is about 5 years. This is the national average for engineering too. Smart move it to attend STEP this summer to get ahead in math, as math is the key.