Summer Transition to ECST Program (STEP)

What are the goals of STEP?

HOW ARE STUDENTS PLACED INTO STEP?

When students are admitted to Cal State LA, the university looks at various measures to determine their Math and English placement category. CSU places students into one of four categories in Math and English. STEP is required for all eligible incoming freshmen majoring in Pre-Engineering, Pre-Computer Science, and Pre-Engineering Technology in the College of ECST who place in Math Category  II.

IMPORTANT: Students who place in Math Category III or IV will not participate in STEP. Instead, they will participate in Early Start/Summer Connections or Summer Bridge (if an EOP student).

Yes. STEP is required for all eligible pre-engineering, pre-computer science, and pre-engineering technology incoming freshmen in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology to start curriculum-ready.

STEP gives you the opportunity to start in Calculus I, which is the desired starting point for your major. Without STEP, you will not be able to start in Calculus I.  STEP provides you with the foundation to be successful in your major and start curriculum-ready. This supports a timely graduation.

July 1 – August 2, 2024, Monday through Friday.

Yes, STEP instruction is free for all students. However, students will need to provide their own meals, laptop, transportation, and/or parking.

Yes. An AP score of 4 or above in Calculus AB may exempt you from STEP (4-weeks program). Since AP scores are usually available until July, we urge you to still submit the STEP application by the deadline. When the AP scores become available, communicate with our office to verify that you are eligible to be excused from STEP.

If you earn a score of 4 or above in the AP Calculus AB exam, you will be invited to participate in one of the Calculus I Preparation Workshop Sessions (2-weeks program) to review key topics in this course before the start of Fall. You will also have the opportunity to meet other students in our college. These workshops will take place in-person.

Calculus I Preparation Workshops:
These workshops are for the following:

1) Students who place in Calculus I through the ALEKS assessment #I or #2.
2) Students who pass the AP Calculus AB Exam with a 3 or higher.

Yes. If you need to attend an appointment (e.g., a doctor appointment) or another activity (Golden Eagle Orientation), you will be excused from attending STEP on that day. Make sure to communicate with your instructor if you will be out of class.

Participation in STEP is by invitation only. Only eligible students based on their math category (Category II) are invited. Some students may be required to participate in a different program during the summer such as EOP Bridge or Early Start/Summer Connections. It is always best to contact our office first to verify eligibility to participate before submitting a STEP application.

If you are an EOP student, you may be required to attend EOP Summer Bridge, and you may not be able to participate in STEP. Make sure to check with the EOP office first before submitting a STEP application.

If you have received an email telling you that you are required to participate in Early Start/Summer Connections, you may not participate in STEP. Please make sure to attend Early Start/Summer Connections since it is a University requirement for some students.

Yes, if you do not have a laptop, you may be able to borrow one through the Dean of Students Office for the duration of the summer program. Our office will provide you with instructions via email on how to proceed to borrow a laptop for the duration of the program.