First-Year Students

First-year students are, or soon will be, high school graduates who have never attended a college or university. Opportunities are available for students who wish to study Criminal Justice, Liberal Studies (Education), Nursing, Psychology, Mathematics, and Public Health-Emphasis in Environmental Sciences. Students may also enter with an undeclared major and be given the opportunity to explore different fields of study.

Admissions Criteria

To be eligible for admission as a first-year student, you must:

  • Complete, with a grade of C or higher, the pattern of college preparatory curriculum (A-G courses) by the end of spring of your senior year of high school.
  • If from San Diego or Imperial County, have a minimum GPA of 2.5. This GPA is calculated based on grades earned on 10-12 grade A-G pattern courses only.
  • Nursing
    • IMPORTANT!  Students admitted to SDSU as undeclared, or as a major other than Nursing, will not be able to change their major to Nursing during their tenure at SDSU.
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in A – G coursework
    • Minimum grade of B in Intermediate Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry with lab courses. If AP or IB level courses were taken in these areas, applicants must have earned a minimum grade of B.
    • Preference is given to Imperial County applicants who have taken and earned strong grades in science and mathematics courses.
A‑G Subject Years Specifications
A History/Social Science 2 years required
  • 1 year of U.S. History or a combination of Civics or American Government
  • 1 year of Social Science or History
B English 4 years required
  • 4 years college preparatory English composition and literature
C Mathematics 3 years required;
4 recommended
  • 3 years of courses in algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra or algebra II or a 3-year-long sequence such as integrated math 1,2,3
D Laboratory Science 2 years required;
3 recommended
  • 1 year biological science
  • 1 year physical science
E Foreign Language 2 years required
  • 2 years in the same language
F Visual and Performing Arts 1 year required
  • 1 year in the same discipline: arts, dance, theater/drama, or music
G College Prep Electives 1 year required
  • 1 year to be selected from the above A-F areas and other approved electives

Apply Online

  1. Use the CSU common admission application, calstate.edu/apply, to apply.
    • Apply to "San Diego State University" and then choose a major designated at SDSU Imperial Valley.
  2. A nonrefundable filing fee of $70 must accompany your application. Fee waivers are available to those who are qualified.
  3. Open October 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024

Important Dates

 
Submit Cal State Apply for Fall 2025 Admission
October 1 - November 20, 2024
Apply for financial aid with Federal Student Aid; Add SDSU's federal school code: 001151
October 1 - March 1
Admission decisions sent
March
Deadline to submit Intent to Enroll
May 1
Deadline to submit final official transcripts with Spring grades
July 15

Contact Us

Have questions please contact us via email.

Outreach Coordinator

Francisco J. Peraza
[email protected]

Outreach Specialist

Maribel Zepeda
[email protected]