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. New majors coming Fall 2026 are Chemistry Major and Electrical Engineering. Also, opening Fall 2026 is SDSU Imperial Valley’s first-ever On-Campus Housing Community. 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

Freshman Application Guide 2026-2027

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 - December 15

Important Dates

 
Submit Cal State Apply for Fall 2026 Admission
October 1 - December 15
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.

[email protected]