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 |
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A | History/Social Science | 2 years required |
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B | English | 4 years required |
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C | Mathematics | 3 years required; 4 recommended |
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D | Laboratory Science | 2 years required; 3 recommended |
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E | Foreign Language | 2 years required |
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F | Visual and Performing Arts | 1 year required |
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G | College Prep Electives | 1 year required |
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Apply Online
- 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.
- A nonrefundable filing fee of $70 must accompany your application. Fee waivers are available to those who are qualified.
- 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.