FRESHMAN REQUIREMENTS
You will qualify for regular admission as a first-time freshman if you
1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination; and
2. Have a qualifiable eligibility index (see Eligibility Index Table next page) and
3. Have completed with grades of C or better the required comprehensive pattern of college-preparatory subjects as follows:
English: 4 years
Math: 3 years including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II
U.S. History and Social Science: 2 years
Science: 2 years with laboratory (1 biological and 1 physical, both with labs)
Foreign Language: 2 years in the same language
Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year (art, dance, drama/theater or music)
Electives: 1 year
4. Subject matter requirements must be met with a “C” or better and may not be completed during the summer term immediately preceding fall admission.
ELIGIBILITY INDEX
The eligibility index is the combination of a high school grade point average and a test score on either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I). For admission beginning in fall 2004, we will compute a grade point average on the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory courses taken during the final three years of high school study. CSUF may offer you early, provisional admission based on work completed through the junior year of high school and planned for your senior year. You can calculate the index by multiplying a grade point average by 800 and adding a total score on the mathematics and critical reading scores of the SAT. Or, if you took the ACT, multiply the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the composite score from the ACT.
California high school graduates (or legal residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT I or 694 using the ACT; the table on the next page shows the combinations of test scores and averages required. For admission to terms during the 2009-2010 college year, the university has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of the admissions tests in the computation of the CSU Eligibility Index.
Persons who neither graduated from a California high school or are legal residents of California for tuition purposes need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT I) or 842 (ACT).
When the grade point average is above 3.0 (3.61 for nonresidents) applicants to non-impacted programs are exempt from the test requirement. However, students are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission.
You will qualify for regular admission to programs not “impacted.” At present, Cal State Fullerton is impacted on the first-time freshman level. Therefore, all first-time freshmen applicants must present the results of the SAT or the ACT. Students attending high schools within the local area must meet the eligibility index of 2900. Those inside California, but not in the local area, are required to meet a higher index. More current information regarding changes in impacted status will appear in CSU application booklet and on the university’s website www.fullerton.edu or www.calstate.edu.
The CSU Eligibility Index is subject to change on an annual basis. Admission as a first-time freshman may not be available for all semesters.
Eligibility Index Table for California High School Graduates or Residents of California
| ACT | SAT I | ACT | SAT I | ACT | SAT I | ACT | SAT I | ||||
| GPA | Score | Score | GPA | Score | Score | GPA | Score | Score | GPA | Score | Score |
| 3.00 and above qualifies with any score | |||||||||||
| 2.99 2.98 2.97 2.96 2.95 2.94 2.93 2.92 2.91 2.90 2.89 2.88 2.87 2.86 2.85 2.84 2.83 2.82 2.81 2.80 2.79 2.78 2.77 2.76 2.75 |
10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 |
510 520 530 540 540 550 560 570 580 580 590 600 610 620 620 630 640 650 660 660 670 680 690 700 700 |
2.74 2.73 2.72 2.71 2.70 2.69 2.68 2.67 2.66 2.65 2.64 2.63 2.62 2.61 2.60 2.59 2.58 2.57 2.56 2.55 2.54 2.53 2.52 2.51 2.50 |
15 15 15 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 |
710 720 730 740 740 750 760 770 780 780 790 800 810 820 820 830 840 850 860 860 870 880 890 900 900 |
2.49 2.48 2.47 2.46 2.45 2.44 2.43 2.42 2.41 2.40 2.39 2.38 2.37 2.36 2.35 2.34 2.33 2.32 2.31 2.30 2.29 2.28 2.27 2.26 2.25 |
20 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 24 25 25 |
910 920 930 940 940 950 960 970 980 980 990 1000 1010 1020 1020 1030 1040 1050 1060 1060 1070 1080 1090 1100 1100 |
2.24 2.23 2.22 2.21 2.20 2.19 2.18 2.17 2.16 2.15 2.14 2.13 2.12 2.11 2.10 2.09 2.08 2.07 2.06 2.05 2.04 2.03 2.02 2.01 2.00 |
25 25 25 26 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 29 30 30 |
1110 1120 1130 1140 1140 1150 1160 1170 1180 1180 1190 1200 1210 1220 1220 1230 1240 1250 1260 1260 1270 1280 1290 1300 1300 |
| Below 2.00 does not qualify for regular admission | |||||||||||
HIGH SCHOOL HONORS COURSES
Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the tenth grade, can be accepted. Each unit of A in an approved course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; C, 3 points.
TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS
Students who have completed 59 or fewer transferable semester college units (89 or fewer quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Students who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Students who complete college units during high school or through the summer between high school graduation and fall enrollment in the California State University are considered first-time freshmen and must meet those admission requirements. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by Cal State Fullerton.
You will qualify for admission as a transfer student in a non-impacted major if you have a grade point average of 2.5 or better in all transferable units attempted, (2.0 with the majority of units from an Orange County community college) are in good standing at the last college or university attended (eligible to re-enroll) and meet additional criteria below depending upon your status as a lower-division or upper-division transfer applicant.
Please note that former CSU students who are seeking readmission after academic disqualification must meet the GPA standards in place for their major at the time of reapplication.
Lower-Division Transfer Requirements
You may qualify for admission as a lower-division transfer student if you have a grade point average of 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, have completed at least General Education English composition and General Education mathematics courses with at least a grade of C, and meet any of the following standards:
You will meet the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term to which you are applying (See “Freshman Requirements” section); or
You were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for the subject requirements and have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and
have made up the missing subjects, or
have completed at least 30 semester units of college coursework with a grade of C or better in each course to be selected from courses in English, arts and humanities, social science, science and mathematics at a level at least equivalent to courses that meet general education requirements. The 30 units must include all the general education requirements in communication in the English language and critical thinking (at least nine semester units) and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually three semester units), OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
Making Up Missing College Preparatory Subject Requirements
Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways.
Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college semester course is equivalent to one year of high school study.
Earn acceptable scores on specific examinations.
Admission as a lower-division transfer may not be available for all semesters/terms.
Upper-Division Transfer Requirements
Generally, you will qualify for admission as an upper-division transfer student if:
You have earned 60 or more transferable semester (90 or more quarters) units; and
You have a grade point average of 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted; and
You are in good standing at the last college or university attended; and
As circumstances may warrant, minimum grade point average (GPA) and units of required general education are subject to change. Current information is available at www.csumentor.edu.
Beginning with fall 2006 admission, upper-division transfer applicants may choose to complete the Lower-Division Transfer Pattern by Major.
Based on Executive Order 918, a system-wide lower-division transfer pattern by major shall include at least 45 baccalaureate-level semester units but no more than 60 baccalaureate-level semester units.
HEALTH SCREENING
Measles and Rubella Immunizations
The campus shall notify certain students born after January 1, 1957, of the CSU requirement to present proof of measles and rubella immunizations by the beginning of the second term of enrollment. At the beginning of the next term of enrollment, those so notified who have not presented acceptable proof of the immunizations shall be notified further of the need to comply before receiving registration materials to enroll for the succeeding term. This is not an admission requirement.
Persons subject to these health screening provisions include:
New students enrolling fall 1986 and later;
Readmitted students reenrolling fall 1986 and later;
Students who reside in campus residence halls;
Students who obtained their primary and secondary schooling outside the United States;
Students enrolled in dietetics, medical technology, nursing, physical therapy; and any practicum, student teaching or field work involving preschool-age children, school-age children, or taking place in a hospital or health care setting.
The Student Health and Counseling Center shall provide immunizations without cost to those students unable to obtain acceptable proof of immunizations.
Hepatitis B
The CSU Chancellor’s Office requires that every student aged 18 and younger on September 18, 2000 be vaccinated against hepatitis B or provide documentation that proves immunity due to previous vaccination. Students will not be allowed to enroll in their second semester unless they have begun the immunizations during their first semester or provided the Student Health and Counseling Center with the documentation of previous immunization.
Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that can cause serious illness and even death. The vaccination is safe. You cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine. The immunization requires three shots; 1st shot, another one in 30 days (2nd shot), and another one in 6 months (3rd shot). You must complete all three shots for full immunization in order to register for your third semester.
Options for obtaining this series of vaccinations include: 1) a private physician, 2) the Public Health Department, 3) CSUF Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC), once you have enrolled and paid your fees. The SHCC shall provide immunizations without cost to students. You may bring your documentation of a previous vaccination to the Student Health and Counseling Center or fax it with your name, telephone number and student identification number and address (doctor’s records, school records, public health records or letter from your doctor). The SHCC fax number is 657-278-3069.
You may request a waiver based on religious or personal beliefs. You must fill out a form to request this waiver at the Student Health and Counseling Center and bring it to the director’s office. Waivers are accepted only during your first semester at CSUF.
If students fail to comply with the immunizations/documentation requirement, i.e., do not begin the series of vaccinations before the start of their second semester or provide documentation of full immunization, a hold will be placed against their records so that future registration will be prevented until the immunization/documentation requirement is met.
TEST SCORES
Freshmen and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit must submit scores from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. If you are applying to an impacted program on a campus and are required to submit test scores, you should take the test no later than October or early November. Test scores are also used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from high school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. Or, you may call or write to:
The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541
609-771-7588
www.collegeboard.orgAmerican College Testing Program
Registration Unit, P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-337-1270
www.act.org
TOEFL REQUIREMENT
All undergraduate applicants regardless of citizenship who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction must present a score of 500 or above on the paper-based version, or 173 or above on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL results submitted must not have been earned more than two years prior to the desired enrollment date. A minimum score of 500 or above on the paper-based version or 173 or above on the computer-based version of TOEFL is required. Individual campuses may require a higher score. Institutional TOEFL tests administered outside of CSUF are not acceptable. As circumstances warrant, minimum TOEFL scores may be changed. Current information is available at www.csumentor.edu.
English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)
The CSU Admission Advisory Council authorizes campuses to accept the results of the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in lieu of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for undergraduate admission purposes. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents of the U.S. Only undergraduate applicants may be considered eligible on the basis of ELPT. Since ELPT is not a placement test, it may not be used as an alternative for the English Placement Test (EPT).
Title 5, Sections 40752.1 and 40802.1 require a minimum score of 500 on TOEFL for any undergraduate who has not completed three years of full-time study in a high school, college or university where English is the language of instruction. This requirement may apply to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents who have not received three years of instruction in an English-speaking school or college.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY
All entering students are expected to be knowledgeable in the use of a personal computer (PC or Macintosh) prior to being admitted to the university. Entering students should have 1) the ability to use a PC to locate, create, move, copy, delete, name, rename, and save files and folders on hard drives and on secondary storage devices such as floppy disks; 2) the ability to use a word processing program that runs on a PC or Macintosh computer to create, edit, format, store, retrieve, and print documents; 3) the ability to use an electronic mail system to receive, create, edit, print, save, and send an e-mail message with and without an attached file; and 4) the ability to use an Internet browser to search the World Wide Web. Students who feel they do not meet the expected level of competency, should contact the Academic Advisement Center at 657-278-3606.
STATEWIDE PLACEMENT TEST REQUIREMENTS
The California State University requires each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, to take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. They are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring basic English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students must finish all remediation in their first year.
Students register for the EPT and/or ELM at their local CSU campus. Questions about test dates and registration materials may be referred to the Admission and Records Service Center 657-278-7601 or Testing Services at 657-278-3838.
English Placement Test (EPT)
The EPT is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses. The CSU EPT must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:
Placement in the “exempt” category on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College English taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in English Language Arts.
A score of 550 or above on the verbal section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test taken April 1995 or later.
A score of 24 or above on the enhanced ACT English Test taken October 1989 or later.
A score of 680 or above on the re-centered and adjusted College Board SAT II; Writing Test taken May 1998 or later.
A score of 660 on the writing portion of the SAT Reasoning test.
A score of 3, 4 or 5 on either the Language and Composition or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement program.
Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) written communication requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of C or better.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) has established the following policy regarding compliance with this regulation:
All new and continuing undergraduate students who have not taken the EPT and who are not otherwise exempt must take the test prior to registering for their first semester of enrollment at CSUF. Students can only take the EPT exam once.
Students who have taken the EPT exam but have not been placed in English 101 must remediate their English skills by taking Developmental Writing. Students must complete the remediation coursework during or prior to their first semester of enrollment. If they are not able to pass the remediation course, they must retake it during their second semester. Failure to complete remedial coursework within two terms will jeopardize a student’s continued enrollment in the university.
Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Test
The ELM examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering CSU students in the areas of mathematics typically covered in three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics courses in high school (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry). The CSU ELM must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:
Placement in the “exempt” category on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in High School Mathematics or Algebra II.
Placement in the “conditionally exempt” category on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics (EAP) taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in High School Mathematics PLUS successful completion of a CSU-approved math or math-related course or activity taken before enrollment in the CSU.
A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test or on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (Calculator), II, or IIC (Calculator).
A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing Mathematics Test.
A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Mathematics Examination (AB or BC).
A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination.
Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) quantitative reasoning requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of C or better.
The ELM test is offered only to all students not otherwise exempted, and has no effect on admission decisions. It must be taken before the student can register in any courses.
California State University, Fullerton established the following policy regarding compliance with this regulation:
Requirement To Take The ELM Test
Effective fall 1998, all new and continuing undergraduate students who have not taken the ELM test and who are not otherwise exempt must take the test prior to registering for their first semester of enrollment at CSUF. Students who fail to comply with this policy will not be permitted to register for classes. Students who do not pass the test must complete required remediation coursework during or prior to their first semester of enrollment. If they are not able to pass the remediation course, they must retake it during their second semester. Failure to complete remedial coursework within two terms will jeopardize a student’s continued enrollment in the university.
Students Who Have Taken But Not Passed The ELM Test
Students who have taken but failed to pass the ELM test must take a remedial math course(s). Intensive Learning Experience is responsible for monitoring compliance with this provision and for certifying the appropriateness of the course in which the student wishes to participate. Students who fail either of the placement tests should consult with Intensive Learning Experience Office (McCarthy Hall-026) concerning specific requirements and services.
Information bulletins and registration materials for the EPT and ELM will be mailed to all students subject to the requirements. The materials may also be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records or the campus testing office.
DETERMINATION OF RESIDENCE FOR NONRESIDENT TUITION PURPOSES
The campus admissions office determines the residence status of all new and returning students for nonresident tuition purposes. Responses to the Application for Admission and, if necessary, other evidence furnished by the student are used in making this determination. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish a right to classification as a California resident will be classified as a nonresident.
The following statement of the rules regarding residency determination for non-resident tuition purposes is not a complete discussion of the law, but a summary of the principal rules and their exceptions. The law governing residence determination for tuition purposes by The California State University is found in Education Code Sections 68000-68090, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5, and in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, Sections 41900-41912. This material can be viewed on the Internet by accessing the California State University’s website at http://www.calstate.edu/GC/resources.shtml. Legal residence may be established by an adult who is physically present in the state and who has the legal capacity and who, at the same time, intends to make California his or her permanent home. Physical presence in the state combined with steps to establish residency must be taken at least one year prior to the residence determination date to show an intent to make California the permanent home with concurrent relinquishment of the prior legal residence. The steps necessary to show California residency intent will vary from case to case. Included among the steps may be registering to vote and voting in elections in California; filing resident California state income tax forms on total income; maintaining California vehicle plates and operator’s license; ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy or renting of an apartment on a lease basis where one’s permanent belongings are kept; maintaining active resident memberships in California professional or social organizations; maintaining active savings and checking accounts in California banks; maintaining permanent military address and home of record in California if one is in the military service.
The student who is within the state for educational purposes only does not gain the status of resident regardless of the length of the student’s stay in California.
In general, an unmarried minor (a person under 18 years of age) derives legal residence from the parent with whom the minor maintains or last maintained his or her place of abode. The residence of a minor cannot be changed by the minor or the appointment of a guardian for the minor, so long as the minor’s parents are living.
A married person may establish his or her residence independent of his or her spouse. A non-citizen may establish his or her residence, unless precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States. An unmarried minor alien derives his or her residence from the parent with whom the minor maintains or last maintained his or her place of abode.
Nonresident students seeking reclassification are required by law to complete a supplemental questionnaire concerning their financial dependence status.
The general rule is that a student must have been a California resident for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date in order to qualify as a “resident student” for tuition purposes.
A residence determination date is set for each academic term. At the Fullerton campus, the residence determination date for the fall term is September 20 and for the spring term is January 25.
The residence determination dates for the fours stages of CalStateTEACH are as follows:
Stage 1 September 20
Stage 2 January 5
Stage 3 June 1
Stage 4 September 20
Questions regarding residence determination dates should be directed to the campus admissions office which can give you the residence determination date for the term for which you are registering.
There are exceptions from nonresident tuition, including:
Persons below the age of 19 whose parents were residents of California but who left the state while the student, who remained, was still a minor. When the minor reaches age 18, the exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Minors who have been present in California with the intent of acquiring residence for more than a year before the residence determination date, and entirely self-supporting for that period of time.
Persons below the age of 19 or adults, who have lived with and been under the continuous direct care and control of an adult, not a parent, for the two years immediately preceding the residence determination date. Such adults must have been a California resident for the most recent year. The exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Dependent children and spouses of persons in active military service stationed in California on the residence determination date. There is no time limitation on this exception unless the military person transfers out of California or retires from military service. If either of these events happens, the student’s eligibility for this exception continues until he or she resides in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Military personnel in active service stationed in California on the residence determination date for purposes other than education at state-supported institutions of higher education. This exception continues until the military personnel has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Military personnel in active service in California for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from the military. Eligibility for this exception runs from the date the student is discharged from the military until the student has resided in state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Dependent children of a parent who has been a California resident for the most recent year. This exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident, so long as continuous residence is maintained at an institution.
Graduates of any school located in California that is operated by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, including, but not limited to, the Sherman Indian High School. The exception continues so long as continuous attendance is maintained by the student at an institution.
Certain credentialed, full-time employees of California school districts.
Full-time CSU employees and their children and spouses; state employees assigned to work outside the state and their children and spouses. This exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a California resident.
Children of deceased public law enforcement or fire suppression employees, who were California residents, and who were killed in the course of law enforcement or fire suppression duties.
Certain amateur student athletes in training at the United States Olympic Training in Chula Vista, California. This exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
Federal civil service employees and their natural or adopted dependant children if the employee has moved to California as a result of a military mission realignment action that involves the relocation of at least 100 employees. This exception continues until the student has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
State government legislative or executive fellowship program enrollees. The student ceases to be eligible for this exception when he or she is no longer enrolled in the qualifying fellowship.
