Admissions (Undergraduate)

Admissions Page Navigation

• Admission Procedures and Policies
• Residency Determination
• Undergraduate Admission Requirements
• Other Applicants
• Applying to the University
• Steps in the Application Process
• After Admission
• Access and Academic Development Programs
• College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management-Academic Programs
• Programs for Students Age 60 &Older

Requesting Information and Application for Admission

Before you decide to apply for admission to Chico, we invite you to visit our campus. The Office of Admissions staff is ready to make your visit informative and provide pre-admission advising, help with application procedures, and other specialized services. The following information may help you plan your visit to campus.

Current admission information and the complete CSU admissions application and instructions are available on the webpage Apply to CSU.

An electronic application is strongly encouraged. However, access to a paper application is also available via the Apply to CSU webpage.

Campus Tours

Guided campus tours are given Monday through Saturday and depart from the Office of Admissions located in the Student Services Center, room 130. Tour times, availability, and reservations can be found on our website at http://www.csuchico.edu/admissions by clicking on the Campus Tours link. Please make a reservation at least one week in advance. Large groups over 9 require reservations in advance through our Special Tours office. They can be reached at specialtours@csuchico.edu.

Self-guided tour materials are available at the Office of Admissions during regular business hours and on our Web site by clicking on the schedule a tour link and then Self-Guided tour.

Library tours are provided during the week prior to the first week of classes and the first two weeks of each semester.

Visitor Parking permits are available to purchase at the parking structure located on the corner of West Second and Cherry Streets. Further parking information can be found at http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/.

Pre-Admission Services

The Office of Admissions provides information about higher education to prospective students, parents, guidance counselors and others. The staff assists students in the admission process and informs other educational institutions and agencies about the CSU and CSU, Chico programs, policies, and procedures. Other services include coordination of visits by admissions personnel to high schools, community colleges, community agencies, and responding to inquiries on University enrollment. You may access additional information regarding CSU, Chico at http://www.csuchico.edu or call 530-898-4428.

Admission Procedures and Policies

Requirements for admission to CSU, Chico are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. Complete information is available at www.csumentor.edu/planning/.

Electronic versions of the CSU  accessible on Apply to CSU.

Applying online via the Apply to CSU webpage is expected unless electronic submission is impossible. An acknowledgment will be sent when an online applications has been submitted. Application in “hard copy” form may be obtained online via CSUAPP">Link Reference: CSUAPP as a portable data format (PDF). Application forms (in PDF) may also be downloaded from www.calstate.edu/sas/publications. Paper applications should be mailed to the campus admission office, CSU, Chico Office of Admissions; 400 West First Street; Chico, CA; 95927-0722.

Importance of filing Complete, Accurate, and Authentic Application Documents

CSU, Chico advises prospective students that they must supply complete and accurate information on the application for admission, residency questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Further, applicants must, when requested, submit authentic and official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of registration or academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301, Article 1.1, Title 5, California Code of Regulations).

Undergraduate Application Procedures

Prospective students applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study must submit a completed undergraduate application. The $55 nonrefundable application fee should be paid on-line at the time of application via credit card, e-check, or PayPal in the form of a check or money order payable to and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. An alternate major may be indicated on the application. The applications of persons denied admission to an impacted campus may be re-routed to another campus at no cost, but only if the applicant is CSU eligible.

Impacted Programs

The CSU designates programs as impacted when more applications from regularly eligible applicants are received in the initial filing period (October and November for fall terms, June for winter terms, August for spring terms, February for summer terms) than can be accommodated. Some programs are impacted at every campus that they are offered; others are impacted only at a few campuses. Candidates for admission must meet all of the campus’ specified supplementary admission criteria if applying to an impacted program or campus.

The CSU will announce during the fall filing period those campuses or programs that are impacted. Detailed information on campus and program impaction will be available at the following websites:

• Apply to CSU
• http://www.calstate.edu/sas/impaction-campus-info.shtml

Campuses will communicate supplementary admission criteria for all impacted programs to high schools and community colleges in their service area and will disseminate this information to the public through appropriate media. This information will also be published at the CSU campus individual website and made available online at www.calstate.edu.

Applicants must file applications for admission to an impacted program during the initial filing period. Applicants who wish to be considered in impacted programs at more than one campus should file an application at each campus for which they seek admission consideration.

Supplementary Admission Criteria

Each campus with impacted programs or admission categories uses supplementary admission criteria in screening applicants. Supplementary criteria may include rank–ordering of freshman applicants based on the CSU eligibility index or rank-ordering of transfer applicants based on verification of AA-T or AS-T degree, the overall transfer grade point average (GPA), completion of specified prerequisite courses, and a combination of campus-developed criteria. Applicants for freshman admission to impacted campuses or programs are required to submit scores on either the SAT or the ACT. For fall admission, applicants should take tests as early as possible, but no later than November or December of the preceding year.

The supplementary admission criteria used by the individual campuses to screen applicants are made available by the campuses to all applicants seeking admission to an impacted program. Details regarding the supplemental admission criteria are published at www.calstate.edu/sas/impactioninfo.shtml.

CSU, Chico is an impacted campus; therefore we will use supplemental admission criteria beyond the CSU minimum eligibility index for first-time freshmen. The academic characteristics of the applicant pool will determine an admission cut-off based on high school GPA, SAT-reasoning or ACT composite scores, and completion of required subject matter. All students must apply during the initial filing period for the appropriate semester (October 1-November 30 for the fall semester and August 1-31 for the spring semester). Nursing and Recording Arts at CSU, Chico are designated as impacted majors. Please visit the online or call for an updated list of impacted majors. Upper-division transfer students from outside of our local admission area may be held to a higher GPA requirement. This GPA will be decided based on the characteristics of the applicant pool.

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Application Procedures

SEE GRADUATE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PRODCURES.

Use of Social Security Number

Applicants are required to include their correct social security numbers in designated places on applications for admission pursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6109). The University uses the social security number to identify students and their records including identification for purposes of financial aid eligibility and disbursement and the repayment of financial aid and other debts payable to the institution. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires the University to file information returns that include the student’s social security number and other information such as the amount paid for qualified tuition, related expenses, and interest on educational loans. This information is used by the IRS to help determine whether a student, or a person claiming a student as a dependent, may take a credit or deduction to reduce federal income taxes.

NOTE: According to state law, the university will make separate provisions to the Social Security Number requirement for any student who meets the AB540 eligibility requirements. See below.

Residency Determination

Whether you are a resident of California or a non-resident determines the fees you pay and the admissions requirements which apply to you. Residence classifications are determined through a review of the information you provide in the residence portion of your admissions application. For a summary statement of the principal rules and exceptions regarding the residence determination, see "Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes" in the section of this catalog.

AB540 Eligibility Requirements

Under the provision of the California state Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), some California non-residents may pay in-state fees. Details regarding AB540 criteria can be found at http://www.csuchico.edu/fa/categories/ab540.shtml.

California Dream Act of 2011

The California Dream Act of 2011 is the result of two bills, Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) and Assembly Bill 131 (AB 131). Together, these bills allow undocumented and documented students who meet certain provisions of AB 540 law to apply for and receive private scholarships funneled through public universities (AB 130). Effective January 2013, students may be eligible for state-administered financial aid, university grants, and community college fee waivers (AB 131). For detailed information view http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements:

1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE);
2. Have completed with grades of C or better each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”).

Eligibility Index – The eligibility index is the combination of the high school grade point average and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements, and bonus points for approved 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 honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index (EI) can be calculated by multiplying a grade point average by 800 and adding your total score on the SAT exam (mathematics and critical reading on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the new SAT). For students who took the ACT, multiply the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. 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. Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirement for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 2950 using the SAT.

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT) or 842 (ACT). Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirements for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 3950 using SAT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

Provisional Admission

CSU, Chico may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the University any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Eligibility Index Table

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the University verifies that they have graduated and received a diploma from high school, have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory “a-g” subjects, and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria.

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score or the mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores on the new SAT in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses..

 The enables a specific number of campuses of the California State University (CSU) to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in 4-years. All campuses have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in 2-years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California.

Students who commit to enter either the 4-year or 2-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units of quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating campuses may stipulate other important requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU in the Fall 2017 term should contact the campus offices or visit www.calstate.edu/sas/california-promise.

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office Testing Office/Computer-Based Testing Center, Student Services Center 420, 530-898-6218. Or students may write to or call:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6200
(609) 771-7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-1270
www.act.org

English Language (TOEFL) Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and 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 [campus minimum score] or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a score higher than CSU, Chico minimum. Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score. A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Minimum Score for Undergraduate Applicants
• Internet-based test - 61
• Paper-based test - 500
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants
• Internet-based test - 80
• Paper-based test – 550
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Minimum Score for Undergraduate Applicants – 6
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants – 6.5
• Pearson Test of English Academic
• Minimum Score for Undergraduates – 47
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants – 59

Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school.

Social Science, 2 years

• (including one year of U.S. History or U.S. History and government)

English, 4 years

Mathematics, 3 years

• (algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra)

Laboratory Science, 2 years

• (one biological and one physical science, both with labs)

Foreign language, 2 years

• (same language, subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)

Visual or Performing Arts, 1 year

• (art, dance, drama/theatre, or music, one year-long course)

Electives, 1 year

• (selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts, or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU "a-g" list)

Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities

• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements. If you are judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of your verified disability, alternate college preparatory courses may possibly be substituted for specific subject requirements. Substitutions may possibly be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by your academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with a CSU Chico Admissions counselor. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions will still be held for 15 units of college preparatory study. You should be aware that course substitutions may limit your later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. For further information, please call the Office of Admissions at 530-898-6322. Chico State requires that course substitutions be approved before the substituted course has been taken. Subject requirement substitutions are granted on a case by case basis.

Transfer Policies of CSU campuses

Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer.

““Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at .

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses and any or all of the California Community Colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and California Community College articulations may be found on . Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution that does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the University from all sources.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or University offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.

1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (grade point average and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements” section); or
2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CSU, Chico is not accepting applications from lower-division transfer students. Please refer to the application filing status report to find out which CSU campuses are currently accepting applications.

Upper Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements:

1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted;
2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and
3. Completed at least sixty (60) transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade C or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses which meet CSU general education requirement, including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

Impaction Criteria: CSU, Chico is an impacted campus for upper-division transfer students. In addition to meeting the general CSU transfer admission requirements, students from outside of our local admission area may be held to a higher GPA requirement. This GPA will be decided based on the characteristics of the applicant pool.

CSU, Chico may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found not to be eligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the university any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T)

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide California Community College students a clear transfer preparation and admission pathway to those CSU degree majors deemed similar. Those students who complete these transfer degrees and who are admitted to a similar CSU major program or option for that discipline will be able to complete the Baccalaureate Degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units providing that all remaining required courses are completed successfully without a break in attendance and providing that no supplemental courses for minors or areas of emphasis are undertaken.

California Community College students who earn an associate degree for transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the California State University but not to any particular campus or program. Because several CSU campuses are receiving more transfer applications from eligible students than can be accommodated, these campuses have declared impaction resulting in higher admission criteria. See more on impaction at www.calstate.edu/SAS/impactioninfo.shtml. However, transfer students who earn the AA-T or AS-T degrees, are given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a non-impacted CSU campus or to a non-impacted program from a community college within the local admission area of the campus. These students are also given priority admission consideration when applying from a community college that is outside the local admission area of an impacted CSU campus or when applying to a similar program that is impacted at any CSU campus. A current list of CSU degree programs that have been deemed similar to the associate degrees for transfer can be found at www.calstate.edu/transfer/adt-search/

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission.

For more information contact your Community College Transfer Center or review these resources:

http://www.sb1440.org/

http://adegreewithaguarantee.com/

International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, “foreign students” include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students and exchange visitors.

The CSU uses separate admission requirements for international students. Each campus sets its own application filing periods for international students. At CSU, Chico the undergraduate application period for the fall semester is from October 1 to May 1. For the spring semester, the application period is from July 1 to September 30. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on the TOEFL requirement), proof of adequate financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be official, and cannot be sent as email attachments. If transcripts are not in English they must be accompanied by certified English translations. All supporting documents must be received by June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.

Academic requirements: Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries are required to have academic preparation and abilities sufficient to succeed in a demanding bachelor's degree program. A cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or the equivalent earned in secondary school is required. Students with college or university-level course work are required to have a B-/C+ average (2.40 on a 4.0 scale) on all postsecondary course work.

An international student may transfer to CSU, Chico from a college or university within the U.S. prior to completing 60 semester units, providing his/her cumulative grade point average is at least 2.4 and he/she has completed, with a grade of C or higher, the following general education requirements: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics. For more information regarding transfer requirements, please visit our website at http://www.csuchico.edu/international/apply/undergrad/transfer.shtml.

Campuses will communicate supplementary admission criteria for all impacted programs to high schools and community colleges in their service area and will disseminate this information to the public through appropriate media. This information will also be published at the CSU campus individual website and made available online at www.calstate.edu.

Applicants must file applications for admission to an impacted program during the initial filing period. Applicants who wish to be considered in impacted programs at more than one campus should file an application at each campus for which they seek admission consideration.

Supplementary Admission Criteria

Each campus with impacted programs or admission categories uses supplementary admission criteria in screening applicants. Supplementary criteria may include rank–ordering of freshman applicants based on the CSU eligibility index or rank-ordering of transfer applicants based on verification of AA-T or AS-T degree, the overall transfer grade point average (GPA), completion of specified prerequisite courses, and a combination of campus-developed criteria. Applicants for freshman admission to impacted campuses or programs are required to submit scores on either the SAT or the ACT. For fall admission, applicants should take tests as early as possible, but no later than November or December of the preceding year.

The supplementary admission criteria used by the individual campuses to screen applicants are made available by the campuses to all applicants seeking admission to an impacted program. Details regarding the supplemental admission criteria are published at www.calstate.edu/sas/impactioninfo.shtml.

CSU, Chico is an impacted campus; therefore we will use supplemental admission criteria beyond the CSU minimum eligibility index for first-time freshmen. The academic characteristics of the applicant pool will determine an admission cut-off based on high school GPA, SAT-reasoning or ACT composite scores, and completion of required subject matter. All students must apply during the initial filing period for the appropriate semester (October 1-November 30 for the fall semester and August 1-31 for the spring semester). Nursing and Recording Arts at CSU, Chico are designated as impacted majors. Please visit the online or call for an updated list of impacted majors. Upper-division transfer students from outside of our local admission area may be held to a higher GPA requirement. This GPA will be decided based on the characteristics of the applicant pool.

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Application Procedures

SEE GRADUATE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PRODCURES.

Use of Social Security Number

Applicants are required to include their correct social security numbers in designated places on applications for admission pursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6109). The University uses the social security number to identify students and their records including identification for purposes of financial aid eligibility and disbursement and the repayment of financial aid and other debts payable to the institution. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires the University to file information returns that include the student’s social security number and other information such as the amount paid for qualified tuition, related expenses, and interest on educational loans. This information is used by the IRS to help determine whether a student, or a person claiming a student as a dependent, may take a credit or deduction to reduce federal income taxes.

NOTE: According to state law, the university will make separate provisions to the Social Security Number requirement for any student who meets the AB540 eligibility requirements. See below.

Residency Determination

Whether you are a resident of California or a non-resident determines the fees you pay and the admissions requirements which apply to you. Residence classifications are determined through a review of the information you provide in the residence portion of your admissions application. For a summary statement of the principal rules and exceptions regarding the residence determination, see "Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes" in the section of this catalog.

AB540 Eligibility Requirements

Under the provision of the California state Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), some California non-residents may pay in-state fees. Details regarding AB540 criteria can be found at http://www.csuchico.edu/fa/categories/ab540.shtml.

California Dream Act of 2011

The California Dream Act of 2011 is the result of two bills, Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) and Assembly Bill 131 (AB 131). Together, these bills allow undocumented and documented students who meet certain provisions of AB 540 law to apply for and receive private scholarships funneled through public universities (AB 130). Effective January 2013, students may be eligible for state-administered financial aid, university grants, and community college fee waivers (AB 131). For detailed information view http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements:

1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE);
2. Have completed with grades of C or better each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”).

Eligibility Index – The eligibility index is the combination of the high school grade point average and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements, and bonus points for approved 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 honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index can be calculated by multiplying your grade point average by 800 and adding your total score on the mathematics and critical reading scores of the SAT. For students who took the ACT, multiply the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. 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 nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT) or 842 (ACT). Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

Provisional Admission

CSU, Chico may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the University any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Eligibility Index Table

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the University verifies that they have graduated and received a diploma from high school, have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory “a-g” subjects, and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria.

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score or the SAT mathematics and critical reading scores in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office Testing Office/Computer-Based Testing Center, Student Services Center 420, 530-898-6218. Or students may write to or call:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6200
(609) 771-7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-1270
www.act.org

English Language (TOEFL) Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and 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 [campus minimum score] or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a score higher than CSU, Chico minimum. Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score. A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Minimum Score for Undergraduate Applicants
• Internet-based test - 61
• Paper-based test - 500
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants
• Internet-based test - 80
• Paper-based test – 550
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Minimum Score for Undergraduate Applicants – 6
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants – 6.5
• Pearson Test of English Academic
• Minimum Score for Undergraduates – 47
• Minimum Score for Graduate Applicants – 59

Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school.

Social Science, 2 years

• (including one year of U.S. History or U.S. History and government)

English, 4 years

Mathematics, 3 years

• (algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra)

Laboratory Science, 2 years

• (one biological and one physical science, both with labs)

Foreign language, 2 years

• (same language, subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)

Visual or Performing Arts, 1 year

• (art, dance, drama/theatre, or music, one year-long course)

Electives, 1 year

• (selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts, or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU "a-g" list)

Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities

• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements. If you are judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of your verified disability, alternate college preparatory courses may possibly be substituted for specific subject requirements. Substitutions may possibly be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by your academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with a CSU Chico Admissions counselor. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions will still be held for 15 units of college preparatory study. You should be aware that course substitutions may limit your later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. For further information, please call the Office of Admissions at 530-898-6322. Chico State requires that course substitutions be approved before the substituted course has been taken. Subject requirement substitutions are granted on a case by case basis.

Transfer Policies of CSU campuses

Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer.

““Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at .

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses and any or all of the California Community Colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and California Community College articulations may be found on . Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution that does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the University from all sources.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or University offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.

1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (grade point average and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements” section); or
2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CSU, Chico is not accepting applications from lower-division transfer students. Please refer to the application filing status report to find out which CSU campuses are currently accepting applications.

Upper Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements:

1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted;
2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and
3. Completed at least sixty (60) transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade C or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses which meet CSU general education requirement, including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

Impaction Criteria: CSU, Chico is an impacted campus for upper-division transfer students. In addition to meeting the general CSU transfer admission requirements, students from outside of our local admission area may be held to a higher GPA requirement. This GPA will be decided based on the characteristics of the applicant pool.

CSU, Chico may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found not to be eligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the university any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T)

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide California Community College students a clear transfer preparation and admission pathway to those CSU degree majors deemed similar. Those students who complete these transfer degrees and who are admitted to a similar CSU major program or option for that discipline will be able to complete the Baccalaureate Degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units providing that all remaining required courses are completed successfully without a break in attendance and providing that no supplemental courses for minors or areas of emphasis are undertaken.

California Community College students who earn an associate degree for transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the California State University but not to any particular campus or program. Because several CSU campuses are receiving more transfer applications from eligible students than can be accommodated, these campuses have declared impaction resulting in higher admission criteria. See more on impaction at www.calstate.edu/SAS/impactioninfo.shtml. However, transfer students who earn the AA-T or AS-T degrees, are given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a non-impacted CSU campus or to a non-impacted program from a community college within the local admission area of the campus. These students are also given priority admission consideration when applying from a community college that is outside the local admission area of an impacted CSU campus or when applying to a similar program that is impacted at any CSU campus. A current list of CSU degree programs that have been deemed similar to the associate degrees for transfer can be found at www.calstate.edu/transfer/adt-search/

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission.

For more information contact your Community College Transfer Center or review these resources:

http://www.sb1440.org/

http://adegreewithaguarantee.com/

International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, “foreign students” include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students and exchange visitors.

The CSU uses separate admission requirements for international students. Each campus sets its own application filing periods for international students. At CSU, Chico the undergraduate application period for the fall semester is from October 1 to May 1. For the spring semester, the application period is from July 1 to September 30. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on the TOEFL requirement), proof of adequate financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be official, and cannot be sent as email attachments. If transcripts are not in English they must be accompanied by certified English translations. All supporting documents must be received by June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.

Academic requirements: Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries are required to have academic preparation and abilities sufficient to succeed in a demanding bachelor's degree program. A cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or the equivalent earned in secondary school is required. Students with college or university-level course work are required to have a B-/C+ average (2.40 on a 4.0 scale) on all post-secondary coursework. An international student may transfer to CSU, Chico from a college or university within the U.S. prior to completing 60 semester units, providing his/her cumulative grade point average is at least 2.4 and he/she has completed, with a grade of C or higher, the following general education requirements: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics. For more information regarding transfer requirements, please visit our website at http://www.csuchico.edu/international/apply/undergrad/transfer.shtml.