Freshman Admission Requirements

For admission to California State University, East Bay as a first-time freshman, you are required to meet the following conditions:

• Be a high school graduate or have a GED
• Have completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum 15 unit pattern of college preparatory courses. (Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area.) A grade of C or higher is required for each course.
  • 4 years - English
  • 3 years - Mathematics: algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra
  • 2 years - History /Social Science
    
  • 2 years - Laboratory Science
    
  • 2 years - Language other than English: the same language (possible waiver)
  • 1 year - Visual / Performing Arts: art, dance, drama/theater, or music
  • 1 year - Elective Courses: additional classes selected from the above subjects
• Note: If you are missing a course, or would like to review the requirements for obtaining a waiver for the "Language Other than English" requirement, visit CSUMentor.
• Have a qualifiable eligibility index. The Eligibility Index Tables show the combination of test scores and grade point averages required to meet minimum eligibility requirements. An eligibility index is the combination of your high school grade point average (10th, 11th, and 12th grades for all college preparatory courses) and your test score on either the SAT or ACT. (If you apply for admission before you graduate from high school, compute your GPA using grades earned in courses completed after the 9th grade. Do not include grades you expect to earn in courses during the remainder of the 12th grade.) For assistance calculating your own eligibility index, visit CSUMentor.

California Resident Eligibility Index

Non-California Resident Eligibility Index

Freshmen Application Instructions

To apply for admission as a freshman, complete the following items. Please submit your application and supporting documents by the deadlines for the quarter to which you are applying.

• Submit an application for admission online at CSU Mentor and pay the $55 nonrefundable application fee. Be sure to print the application submission confirmation page for your records. Paper applications are also accepted and may be downloaded from CSU Mentor.
• Request official transcripts from all high schools attended to be sent to Cal State East Bay. Official transcripts must be received by the document deadline. Transcripts will be accepted if mailed directly by the school, or if hand-carried in their original sealed envelope to Cal State East Bay's Enrollment Information Center located on the first floor of the Student Services and Administration (SA) Building on the Hayward Campus, or to the Academic Services Center on the Concord Campus.
• Request official SAT or ACT test scores to be sent directly from the testing agency or high school to Cal State East Bay.

Your entire application including transcripts and test scores will be reviewed by an admission evaluator. The evaluator will evaluate if you are admissible to the University. You will be notified by mail upon receipt of your application.  

Transferring Credits

Students who have only completed transferable college-level units before graduating from high school or during the summer between high school and Cal State East Bay enrollment, are still considered to be a first-time freshman and must meet the freshman admissions requirements.

Official transcripts from the college or university attended should be sent to Cal State East Bay by the published document deadlines.

After enrollment, students will have transferrable credits outlined in a CSU Academic Advisement Report or CAAR (formerly called Degree Progress Report - DPR) provided by the Office of Admission. Due to the large number of new students enrolling at Cal State East Bay, it typically takes a minimum of two quarters of enrollment before your CSU Academic Advisement Report (CAAR) is completed. 

Advanced Placement

Cal State East Bay grants credit for successful completion of Advanced Placement examinations offered by the College Board. Scores of 3 or higher will be accepted. Students who present scores of 3 or better will be granted 4 to 12 quarter units of transfer college credit depending on the subject area. Visit the University Catalog for more information.

Document Submission

Please submit all required items by the document deadline specified. Official documents, including test scores and transcripts in their original sealed envelope, may be hand-carried to Cal State East Bay's Enrollment Information Center, located on the first floor of the Student Services and Administration (SA) Building on the Hayward Campus, or the Academic Services Center on the Concord Campus. Or they may be mailed to:

Office of Admission
Cal State East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94542

Quarter Start Dates

Cal State East Bay accepts applications during all four quarters, however freshman applications are accepted only for entry into the Fall Quarter. You will need to indicate a quarter to begin enrollment on your application for admission. The approximate start dates are listed below:

• Fall Quarter: classes begin in mid-September
• Winter Quarter: classes begin in early January
• Spring Quarter: classes begin in late March or early April
• Summer Quarter: classes begin in mid-June

Application Term of Entry Updates

Cal State East Bay's application for admission applies only to the term of entry indicated on the application form at the time of submission. If you would like to update the term of entry on your application, simply log back into your saved application stored in CSU Mentor, update your desired term of entry, confirm that your address and previously attended institutions are still current, and submit your new application for admission with your application fee. Cal State East Bay will then notify you upon receipt of your updated application with a letter by postal mail.

Admission Appeals Procedures

If you were denied admission, you may appeal the decision; learn more about Admission Appeals Procedures.

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Admission

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) offers a variety of support services designed to ensure student success at Cal State East Bay. EOP is designed for students with economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to be able to access and continue in college.

The program serves California residents who are regularly admissible, as well as those who may need special admission. EOP participants must have a history of low income, need academic support services, and demonstrate the motivation and potential to succeed at California State University, East Bay.

To apply for the program, prospective students must complete the CSU Mentor EOP Application by the EOP deadline. Visit the EOP web site for more information and specific program requirements.