• Visit the CSU website.
• Explore the CSU Campuses: Choosing a CSU Campus.

If you're interested in entering California State University as a freshman, you will have to satisfy these requirements:

1. The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses ("a-g" courses) for admission as a first-time freshman. 
2. Grades in "a-g" coursework and test scores.  
3. Graduation from high school. 

** CSU Application Fee Waiver:  When you apply for admission to the CSU through Cal State Apply you are automatically considered for an application fee waiver based on the information requested in the application.  You must fully complete the application before the fee waiver eligibility is determined.  You will see a "Check My Fee Waiver Status" link on the Submit Application tab to determine whether you are eligible for an application fee waiver.  For more information visit CSU Application Fee Waiver.

 Subject Requirement (A-G Coursework)

The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman (A-G Requirements).  Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area.  A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.  

There are career and technical education (CTE) courses that can be used to meet any of the subject area requirements listed above as long as it is an approved a-g course. Please refer to the UC Certified Course List for the entire listing of approved courses.

If you didn't take all the required high school courses or earned D or F grades in some of them, you have several options to make up these courses and qualify for CSU admission.  D and F grades are not acceptable and must be cleared by repeating a class or other available options.  Check with your counselor regarding your options. 

You may also complete college courses with a grade of C or better in the missing subject areas. RHS offers concurrent enrollment with San Bernardino Valley College.  Check with your counselor regarding enrollment opportunities.  Finally, you can earn an acceptable score on examinations such as the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.

Waiver of "Language Other Than English requirement:  If you can demonstrate competency in a language other than English that is equivalent to or higher than that expected of students who have completed two years of language other than English study, you may be allowed a waiver for this language requirement. For further information, contact the CSU campuses to which you are applying.

Grades in A-G Coursework

The grades you earn in high school are the most important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.

Graduation from High School

For admission to the CSU, graduation from high school and receipt of a high school diploma are admission requirements.

If you cannot earn your diploma, consider the General Education Development program (GED), High School Equivalency (HiSET), or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exams. These are examinations that, upon successful completion, offer the equivalent of a high school diploma.

CSU Application Process: Apply as early as possible

The CEEB Rim of the World High School Code is 051340. You will need this code for your application.

Helpful Tools:  

• Freshmen Application Checklist
• CSU Admission Handbook

See "California State University Application Tutorial" video posted below for more help.  

• Obtain an unofficial copy of your high school transcript from your Aeries portal account or the Counseling Office to be used to self-report your classes and grades on your CSU application.
• Complete application and application fee online.
• Contact College Board (College Board/SAT) or ACT (ACT)to have your SAT and/or ACT test scores sent to all CSU campuses to which you have applied.
• Contact College Board/AP Central (College Board/AP)to have your AP scores sent to all CSU campuses to which you have applied.
• Take all required ELM (Entry Level Math) and EPT (English Placement Test) by the university posted deadline.  For more on please log on to CSU Math Success website or CSU English Success website
• Send official transcripts ONLY when you are directed to do so.  CSU will determine your grade point average based on the classes and grades you self report during the application process.  The CSU campus which you commit to attend will prompt you to send an official transcript upon graduation from high school.
• CSU does not require letters of recommendation or a college essay.

Link to Application

• CSU Online Application

The CSU Application Filing Period is October 1st through November 30th.

Impaction

An undergraduate major or campus is designated as impacted when the number of applications received from fully qualified applicants during the initial filing period exceeds the number of available spaces. Such majors or campuses are authorized to use supplementary admission criteria to screen applications.

• CSU Campus Impaction
• CSU Impacted Majors and Campuses

Financial Aid Information

• CSU Financial Aid
• Types of Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA here at  FAFSA.  File your FAFSA between October 1st and March 2.

Helpful Tool:  Financial Aid & Scholarship Checklist

After You Apply

After you have submitted your application to one or more CSU campus, the first thing you'll receive is an acknowledgment e-mail or letter from each campus.  In that acknowledgment, the campus will let you know how to set up your online student portal at that campus.  Once you've set up your unique student portal account, that's what the campus will use to communicate with you about everything to do with your application.

Through March—depending on how quick each campus is—you should receive your admission decision (meaning whether you've been admitted, denied admission, or waitlisted for admission). 

If you've been accepted, you must submit your "intent to register" by May 1, along with a deposit. Again, each campus will let you know how to do this via your portal account.

If you are admitted for the fall term, you must have final, official transcripts (high school and/or college) sent to the admissions office.  You need to go to the Counseling Office by the last day of school to receive your high school final transcript.

For more information, go to You've Applied to the CSU: Now What?

Important facts & links

• Preparing for College
• Academic Planner
• Cost of Attendance