SDSU Admission - What do they look for?

I'm highly interested in applying to San Diego State University, but I'm a bit anxious. I've been trying to figure out which aspects of my application they'll value most. Can someone give me a breakdown/guideline of what actually matters to SDSU when reviewing applications?

Sure, happy to help break it down for you! San Diego State University, part of the California State University (CSU) system, is largely focused on a quantitative review of applications. So, it's important to bring your focus onto a few specific academic elements:

1. Strong GPA: One of the primary factors SDSU considers is your high school GPA. This is your calculated based on grades earned in all 'a-g' courses completed in grades 10 and 11. Remember, the Cal State system has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 for California residents and 3.0 for out-of-state applicants, but SDSU is quite competitive so you'd ideally want a GPA significantly above these minimums.

2. A-g Course Completion: Ensure you've successfully completed all required 'a-g' courses, which are specific subjects that the CSU (and UC) systems require for admission.

3. Major Preparation: SDSU often considers the rigor of your high school curriculum relative to what's available at your school, especially courses relevant to your intended major. If you have taken a rigorous schedule and have demonstrated success, it will make your application competitive.

Remember, for the application cycle of 2024-2025, SDSU is test-blind, which means the school doesn't consider SAT or ACT scores at all during application review. Hence, focusing on your GPA, relevant coursework, and major preparation is key.

Extra-curricular activities, letters of recommendation, or personal essays are not typically part of the CSU application. However, they do consider interest, as indicated by your decision to apply, and they consider whether you're applying for a major related to your high school coursework (they're less likely to admit a student applying to a Biology major with no coursework in it).

So, to maximize your chances, aim to showcase a strong academic record and make sure you satisfy all the 'a-g' course requirements. Your chosen major should make sense in the context of your previous coursework. Good luck!