Is Long Beach Application Process Difficult?

I'm considering applying to universities in Long Beach for college and was wondering if there are specific challenges or things I should be aware of in the application process. Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated!

If you're thinking about the application process for California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), it's similar to many other public universities in the state. CSULB uses the California State University (CSU) application, which has been designed to streamline the process for students applying to any of the CSU campuses.

Start by deciding on a major since CSULB considers your intended major when evaluating your application. Some programs may be more competitive than others, so it's important to have a clear idea of your academic goals from the onset.

The CSU application doesn't require you to submit letters of recommendation or essays. They primarily focus on your academic record, including your GPA, the rigor of your high school curriculum, and any additional information about your performance in individual courses.

A unique aspect of the CSU application is the eligibility index, a numeric score calculated with your GPA and SAT/ACT scores. It's a simple way of combining these two factors into a single number for comparison, allowing the universities to quickly determine your academic standing. However, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, CSULB is test-blind, which means the school does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Thus, your admissibility will mainly depend on your high school GPA amongst other factors.

Another important factor to remember is deadlines. For the fall term, the CSU application filing period is October 1 to November 30 of the previous year.

Lastly, CSULB is a popular and competitive school. Therefore, it can be a good idea to apply to other CSU campuses as well, to keep your options open. Good luck with your application!