San Diego State Application Requirements: What Most People Get Wrong

Applying to San Diego State University (SDSU) feels like a high-stakes game of Tetris. You think you have all the pieces lined up—the GPA, the extracurriculars, the dream of living near the Pacific—and then you realize the board is shaped a bit differently than you expected.

Honestly, the most common mistake I see is people treating SDSU like a "typical" state school. It isn't. With acceptance rates hovering in the competitive zone and specific "impacted" major rules, you can't just wing the Cal State Apply portal. You've got to be surgical.

The GPA Reality Check

Let’s talk numbers because that’s where the confusion starts. While the California State University (CSU) system technically says you can get in with a 2.5 GPA if you're a local resident (or a 3.0 for non-locals), those are the minimums. Basically, they're the "entry fee" to even have your application looked at.

For the Fall 2026 cycle, being "eligible" isn't the same as being "competitive." If you're eyeing high-demand programs like Nursing, Psychology, or Business, you’re looking at a different stratosphere. Nursing, for instance, is notoriously brutal. You need a minimum B grade in Intermediate Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry just to stay in the running. Even then, most successful applicants are rocking GPAs way closer to a 4.0.

The A-G Course Pattern

You probably already know about the A-G requirements, but SDSU is picky about how you finish them. You need 15 units of college-prep courses, but doing the bare minimum is risky.

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• Math: They require 3 years, but honestly? Take 4.
• Lab Science: They want 2 years (one biological, one physical), but 3 is the sweet spot for competitive majors.
• Foreign Language: 2 years of the same language is the hard rule.

If you end your senior year with a "D" or "F" in any of these, your offer of admission can be snatched away faster than a taco at Hodad’s. They check final transcripts by July 15, and they aren't kidding about that deadline.

The "Impacted" Major Trap

Every single undergraduate major at SDSU is "impacted." This is a fancy way of saying there are way more people applying than there are seats in the classroom. Because of this, SDSU uses supplemental criteria.

They look at your preparation towards your specific major. If you apply for Engineering but didn't take high-level math in high school, you're at a massive disadvantage. For the 2026-2027 cycle, some majors are even adding new hurdles. For example, Television, Film, and New Media (Production emphasis) now requires a portfolio for first-year applicants.

Expert Tip: If you aren't 100% sure about a competitive major, check if SDSU allows an "alternate major" on your application. Sometimes it’s better to get your foot in the door with a less impacted related field, though keep in mind that switching into Nursing or certain Arts programs later is nearly impossible.

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What About Test Scores?

Here is the weird part: SDSU is currently "test-blind" for admission. This means your SAT or ACT scores won't help you get in.

However, don't throw your score reports in the trash just yet. They still use those scores for placement in English and Math courses once you're admitted. If you have a 550 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, it might save you from taking an extra foundational class.

Transferring In: The 60-Unit Rule

If you're coming from a community college, the rules change. You can't just transfer after one year. SDSU generally doesn't even look at "lower-division" transfers (people with fewer than 60 units).

You need:

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1. The Golden Four: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics. You need a C- or better in all of them.
2. 60 Transferable Units: These must be done by the end of the Spring term before you start. No, you can't use Summer classes to meet the 60-unit mark for a Fall start.
3. GPA Requirements: While a 2.0 is the baseline, most majors have a much higher "major-specific" GPA requirement. For Business, you’re usually looking at a 2.9 or higher.

If you’re at a local San Diego community college like Mesa, Grossmont, or Southwestern, look into the TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee). It’s a lifesaver, but you have to follow the roadmap perfectly.

Important Dates for Fall 2026

The window is smaller than you think.

• October 1 – December 2: This is the "Golden Window" to submit your Cal State Apply application.
• January 31: Deadline for transfer students to update their academic history.
• March: This is when the "I got in!" (or "I'm waitlisted") emails start flying.
• May 1: The "Intent to Enroll" deadline. You’ll need to cough up a $400 non-refundable deposit by this date to hold your spot.

The International Student Factor

If you're an international applicant, the paperwork is a bit more intense. You'll need to prove English proficiency unless your high school was taught in English.

For the 2026 cycle, SDSU accepts:

• TOEFL: 80 or higher (iBT).
• IELTS: 6.5 or higher.
• Duolingo: 105 or higher.

Also, your name on the application must match your passport exactly. Sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people use nicknames and end up in a bureaucratic nightmare.

Practical Next Steps

1. Audit your A-G requirements right now. If you're a junior or senior, make sure you aren't missing that second year of a foreign language or that visual/performing art credit.
2. Check the "Impacted" status of your major. Go to the SDSU website and look up the specific GPA average for your intended major from the previous year. It’ll give you a realistic target.
3. Set up your Cal State Apply account early. Don't wait until December 1st. The site is notorious for lagging when thousands of students try to hit "submit" at the same time.
4. Local students: verify your status. If you live in the "local admission area," you get a slight bump in the point system SDSU uses to rank applicants. Make sure your high school or community college is on the official local list.
5. Look into the EOP (Educational Opportunity Program). If you come from a low-income or historically disadvantaged background, this program provides extra support, but you have to apply for it at the same time as your general application.