Frequently Asked Questions

For Prospective Students

Application Filing/Deadlines
Academic Requirements
Freshmen
Transfer
Exchange / not-degree-seeking students
Graduate admissions
Evaluation Reports / Transcripts
English Proficiency Equipments
Financial Statement
Sponsorship/scholarships/financial aid
After admitted

For Newly Admitted Students

I have been admitted. What do I do now?

Please visit "I Have Been Admitted – FAQs"

 

Application Filing/Deadlines

Where can I find an application form? Do you accept a paper application?

SDSU uses the California State University admission application available through the CSUMentor Web site. There is an application filing fee of $55 that must accompany your application. There is a separate application for undergraduate, graduate/post-baccalaureate and International admissions. Make sure that you choose the “International Admissions Application” and a correct application term (Fall 2012, etc.).

Please do not send supporting documents and test scores before submitting the CSUMentor application as this may result in processing delays.

When is the application deadline?

You can find the application deadlines here

I have dual U.S./other citizenship (or U.S. permanent residency (green card)), but I was born outside the U.S. and much or all of my education was outside of the U.S. Should I apply as an international student?

An international applicant is one who holds an F-1 or J-1 visa and should apply using the International application. Students with other types of visas or who attended school outside of the country are not considered international students and should file the regular undergraduate admission application. Since your education was in a foreign country, you must submit official certificates and detailed transcripts with your application for admission.

If I do not have the TOEFL score or evaluation reports before the application deadline, is it possible to have my application reviewed without them?

There are two deadlines for your application process. One is for the online application filing; the other is for supporting documents and test scores submission, which is usually later than the online application deadline. You are required to meet both deadlines in order to avoid a delay or risk in the admission review process.

Where should I send supporting documents?

Official TOEFL/ IELTS score and evaluation reports must be sent directly to SDSU in a sealed envelope.

For other supporting documents :
**** Clearly mark envelops with your full name and Red ID number. ****

Submit all academic records to:
Office of Admissions
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive,
San Diego, CA 92182-7455

Submit financial statement form and verification to:
International Student Center
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-5101

The San Diego State University Spring and Fall 2012 Financial Statement Form can be found here.

When can I expect to know my admission decisions? How can I check?

Please visit "I Have Applied" to find out how to complete your application, how to check your application status, important dates/deadlines, and more.

How and when do I receive I-20 from SDSU?

I-20 is issued after a student is offered admission. For details, please visit "I Have Been Admitted" – Frequently Asked Questions.

Academic Requirements

Freshman
I want to apply as a freshman. What should I do?

To find out the admissions requirements and processes for Transfers/Undergraduate students, please visit "I Want To Apply: Freshmen"

I took a few courses at a college/university in my country. Can I apply to SDSU as a freshman?

It needs to be your first time enrolling at a college or university in order to apply as a freshman. For admissions requirements as a transfer student, please visit "I Want To Apply: Transfer"

Transfer
I would like to transfer to SDSU. What should I do?

To find out the admissions eligibilities/requirements for transfer students, please visit "I Want To Apply: Transfer"

How can I know the classes I took at my local university can be transferred to SDSU?

The Office of Admission uses the evaluation report to determine your academic eligibility and transferrable units for admissions.
In addition, for students who attended a U.S. University or community college may use the; SDSU Transfer Admission Planner to check the transferability of their courses to SDSU.
For the steps to request evaluation reports, please review Typical Evaluation Service Report Process

I am in my freshman year at a different university. Can I transfer to SDSU now?

In order to transfer to SDSU upper division, you must complete a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) or more transferable baccalaureate-level units and other requirements before transferring to SDSU. For details, please visit Academic requirements for Transfer.

Exchange/not-degree-seeking students
Can I take classes at SDSU only for a semester or two?

Short-term "visiting student" programs are available at SDSU if your current university has signed an official exchange agreement directly with SDSU for students with your objective. A list of all exchange agreements is available by clicking here.

Students interested in taking SDSU courses for a semester or two and are not seeking a degree from SDSU should inquire about the Semester at SDSU program. Contact the American Language Institute for details.

Graduate admissions
Do I need to take GRE or GMAT? Which one should I take? What is the required or recommended score?

The University requires that applicants to all advanced degree programs present satisfactory scores on the Graduate Admissions Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants for admission to the College of Business Administration will take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT); students applying for admission to the concentration in Health Services Administration in the Graduate School of Public Health may submit scores from either the GRE or the GMAT. The required GRE or GMAT scores are defined by the departments. Please consult with your program of choice.

GRE
To register for the GRE, go to www.ets.org/gre/. Contact the Educational Testing Service to request that your GRE scores be sent directly to SDSU (Institution Code 4682).

GMAT
To register for the GMAT, go to www.mba.com. Request that your GMAT scores be sent directly to SDSU (Institution Code 9LT-2P-73).

I have not taken TOEFL or GRE/GMAT yet. Can I get a conditional acceptance?

SDSU does not offer a conditional acceptance to graduate applicants. If you wish to take preparation courses for TOEFL or GMAT for the MBA program, you might consider enrolling in the American Language Institute (ALI)’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or Pre-MBA/Graduate Business Program. The ALI is a division of San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies and located on SDSU campus. For more information, please visit the ALI website.

Evaluation Reports / Transcripts

I have transcripts from schools overseas. Do you accept them?

Students with international coursework must submit the following evaluation report to be considered for admission. Evaluation reports must be detailed evaluations with equivalent US credits and grades:

Detail Report with Course Level Identification
International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665, Culver City, CA 90231
www.ierf.org Tel :(310) 258-9451

Can I use other evaluation services, such as WES?

SDSU currently only uses the detailed report from International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF) to determine your academic eligibility for admission.

I sent my transcripts to IERF for evaluation reports already. Do I need to send the transcripts to SDSU too?

Please submit sealed official transcripts to the Office of Admissions, upon receiving admission to SDSU and completion of your diploma/degree, with the latest grades for the admission review process. You are required to submit your official transcript with your final grades after you completed a diploma/degree.

English Proficiency Equipments

What is required for English Proficiency?

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was not in English, must demonstrate competence in English in one of the four ways:

  1. TOEFL score of 550 paper/80 iBT
  2. IELTS score of 6.5
    TOEFL will be waived if:
  1. Student completed the waiver program through the American Language Institute
  2. Transfer students who have met all the eligibility requirements (60+ units , required courses and GPA) at a U.S. institution

    3. You can read more about these requirements on "Submit Test Scores".

My TOEFL/IELTS score is lower than the required score. Can I have a conditional acceptance?

The American Language Institute (ALI) offers conditional admission to SDSU only for undergraduate students and only in terms of English proficiency. The ALI’s conditional admission can help students obtain a visa; however, it does not guarantee admissions to SDSU. Students must meet all other requirements determined by SDSU in order to be considered for admissions.
Please visit ALI website to find out about the English/Academic preparation courses. Please visit I Want To Apply” to find out about SDSU admissions requirements.

Financial Statement

Financial Statement
(how much required, bank statements, sponsorship)
How much does it cost?

You will be required to submit a financial statement verifying that you have at least $31,800 for Undergraduates ($35,400 for Graduate Business) available for one academic year (2 semesters with 12 units for undergraduate or 9 units for graduate) to cover the following estimated costs:

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Trustees of the California State University without prior notice and are usually increased each academic year.

What do I need to submit?

Complete, sign, and return the SDSU Financial Statement Form, along with bank verification supporting your resources.

    You can verify funds in ONE of three ways:
  1. Have the bank stamp the form, OR
  2. Have the bank write a letter with the amount clearly stated that you or your sponsor have the amount in an account , OR
  3. Submit a monthly bank statement.

The form and verification must show the minimum amount required. The funds can be in a foreign currency, but the document verifying the funds must not be older than 6 months.
It is not required that you submit the form at the same time as the application; however, it is recommended to do it soon after. If you are admitted, documents for your student visa cannot be issued until this document is approved.

My parents and I are paying for my school. Can I submit more than one bank statement?

Yes, funding sources can be multiple as long as the sum of the finding available meets the financial requirement. You can submit one financial statement (SDSU form) accompanied with official bank statements from all sponsors.

Sponsorship/scholarships/financial aid
Can I apply for a student loan or financial aid?

International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state financial aid programs or student loans.

Are there scholarships or any financial assistantship available for international students?

SDSU also do not offer full-expense scholarships; however, students may apply for any university scholarship for which they are eligible. Check eligibility requirements on the scholarship page. Graduate and post-doctorial students may be able to find financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships or research assistantships.
Please visit our Financial Assistance site for more details.

Can I work on- or off-campus?

Permission to work is subject to employment regulations and must be pre-authorized by the ISC. Contact the ISC for more details.