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Applying to a Cal-State School? Here’s What You Need to Know About the CSU System/Process

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Even among large state university systems in the U.S., the California State University system (referred to as Cal State or CSU, although there are other CSUs in the U.S.) is a behemoth. With a population of over half a million students, staff, and faculty members across its roughly two dozen branches, it plays a huge role in educating the state of California, and also attracts students from outside the state.

If you’re used to thinking of colleges as distinct, singular entities, you may find the mechanics of applying to a large state college system like Cal State to be somewhat confusing. If you’re from outside of California, you may also have questions about how your residency affects your application requirements and chance of being accepted.

Never fear, CollegeVine is here! In this post, you’ll find an outline of the Cal State system of colleges, their application processes and requirements, and the factors you’ll need to consider if you’re thinking about applying. Read on for our advice on making wise choices about the Cal State system.

A Brief Introduction to the Cal State System

The Cal State system as it operates today was created by the California Master Plan for Education of 1960 , but the colleges it consists of have existed for much longer under various names and groupings. Originally intended primarily to educate teachers, these colleges now offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in a full range of fields.

Today, the Cal State system consists of 23 distinct campuses, some of which maintain additional “off-campus” branches that extend their reach to a larger number of students. You can find a full list of these campuses and detailed information on each campus on the Cal State website. Cal State also owns a number of other research and laboratory facilities throughout the state, including an observatory and a ship for training future mariners.

Like most state colleges, the Cal State schools were originally created to serve residents of that state. California residents still enjoy preferential treatment in admissions and a lower in-state tuition rate at the Cal State schools. However, students from other states and even other countries are also eligible to apply.

Currently, nearly 479,000 students attend Cal State each year, and the system lays claim to the title of largest (by population) 4-year state college system in the nation. It’s responsible for half the bachelor’s degrees awarded in California every year, and it awards more bachelor’s degrees each year than any other university system in the U.S.

It’s important to keep in mind that the California State University system is not the same as the University of California (UC) system. Both are systems of public universities in California, but each has its own policies, campus choices, and admissions procedures, and the UC schools are generally more selective and more expensive. To learn more about the UC system and its application requirements, visit the CollegeVine blog post How to Write the University of California Essay Prompts 2017-2018.

Applying to the Cal State System

To be eligible for admission to any of the Cal State schools, you must have successfully completed certain college preparatory courses while you were in high school. If you’ve completed these requirements, your high school GPA and your SAT or ACT scores are plugged into an established equation to produce the single number known as your Eligibility Index (EI).

Your EI is the main factor that determines admission to most of the Cal State schools and majors. Each school and major has its own EI cutoff for admission. This threshold may also depend upon where you live; students who come from the immediate area of the college and, more generally, the state of California receive preference in the form of lower EI cutoffs.

Applying to one or more schools in the Cal State system is different from applying to most other colleges in some significant ways. If you’re hoping to get admitted to a Cal State school, particularly one of the more popular campuses, you’ll need to follow the instructions carefully.

First of all, instead of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or another shared application system, the Cal State schools use their own application system, Cal State Apply. You must use this system to apply to any of the Cal State schools, and you can specify multiple Cal State schools on it if you’d like.

If you take a look at the Cal State admissions website , you’ll see that it lists a “priority application filing period” that lasts from October 1 to November 31 for admission in the next fall semester. The term “priority” is a bit of a misnomer here; at some of the more popular campuses, all the available first-year spaces may be taken during this time period.

In order to have the best possible chance at getting admitted to the Cal State college you’re interested in, you should always plan to submit your initial Cal State application during the priority application filing period. Some colleges in the system may continue to accept applications after November 31, space permitting, but this is not guaranteed.

In certain circumstances, you may have to provide additional information as part of your Cal State application. What this might require of you depends on the school and the situation. (We’ll discuss these circumstances in greater detail below.)

If you’re a first-year applicant (not a transfer applicant), you should not submit any additional documents with your initial application. After you submit your initial application, you’ll be contacted directly with instructions if and when more information becomes necessary. Don’t submit anything extra during the basic application process unless you’re specifically told to do so.

Impacted Campuses and Majors

One special piece of terminology that you’ll find used in the Cal State system is “impacted.” If a Cal State college, or a specific major at a Cal State college, is described as impacted, this means that demand for admission to this college or major exceeds the available space, making admission to this college or major much more competitive.

Whether a particular school or major is impacted can vary from year to year, but some campuses, like Cal State Fullerton , are already known to be impacted for the 2017-2018 application season. Impacted Cal State colleges generally require a higher EI for admission than the others, and impacted majors may require a higher EI than other majors at that college.

Impacted schools and majors may also base their admissions decision on additional information, requiring you to submit supplemental documents. Again, if these documents become necessary, the college will inform you and provide instructions for submission. Don’t submit any additional documents during the initial application process.

Admission for Non-California Residents

As we’ve mentioned, the Cal State system was established specifically to provide educational opportunities to students from California. For this reason, preference in admission is given to California residents, especially those living in the local area of a particular college, and to transfer students from the California community college system.

If you’re not from California, you’re still welcome to apply to the Cal State system. However, you should be aware that you’ll be subject to higher admissions standards. The EI threshold for out-of-state applicants is typically higher, meaning you’ll need higher grades and test scores to get in, and you may also need to submit supplemental documents if the college requests them.

As with most state universities and colleges, it’s also more expensive to attend schools in the Cal State system if you’re from out of state. California residents enjoy lower in-state tuition.

Choosing a Cal State Campus

With so many campus options scattered across the entire state of California, you might find it hard to decide which Cal State schools to apply to. While the schools in this system have a lot in common, and are run by the same chancellor and group of administrators, each campus also has a distinct character of its own.

Some of the Cal State schools are located in major cities like Los Angeles, while others are set in suburbs or small towns. Each school offers its own set of majors, and some of the schools are extra-specialized — Cal Maritime, for instance, is a small Cal State school that only offers a few majors related to maritime science.

Fortunately, the Cal State system’s website provides tools that you can use to help make this decision. Along with information on each college and the academic and other programs they offer, this website offers a Campus Match Tool that allows you to search among the 23 different Cal State schools by factors like size, location, and athletic offerings.

For more details about each campus, it’s a good idea to explore the individual websites of the Cal State colleges you’re interested in, and even to visit and speak to current students to get a more personal perspective. You can find links to each of the Cal State colleges on the Cal State website.  

When you submit your initial Cal State application through the Cal State Apply system, you’ll be instructed to specify your campus(es) of choice. If any of the Cal State colleges you choose requires additional information from you in order to make a decision, the individual school(s) will contact you directly and provide more instructions for what to submit and how.

Considering the Cal State system may be a little overwhelming due to its breadth, but within that wide variety of programs, you may very well find one that’s perfect for you. Especially given the early deadlines of the priority application period, if you think any of the Cal State colleges might be a good fit for your less, it’s worth getting to know their process, checking whether you meet their requirements, and putting in your research in advance.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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Applying to the California State University (CSU) system through the Cal State Apply platform involves several components designed to assess your eligibility and fit for the institution. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts of the Cal State Apply application:

1. Personal Information

This section collects basic information about you, such as your name, address, demographics, citizenship status, and social security number (if applicable). Accuracy in this section is crucial for identification and communication purposes.

2. Academic History

In this part, you will detail your educational background. This includes information about the high schools you have attended, as well as any college or university coursework if you’re a transfer student. You will need to report all courses and grades accurately. High school students will also include information about any college-level courses taken.

3. Standardized Test Scores

The CSU system suspended the use of SAT and ACT exams for admission eligibility consideration. However, you may still report these scores if you have them, as they can be used for course placement after admission. Additionally, you can enter other exams you’ve taken, like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or SAT Subject Tests.

4. Supporting Information

This optional section allows you to include information about extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other experiences that might be relevant to your application. It’s an opportunity to showcase aspects of your character and interests that aren’t reflected in your academic record.

5. Experiences and Achievements

Here, you can elaborate on your work experience, volunteer activities, awards, and honors. This section is designed to give a fuller picture of your background and what you’ve accomplished outside of academic settings.

6. Educational Program Information

For certain majors or programs, you might need to provide additional information or responses to specific questions. This can include details about your academic interests, professional goals, and reasons for choosing a particular field of study.

7. Personal Insight Questions

Some CSU campuses or programs may require you to answer personal insight questions. These are short essay questions designed to learn more about your life experiences, challenges, and achievements. Not all applicants will need to complete this section; it depends on the campus and program requirements.

8. Quartile Information

Some campuses may ask for quartile information, where you’ll indicate your academic standing within your graduating class (if known).

9. Application Fee or Fee Waiver

There is an application fee required for each CSU campus you apply to. Fee waivers are available for eligible students, allowing you to apply to up to four campuses without charge, based on financial need.

Important Tips:

• Check Campus and Program Requirements:  Some CSU campuses or programs have additional requirements or supplemental applications. Make sure to review these carefully.
• Transcripts:  While you self-report your grades and coursework in the application, some campuses may request official transcripts after you apply or upon admission.
• Deadlines:  Pay close attention to application deadlines, which can vary by campus and program. The priority application period typically runs from October 1 to November 30.

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Domestic freshman admissions.

Colorado State University was built on the belief that anyone who wants a university education should feel empowered to get one. We want your big ideas and dreams to come to life, no matter your background.   

Your freshman application is a record of all the hard work you’ve put in so far, as well as a testament to what you still plan to do. Our hope is to learn more about who you are and how you’ll contribute to the Colorado State University community. Each year, we search for applicants with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives to challenge and support one another on campus.

If you have questions before or during the application process, your  admissions counselor  is ready to help!

Who's a domestic freshman?

When to apply, what we need, who we look for, what to expect, start or finish, when to apply.

The best dates to apply for admission are based on the semester you want to start at CSU. The application opens August 1 each year for the following year’s semesters.

Freshman students typically start during the fall semester.

Early action date (non-binding) Submit a complete application file by November 15 to receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by January 15. Our early action date is non-binding, which means you don’t have to commit to CSU if you are accepted.

Regular decision date Submit a complete application file by January 15 to receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by February 28. After this date, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis and scholarships may not be available.

While less common, some freshmen start in the spring semester.

Regular decision date Submit a complete application file by November 1 for full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review. After this date, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis and scholarships may not be available.

Starting in the summer session isn’t recommended for most freshmen, though it is essential for a small portion of students. Contact your admissions counselor for information and recommended dates to apply.

A complete application file consists of the Common App, which you will submit online, and the supporting materials listed below. You can submit these items in any order, and we will review your application once we receive all the required items.

Required materials

All freshman applicants use the online Common Application to apply.

Freshman applicants must submit either a $50 application fee or application fee waiver . You will be prompted to submit your application fee or select a waiver when submitting your Common Application.

Fee waivers

• All Colorado students qualify for Free App EVERY day . You are considered a Colorado student if you have attended a Colorado high school or college/ university or you currently live in Colorado. Choose the “Colorado Free App EVERY Day” waiver type in the CSU questions in the Common App.
• U.S. military active duty, veterans, and reserve or National Guard members also are eligible to apply for free. Choose the “Active Duty, Veteran, Reserve” waiver type in the CSU questions in the Common App.
• If paying the application fee presents a financial hardship (whether you are a Colorado student or not), use the Common App application fee waiver to request a fee waiver for all Common App schools you apply to.

What we call a “personal statement” is called the “personal essay” in the Common Application. You’ll be able to type OR copy and paste your essay into your application before submitting it. The length must be between 250-650 words. Check out some tips for guidance and inspiration .

Your essay is your opportunity to help us understand what makes you unique beyond your grades and transcripts. It will be reviewed during your admission decision; it is not a factor in scholarship decisions.

The prompts you choose from are:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
• Submit your most-recent high school transcript . We’ll need to see at least three years of academic work (grades 9-11) or 75% of our recommended high school units to make a decision. Your high school transcript does not have to be official.
• Submit an official college transcript for work completed during high school ONLY IF you’ve used full-time college enrollment as your high school curriculum (such as early college or homeschool). Otherwise, wait to submit an official college transcript after high school graduation.
• Admissions decisions are provisional until we receive your final transcript verifying graduation. Your final transcript must be official.

How to submit transcripts

Optional materials

While the personal statement allows you to address your strengths, passions, and goals, the academic explanation helps us better understand your academic background.

GPA below 3.0 or D/F grades

Many students experience dips or inconsistencies in their academic record. There are so many reasons why things can go off course, and we want to understand the full picture. Community disruptions such as COVID-19  and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. We care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces.

The prompt you’ll see in the application is:

If your cumulative GPA is below 3.0/B- average (on a 4.0 scale), if you have any D or F grades, or if you are missing units in the recommended classes , this is your opportunity to explain. Tell us about the situation and/or what happened, what you did to fix it, and how your experience will help you be academically successful at CSU.

Not every student goes through high school and directly on to college without a break. If this is you, we want to know more. Be sure to include information about what you have done during your time away from school.

“Provide an explanation of any break or interruption in your education of a semester or longer since 9th grade (or equivalent). Examples include sitting out for a semester or longer during or between academic year(s), completing a gap year, or taking time off between high school and college.”

We do not require a letter of recommendation for admission or scholarship purposes. Recommendations, if submitted, are not given much weight in our review.

If you opt to submit a recommendation, you may do so through the Common Application or as a PDF or Word document attachment emailed to [email protected] .

CSU does not require ACT or SAT scores. If you submit scores, they will be added to your application, but they will only be reviewed if you email us at [email protected] to request that they be considered.

Even when requested, scores are not given much weight in the admission decision. Test scores are not used as the basis for declining an application or for consideration in the scholarship award process.

ACT or SAT results can be used for composition placement after admission.

How to submit ACT or SAT results

Every incoming class looks different, though every class reflects our commitment to maintain high academic standards and provide people of all backgrounds access to higher education.

In general, students with a 3.0+ GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a steady or upward trend in grades are admitted to CSU.

Research at CSU and across the country suggests grade point average (GPA) is the single most-predictive factor of a student’s potential for success in college. However, w e know numbers aren’t the only way to understand someone’s readiness. That’s why we also review applications holistically, meaning we take a range of academic and personal factors  into consideration.

This data reflects the middle 50% of freshmen admitted in Fall 2023. This means half the students we admitted have a GPA in this range; 25% of the students we admitted have a GPA above this range; and 25% have a GPA below this range.

Factors we consider

Rigor We verify that you’ll complete our recommended high school classes . We consider the range and relative difficulty of the courses you’ve taken each year.

Involvement We look for meaningful engagement in school, extracurricular, and community activities to understand your strengths and interests.

Performance We review your trends in grades over time and by subject and look for evidence that you have a solid foundation. In general, students with a 3.0+ GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a steady or upward trend in grades are admitted to CSU.

Additional factors We want to understand circumstances that have impacted your course selection, performance, and involvement. Also, some competitive majors require specific coursework and/or a higher grade point average to be admitted to that major.

So what does the full application process look like? See the main steps and timeline for making it all happen.

• Complete your online application. Completing the application typically takes 30-45 minutes, not including the time you spend writing your personal statement and uploading supporting documents. If you have started but not finished your application, you can return to it.
• Activate your electronic identity. Within one to two days after you submit your application, you’ll receive an email with instructions to activate your electronic identity (what we call a NetID ), which allows you to access your application status.
• Check your application status and email inbox to ensure your application is complete. Some applicants may be asked to submit more information, such as a new transcript, evidence of English proficiency, or an explanation of academic performance before receiving an admission decision. Note: We suggest you use a personal email address instead of a school address so 1) our messages are more likely to get through and 2) we can continue to reach you after you leave high school and you no longer have access to your account.
• Wait for your admission decision. This is often the hardest part! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We start releasing admissions decisions October 1 for students starting in the fall semester, and mid-August for students starting in the spring semester. Most students will have a decision within four weeks after submitting a complete application with all required materials, but we ask that you allow up to six weeks for a decision.
• Check your application status online or check your inbox for news and next steps. We will notify you of our decision through email first, followed by the printed, official admit packet, which usually arrives by mail two to three weeks after admission. Notifications generally fall into one of these categories:

Fully admitted Applicants who are admitted into CSU and into the program of their choice.

Fully admitted: alternate major Some applicants are admitted to CSU but placed in an alternate major or a related exploratory studies program instead of the competitive major they requested, either because they don’t qualify for direct admission or because capacity has been reached.

Not admitted Applicants who are not offered admission are encouraged to apply as a transfer student in the future or ask for reconsideration with compelling new academic information. Learn more about your options.

START OR FINISH YOUR APPLICATION

You’re ready. Start your application. (Or come back to finish it!) And reach out to your admissions counselor with any and all questions you have. That’s what they’re here for!  

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• Sep 28, 2022

Applying to a Cal State University in 2024

Updated: Aug 25

The California State University (CSU) is a public university system made up of 23 college campuses across the state of California​.

Whether your student is applying to one or four of the CSU colleges, they will still apply via the Cal State Apply Application .

Here’s what you need to know for the 2023-24 admissions cycle.

How do students apply to the CSUs?

The application opens Oct. 1 and has "phased deadlines," meaning some campuses will have earlier deadlines than other campuses. Eight campuses will close on November 30th, including Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and San Diego State University. You can verify deadline dates on each campus's website or look it up here.

What is admission based on?

Since 2022, the use of ACT/SAT scores in the admissions process has been suspended for all of the CSU campuses.

As a result, the 23 CSU campuses have implemented a multi-factor review to determine admission eligibility, which includes a combination of:

Completion of the 15-unit comprehensive “A-G” pattern of college prep courses with a qualifying GPA of 3.0 or higher for non-California residents

Supplemental factors

The GPA minimums and the weighting of supplemental information used may vary by campus.

Some CSU campuses are impacted or have impacted programs – meaning the number of applications received from qualified applicants exceeds the number of available spaces. These campuses may use a higher GPA minimum in their admissions process.

For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo gives extra consideration when students take beyond the minimum number of semesters required in some of the “A-G” subject areas, such as math, lab science, English, or language other than English. San Diego State University, in addition to considering all of the college-prep coursework students have taken during high school, also considers the performance and the number of units taken in courses most relevant to their intended major (see "Preparation Towards Indicated Area of Study").

The main section of the CSU application asks students to report the average number of hours they participated in extracurricular and/or leadership activities over the most recent 12 months, and the average number of hours they worked per week over the most recent 12 months. Note, students are not asked to list out the activities or work endeavors themselves, simply the amount of time spent engaged in them.

Insider Tip

Students applying to Cal Poly is interested in students' leadership roles . Students may be given extra consideration if they indicate they have held a leadership position in any of their extra-curricular activities or if 25% or more of their work experience is related to their chosen major.

Does CSU consider 9th-grade year grades?

Most CSU campuses only use a GPA derived from “A-G” coursework taken in 10th and 11th grades. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the only CSU campus that will include 9th grade in their GPA calculation.

Will CSU consider test scores if they are submitted?

The CSU has made it clear that “in no case will standardized test scores be utilized in making admissions decisions for applicants. There will still be a section on the application where students can submit SAT and ACT scores, alongside AP and IB scores, but the test results will be used only for college-level math and English course placement for admitted students.

Will CSU count “credit” or “pass” pass grades?

Yes! The CSU campuses will consider course grades of “credit” or “pass” as fulfilling “a-g” requirements for those courses completed from the spring 2020 term to the summer 2021 term. Grades of credit/pass or no credit/no pass will satisfy eligibility requirements, but they will not be included in the calculation of high school GPA.

Is an essay required?

Although the CSU campuses will be looking at coursework and non-academic variables such as hours spent in extracurricular activities, the CSU system does not require essays or personal statements and remains as objective as possible in making admissions decisions.

Do I need to submit my transcript or Letters of Recommendation?

Students will self-report their courses and grades in the application and do not submit letters of recommendation.

Where can I learn more about the CSU campuses?

Each CSU campus offers its own events. Find the campuses here and link to their admission events website pages. You can also visit with specific campuses in October:

Where can I learn how to navigate Cal State Apply Application?

Several resources are available to students throughout the admissions process:

Read the Cal State Freshman Application Guide

Read the Cal State Admission Handbook

Students can sign up for a virtual application workshop here . Scroll to the very bottom of the page to "Workshops and Information Sessions."

Students can also wat ch Cal Poly's series of application videos.

Cal State Apply Coursework Entry Guide

Freshman Admission Requirements

Out-of-State CSU Eligibly Index

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You're the type of student we're looking for. You're talented, passionate and inquisitive. You want to make a difference in your community and in the world. You're determined to succeed and you won't let anything stand in your way. You're ready to become a Matador.

To support incoming students as we emerge from the recent public health situation, all California State University campuses are being flexible with certain admission requirements. Learn more at  High School Guidance for First-Time, First-Year Students .  

Keep reading to find out what you need to do to apply for admission to CSUN.

California Resident Applicants

No matter what part of California you’re from, you’ll find a home at CSUN. Visit our beautiful campus in person or virtually  and discover why CSUN is one of the premier academic institutions in our state!

Fall freshman admissions

CSUN accepts freshman applications each year between Oct. 1 and Jan. 31  for admission to the coming fall semester.

Am I a freshman?

You are considered a freshman if one of the following describes your situation:

• You have not yet graduated from high school but are on track to graduate with a high school diploma by spring of your senior year.
• You graduated from high school and received a diploma, but you have not taken any college courses following your high school graduation.
• You have earned a certificate for one of the California state high school proficiency exams — General Education Development (GED) or High School Equivalency test (HiSET).

What do I need to apply for admission?

To be considered for admission, freshman applicants will need:

• Unofficial transcripts. You will be required to enter all completed courses as well as those currently in progress and those you plan to take in the future.
• Social Security number, if you have one.
• Your citizenship status. This is for CSU tuition purposes and will not affect your admission application.
• Credit/debit card. The $70 application fee is due at the time of submission and can only be paid by credit/debit card. The online application will calculate your eligibility for an application fee waiver.
• Annual income. If you are a dependent, then report your parents’ or guardian’s income. If you are independent, report your income.
• If you are applying to the Educational Opportunity Program, you will be required to report your parents'/guardian’s educational and employment background and submit two letters of recommendation.

What classes do I need to take to qualify for admission?

You must successfully complete the college preparatory subject requirements listed below (known as “A-to-G” in California) with a grade of C- or better.  Because of the pandemic, any credit/pass grades that you earned for A-to-G courses you took winter 2020 through summer 2021 will be accepted as satisfying this requirement. Starting fall 2021, you must take A-to-G courses for a letter grade and earn at least a C- grade.

A to G College Preparatory Subject Requirements

• English: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; 4 years recommended but not required)
• Social Science/History: 2 years (1 year U.S. history or U.S. history and government)
• Science: 2 years (1 year biological science with lab and 1 year physical science with lab)
• Foreign Language: 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)
• Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year (art, dance, drama/theater or music)
• Electives: 1 year (selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science/history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or any other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU "A-to-G" list)

No course work taken after graduation will be accepted to meet fall admission requirements.

The application period opens Oct. 1 at  Cal State Apply .

What qualifying Eligibility Index score do I need to earn to be admitted?

The following information is for  fall 2024  admissions.

• All California State University (CSU) campuses use the Eligibility Index as part of the freshman admission decision. 
• The minimum Eligibility Index score is 2500 for California students graduating from all high schools within California.
• The Eligibility Index is based on your high school grade point average (HSGPA) in all your college prep A to G classes. In some cases, points may be awarded through five (5) additional multifactor admission criteria.
• CSUN does not require the SAT/ACT for admission. However, if you have taken the tests, please send us your scores to assist with placement in math and writing courses if you are admitted.  AP, CLEP and IB scores are also helpful for placement .

Calculating your Eligibility Index:

CSUN’s minimum Eligibility Index can be achieved in either of two ways:

• If HSGPA is 2.50 or better : A-to-G HSGPA x 1,000
• If HSGPA is less than 2.50 : A-to-G HSGPA x 1,000 + (total multifactor eligibility points)

– If your HSGPA is 2.50 or better, multiply your GPA by 1,000. For example, the Eligibility Index for a 2.50 HSGPA is 2500.

– If your HSGPA is less than 2.50, multiply your GPA by 1,000 and then add any points awarded for the multifactor admission criteria shown in the table below. For example, a student might have a HSGPA of 2.40, qualify for the Cal State Apply application fee waiver and have no parents who attended college. Therefore, add 2400 (GPA x 1,000) + 100 points (25 + 75), for an Eligibility Index of 2500.

– All California residents can gain points from the multifactor admission criteria in the table below.

• A minimum Eligibility Index higher than 2500 may be required depending on your chosen major. Please see the notes below the table.

• Competitive majors. Some majors receive more applications than CSUN has spots to offer (the CSU calls this impaction ). To qualify for admission to these majors, applicants must meet or exceed a higher Eligibility Index, which can change annually. Please visit  CSUN's impaction website to learn more about these majors.
• Graduates of California high schools and California residents whose HSGPA falls below these required minimums can receive additional eligibility points if they meet any of the multifactor admission criteria listed in the table above.

Out-of-State Applicants

No matter what part of the country you’re from, you’ll find a home at CSUN. Visit our beautiful campus in person or virtually  to discover why CSUN is one of the premier academic institutions in California!

If you are a resident of one of the member U.S. states or territories of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, you can enjoy reduced non-resident tuition rates by participating in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. Visit  WUE at CSUN  to learn more.

Fall freshmen admissions

CSUN accepts freshman applications each year between Oct. 1 and  J an. 31  for admission to the coming fall semester.

• You have earned a certificate for one of these high school graduation equivalency exams: the General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency test (HiSET), or equivalent certificate awarded by other states.
• Your citizenship status.
• Credit/debit card. The $70 application fee is due at the time of submission and can only be paid by credit/debit card.

You must successfully complete the college preparatory subject requirements listed below (known as “A to G” in California) with a grade of B or better. Because of the pandemic, any credit/pass grades that you earned for A to G courses you took winter 2020 through summer 2021 will be accepted as satisfying this requirement. Starting fall 2021, you must take A ro G courses for a letter grade and earn at least a B grade.

A-to-G College Preparatory Subject Requirements

• Mathematics: 3 years (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; 4 years recommended but not required)

The application period opens Oct. 1 .  Cal State Apply

What qualifying eligibility index score do I need to earn to be admitted?

• The Eligibility Index is based on your  high school grade point average  (HSGPA) in all your college prep A-to-G classes (or equivalents).
• CSUN does not require the SAT/ACT for admission. However, if you have taken the tests, please send us your scores to assist with placement in math and writing courses if you are admitted.  AP, CLEP and IB scores are also helpful for placement .

Calculating your Eligibility Index

Multiply your high school GPA for the A-to-G subjects (or equivalents) by 1,000:

A-to-G subject HSGPA x 1,000

• Non-resident (out-of-state) applicants graduating from high schools outside of California must possess a minimum eligibility index of 3000 (or HSGPA of 3.0) in the A-to-G subjects.

International Applicants

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First-year requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
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International applicants

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AP & Exam credits

Applying as a first year

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

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Apply for financial aid

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• Apply for aid
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

Discover CSUN

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Empower your future by becoming a Matador. CSUN is where bright futures are built as goals are achieved and dreams are accomplished. More than 70% of our students are the first in their families to go to college. Whether you’re a first-generation student or you’re continuing a family tradition, you’ll find the support you need to succeed in college and earn your degree.

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CSU Freshman Requirements (essays)

So I'm applying for Fall 2023 as a freshman. I was just wondering, does CSU require essays for admission? I'm applying to SJSU, SFSU, and Cal State East Bay and I wanted to know if I had to write essays for them.

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Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. as a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. what lessons have you learned in life thus far what will your classmates learn from you in short, how has your lived experience shaped you  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (required for all applicants. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. we believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about, 3. duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community., 4. we recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. why is this community meaningful to you you may define community however you like. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place, things to consider: think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. you can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community, why were you inspired to act what did you learn from your effort how did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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College essays matter. Here's how to write one that stands out | College Connection

Students facing the college application process typically dread one component: the Common App essay. 

Students are presented with six essay prompts, as well as a seventh option, which is “topic of your choice.” Students therefore have limitless possibilities for this essay which will be carefully reviewed by each college to which the student applies.

The goal of college admissions officers is to learn about the student who is applying: personal qualities, struggles, ambitions, priorities. On other parts of the application a student’s “data” is detailed. So, this is not the place to write about one’s SAT scores, GPA, or intended major, or to enumerate one’s activities. It is the place to write about an event, situation, or life circumstance that has influenced the student’s attitudes, goals, and perceptions of life.

The options are limitless. Students can write about life occurrences that impacted them: an illness, a learning disability, a relocation. They can use a sport, club, organization, or volunteer group as the overarching framework within which they learned important life lessons. 

More: The biggest key to college acceptance | College Connection

One student’s essay, which went viral after its author was accepted to a multitude of Ivy League schools, focused on lessons she learned from visits to Costco over the years. In short, students can write about anything that has impacted them – hopefully in a positive way.

Then, students face supplemental essays. Many colleges, including almost all the most competitive ones, require an essay that is specific to the school. Typically, the question is along the lines of, “Why do you want to attend this institution?” or “Why did you choose your particular major and how will our school prepare you to meet your future goals?”

More: These are the latest trends in college admissions | College Connection

Colleges are aware that students typically apply to 8 to 12 different schools, and they are trying to discern “demonstrated interest,” or, in other words, the likelihood of a student enrolling if accepted. So, students should utilize each supplemental essay as an opportunity to demonstrate their interest in the particular college, and should specifically state the courses, programs, study abroad options, internships, and any other characteristics that make the institution a perfect match for their college ambitions.

By showing enthusiasm for each school and sharing their attributes through the Common App and supplemental essays, students will greatly enhance their prospects of experiencing a successful college application process.   

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT ® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

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We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Colorado State University | CSU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Additional info essay.

If your cumulative GPA is below 3.0/B- average (on a 4.0 scale), if you have any D or F grades, or if you are missing units in our CSU Recommended Courses, this is your opportunity to explain. Tell us about the situation and/or what happened, what you did to fix it, and how your experience will help you be academically successful at CSU.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Tackling the Personal Essay: Tips from a Notre Dame Admissions Counselor

Published: August 30, 2024

Author: Zach Klonsinski

If you ask almost any admissions professional which part of reading applications is their favorite, it’s likely their answer will be a resounding, “The essays!” Essays are where we get to engage with students’ hopes, fears, dreams, life experiences (and more) in their authentic voice. We are humbled every year getting to “meet” all the incredible young people who are applying to Notre Dame through their essays!

Yet, writing an essay introducing yourself can be really hard. Maybe you’ve never done so before, or you haven’t for a really long time, and often it will seem really awkward. That’s OK!

It feels hard because it is–or at least it can be.

Don’t worry, though! I love sharing tips with applicants about the personal essay that will hopefully help you see it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and then share that discernment with the colleges who will be fortunate enough to receive your application!

Getting started

The easiest way to get started is by simply brainstorming! I love using pen and paper (I’m anti-pencil, though I realize that may be a divisive opinion). The physical materials help me feel less constrained by technology, though you may find the technology comforting.

Use bulleted lists or short phrases to capture ideas, life experiences, values, and more. Every day, set aside five minutes to write about yourself or your college discernment process without stopping to think. Where does your mind lead you when you get out of your own way?

Ask your friends and family to help you identify values that are important to you or things that make you.. well… you! Often it’s easier to highlight and say nice things about someone else than it is ourselves, so lean on those who know you well!

Group these collective nuggets to see if any patterns or stories emerge. Do you see any prompts on your application that align with your brainstorming? The Common Application, for example, has seven to choose from, including a make your own prompt! Start writing on one that makes you pause, as that means you might have something to say! Don’t be afraid to go longer than your word count or to use an atypical form of writing.

While that specific level of chaos may not work for you, I always recommend staying away from sentences and avoiding constraining yourself while writing because…

Editing is more than spelling and grammar!

When we want to “edit” something, it can be tempting to start–and just as quickly end–with spell check. (Yes, your essay should have proper spelling and grammar, but please know we are not reading your essay with a red pen “grading” every single comma.)

What is far more important–though also far more intimidating–is your essay’s content.

What really improved my writing actually had nothing to do with me–rather, it was finding trusted editors to give me honest and constructive feedback. While it’s tempting to have your best friend or family member read your essay, I’ve found my best editors possess a strong rhetorical mind, ask thoughtful questions, and are not afraid to tell me when something isn’t working the way I think it is.

This may describe someone close to you, but maybe not. Maybe there’s a classmate or teacher who you have always admired, even if you don’t know them that well. Editing is an incredibly vulnerable process; don’t be afraid to lean into that vulnerability! I promise that a strong editor who works with your voice and style–rather than rewriting your essay how they would have–will help bring forth an authentic essay you didn’t even realize you could write!

Speaking of, authenticity will lead to your best essay

The best application essay is the one that helps us get to know you. Period. Full stop. Any topic can be a good topic, any topic can be a bad topic. At the end of the day, the topic you choose to write about is only a gateway to help us get to know you!

Let’s think of it another way. Say you printed out your essay at your school, without your name or other identifying information on it, and someone who knows you picked it up and read it. If they said, “I bet this is (your name)’s essay,” I can already tell you’re on the right track. There’s something truly you about it!

Where can I find more about writing application essays?

I’m so glad you asked! On our On-Demand Sessions webpage , you can find a number of helpful recorded sessions from our College Application Workshop series. One of them, co-presented by yours truly, is called “Crafting the Perfect College Essay”. My colleague Maria Finan and I present our own tips and tricks for about 20 minutes and then take questions from a virtual audience for the remainder of the 45 minute session. I invite you to check it out, as well as the other sessions we have recorded!

Ready to Write Your App Essays? Advice from an Admissions Counselor on the Notre Dame Supplement

Zach Klonsinski is a senior assistant director with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

He is the regional counselor for Minnesota, Missouri (Kansas City), Wisconsin, Rwanda, Kenya, France, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, and China - Beijing

• Read Zach's profile.

The 5 Most Common Questions About Applying to the CSU

Applying to college doesn’t need to be complicated; learn how to make your way through the application process quickly and easily..

​ The CSU priority filing period for applications for fall typically runs from October 1 to November 30.

​​​The California State University's application season is now underway, which means that students are figuring out what they need to get into a CSU campus, which location is the best fit, what they might want to major in, and how to apply for financial aid, among other questions. Here, we answer the most common questions high school counselors from the 2016 Counselor Conference in Pasadena said they get from students who are applying to the CSU: 1. Where do I apply to the CSU? You can apply to any of the 23 CSU campuses through Cal State Apply . Whether you're a U.S. or international student, undergraduate, transfer or graduate student, this website handles the entire application process. You can also apply for CalStateTEACH , the online teacher credential program, and the Educational Opportunity Program . The application period for admission for the fall term opens on October 1 and the priority deadline to apply for admission as an undergraduate student is November 30, unless extended. You should check specific campuses and departments for international and grad​uate application deadlines. ​ 2. Which campus(es) should I apply to? The CSU offers 23 campuses that run the length of the state, from Humboldt State in the north to San Diego State in the south. You can compare campuses by location (Northern California, Central California or Southern California) and setting (small/medium city, large town or major city). You can also see the total enrollment of students to get a sense of how small or large the campus community is. If you're interested in a specific field of study , you can search through the campuses to check which schools offer various majors. You can select your desired degree, area of study, and preference of face-to-face instruction, online, or a mix of the two. If you can, you should also try to visit the​ campuses you're interested in so you can get a sense of the school first-hand. Many campuses offer preview days and o​pen houses for students to tour the school and meet students, faculty and staff. 3. What is "impaction"? Impaction means that more qualified applicants apply to a CSU campus and/or major than can be accommodated. As a result, the minimum admission requirements may be raised, potentially making it harder to get into a campus or a program you're interested in. You can check which campuses are impacted for first-time freshmen and transfer students, as well as which degree programs are impacted at each campus. If you're interested in an impacted major or campus,​ you must apply by the priority deadline (November 30, 2016) and you're encouraged to apply to additional campuses to maximize your chances for admission. Non-impacted campuses are open to all CSU-eligible applicants. 4. What do I need to get admitted to a CSU as a first-time freshman? You ​must meet the "a-g" course requirements , which include a specific number of years for social science, English, mathematics, laboratory science, a language other than English, visual and performing arts, and a college preparatory elective. Because high schools may have different titles for courses, you can check which classes meet the "a-g" course requirements through UC Doorways . You can also use this roadmap to track which classes you should be taking each year from middle school through high school. Additionally, you must meet a minimum eligibility index , which is a weighted combination of your high school grade point average (GPA) during your last three years of high school and either your SAT or ACT score. California residents and non-residents have two separate eligibility indexes. 5. How much is tuition and how can I get financial aid? While the tuition for each CSU campus is generally the same, costs will vary depending on where you live, books and supplies, meals and other miscellaneous expenses. You can get a general sense of how much it will cost  to attend a CSU. Eighty percent of students at the CSU receive some type of financial aid to cover those costs. You can receive aid by applying to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADA) for AB 540 students, which are both open now. You can also apply for and receive other forms of aid, including grants, loans, scholarships and work-study. ​ ​

To learn more and apply, visit the Cal State Apply portal​ .

Updated December 10, 2020 ​

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College Transfer Guide: Everything to Know About Transfer Credits

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By Matt Rowley Posted on August 26, 2024

Transferring schools is becoming more common for college students as higher education returns to its pre-pandemic status quo. Consider these highlights from  2023 data collected by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center:

• The number of college students who transferred to a new school in fall 2023 grew 5.3 percent compared to the previous fall.
• Transfer students represented 13.2% of all continuing and returning undergraduates, up from 12.5% the previous year.

College students who embark on this path may encounter a lack of information about the transfer process. To combat this, we’ve published this series of articles to help potential transfer students learn everything they need to know to make the process as quick and easy as possible.

What to Expect When Transferring Credits

The most critical element of the transfer process is making sure that your hard work as a student is carried forward to your new school and degree program. Each school is different, so make sure to contact your new university to determine how many credits they will accept. Also, research the courses and goals of your degree program, as this may impact how many of your previous credits are accepted. For example, if you completed a class in your chosen field of study that does not align with the academic rigor or values of your new school, they may deny those credits.

To explore this further, follow this link for our article about questions to ask when transferring credits .

Credit for Professional Certifications and Training

Many students already work in the field that they’re studying, and this experience may have included some kind of training program, professional certification, or license. Because these represent a form of on-the-job or third-party provided education, they can sometimes be accepted as college credit.

If you have certifications you think might apply, learn more about how to submit them for consideration in our article about professional certifications and training .

Credit for Work Experience

Like certifications, certain elements of your day-to-day work experience can be considered for college credit, depending on the field of study. Since working in the field gives you an invaluable understanding of the subject matter you’re studying, many schools consider your work achievements valid for college credit. Once you submit examples of your work and expertise, it will be reviewed by the school.

To learn more, here’s our article about receiving credit for work experience .

Credit for Military Service

If you’re a military veteran, your service may be accepted as college credit in certain fields. Each school has a unique policy regarding military service credit – and some do not accept it – so it can make a difference to find a school that will give your military record consideration. Once you find a school and begin the application process, you’ll need to obtain your Joint Services Transcript, or JST. The JST serves as your definitive record, documenting every detail of your training and service. As with other transfer credit processes, your prospective school will review your JST and determine which elements of it will be accepted as transfer credits.

To learn more about this process, here’s our guide to receiving college credit for military service .

College-Level Examination Program

The College-Level Examination Program – or CLEP – is a way for students who already have expertise in a certain subject to display their knowledge and earn credits toward their degree. Depending on the subject matter and your previous experience, colleges may accept CLEP exam results and allow you to bypass certain general studies course requirements, which allows you to focus on the subject matter you care about most. Before you sign up, ask your school about CLEP exams and determine whether it’s worth it for you to pay the fees for an exam.

Here's our breakdown about CLEP exams .

Articulation Agreements

An articulation agreement is an agreed-upon set of standards and rules between two schools, typically between a community college and university. It codifies the relationship between the schools and the process through which students can transfer from one to the other. They can sometimes include automatic acceptance, degree tracks for credit transfers, and dual enrollment. Because articulation agreements are designed to help students obtain their bachelor’s degree, they can be a great way to further your studies.

Learn more in our article about articulation agreements .

Transferring to CSU

Here at Columbia Southern University, our online degree programs are designed to help students earn a degree, no matter where they started.

To learn more about CSU’s online degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, visit our website .

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation and pending Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

Topics in This Article

• Transfer Credit

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