Important Announcement Regarding Fall 2025

The California State University (CSU) will continue to temporarily suspend the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2024-2025 academic year. First-time freshmen must meet the following eligibility requirements: a) be a high school graduate or equivalent; b) complete the 15-unit comprehensive “a-g” pattern of college preparatory course; and c) earn a qualifying “a-g” grade point average (GPA) as described below.

Fall 2025 First-Time Freshmen Admission Requirements

Campuses in the California State University (CSU) will be utilizing a Multi-Factor Admissions Score (MFAS) process to evaluate their fall 2023 incoming freshmen class. SAT or ACT tests will not be utilized or considered as part of the admission eligibility review, and will not be used as part of the MFAS score. Self-reported information submitted in the Cal State Apply application will be used to determine eligibility. The MFAS score is a combination of your GPA from “a-g” coursework, and additional supplemental factors, if applicable.

First-Time Freshmen applicants to Fresno State for fall 2024 semester will be evaluated using two criteria: 1) qualified “a-g” college-prep high school coursework including in-progress or planned courses during the 12th grade, and 2) the “a-g” coursework GPA.

Applicants will be considered eligible for admission to Fresno State if they meet one of the following:

Graduate of a California high school or resident of California who have a-g coursework GPA of 2.5 or above, and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements.
Non-graduate of a California high school or non-resident of California who have a-g coursework GPA of 3.00 or above, and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements.

If capacity permits, the following supplemental factor will be utilize for Fresno State applicants who fall below the CSU minimum a-g coursework GPA:

For California high school graduates or residents of California earning an “a-g” GPA of 2.00-2.49 and non-California residents with an “a-g” GPA of 2.47-2.99, Fresno State will utilize any additional “a-g” courses taken above the required 30 semester minimum (15- unit comprehensive “a-g” pattern of college preparatory course).

For reference, please see historical impaction tables.

To view the list of impacted programs for first-time freshman students, click here.
To review the minimum CSU requirement for first-time freshmen, click here.

Additional Information About Fall 2025 Admission For First-Time Freshman Applicants

The California State University (CSU) is temporarily suspending the use of SAT/ACT test scores in determining admission eligibility for fall 2024. As a result, Fresno State will not be using SAT/ACT test scores to calculate your admission eligibility index.

More information about the CSU fall 2024 requirements for first-time freshman applicants can be found at https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/Pages/first-time-freshman-guidance.aspx

FALL 2025 FRESNO STATE REQUIREMENTS:
The information below explains how Fresno State will determine a first-time freshman applicant’s eligibility for fall 2025:

Students who meet the first-time Freshman CSU admissions requirements and have a GPA of 2.0 (CA HS graduates/CA residents) OR 2.47 (non-CA HS graduates and Non-Residents) will be considered for admissions. Students will be admitted based on the capacity of the program (major).
Fresno State will determine eligibility using an Admission Score (GPA x 800), where the GPA is earned in “a-g” courses taken the summer after the 9th grade through the summer after the 11th grade, to meet the Admission Score set by the University or programs
All applicants in our “local area” with an “a-g” GPA of 2.0 and above will benefit from an additional 100 Local Advantage Points towards their admission score.

Resources:

Freshmen CSU Eligibility Requirements

Complete A-G course requirement with a C or better grades (see below)
Meet eligibility admissions score (see above)
A high school diploma or passing the California High School Proficiency Examination or complete a General Education Development program (GED)

A-G Subject Requirements

The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.

A-G Requirements

Area	Subject	Years
Total Required Courses		15
A	History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science)	2
B	English (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature)	4
C	Math (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)	3
D	Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science)	2
E	Language Other than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable)	2
F	Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art)	1
G	College Preparatory Elective (additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list)	1

There are career and technical education (CTE) courses that can be used to meet any of the subject area requirements listed above. Please refer to https://www.ucop.edu/agguide/ for the entire listing of approved courses.

GPA

Your grade point average is calculated on all a-g courses completed after your 9th grade. When filling out your admission application, your GPA should include your a-g courses taken the summer after 9 th grade through the end of your 11 th grade.

Grade and points

Grade	Points
A	4
B	3
C	2
D	1
F	0

Honors, AP, College, or IB Classes

In your calculation, add an extra point to any approved honors, AP, college or IB grades used to satisfy A-G requirements in which you received a grade of C or better. For example, a B in AP Government would have a point value of 4 instead of 3.
Up to 8 semesters can be awarded extra points in your GPA calculation.
Up to four approved honors courses taken in the 10 th grade can be given extra points.
No extra points are added to grades of D or lower.
In order to be an "approved honors level course," that high school course must be identified as honors level on your official high school "a-g" course list. You can find your school's course list at www.ucop.edu/agguide/.

Admission to Fresno State is competitive in all majors because Fresno State continues to have more qualified applicants than can be accommodated by state funding. This situation is called "impaction' and it means that meeting the minimum CSU minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to Fresno State. To learn more about the Admissions Selection Process, visit our Freshman Impaction Information .