Admissions Appeals

We Believe in Second Chances

Each year, many applicants are not offered admission to CSU Bakersfield. If you have been denied admission to CSUB, need an extension on a deadline to apply, or failed to adhere to the posted deadlines, you can request an appeal. Submission of an admissions appeal does not mean admission will be granted or you will be allowed to apply late.  Consideration is given to well-documented and extenuating circumstances beyond the applicant's control.

We strongly encourage students to wait to submit the admissions appeal packet until they have all supporting documentation ready to submit along with the form. The Admission Appeal Committee meets periodically throughout the semester to review appeals.  The appeals committee will make every effort to respond to your request within 45 business days of receiving a completed appeals package.  Appeal decisions will be communicated to you via the email provided on the appeal form.   

Students are limited to one appeal per application term. Decisions rendered are final. 

Admissions Requirements

First-Time Freshman 

To be considered for freshman admission to CSUB, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Complete each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirement with a grade of "C" or higher, prior to high school graduation. Grades of “credit/pass" in 'A-G' courses completed in 2020 (winter, spring, summer and fall) and 2021 (winter and spring) will also be considered to fulfill A-G requirements.
  2. Must achieve a qualifying overall GPA in the 'A-G' courses completed after the 9th grade. The minimum GPA requirements are:
    • California residents or graduates of CA high schools: 2.50 GPA
    • Non-California residents that are graduates of non-CA high schools: 3.00 GPA

The California State University (CSU) system no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses. If admitted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses.

California State University, Bakersfield is not using the CSU multi-factor admissions review process for general admissions to the university.

For Freshman applicants who did not meet the CSU admissions requirements, please consider joining our Transfer Success Pathways Program. Transfer Success Pathways is the California State University's new and comprehensive dual admission program with the California Community Colleges. The program will create a more efficient and accessible way for high school graduates to transfer to the CSU. For additional information on our TSP program, visit our website here. 

Transfer Requirements 

To be considered for transfer admission you must meet the following minimum requirements by the end of the Spring term for Fall admission, and by the end of the Summer term for Spring admission:

  • Complete 60 transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units
  • Complete with a grade of 'C-' or better the Golden 4 requirements of  
    • Oral Communication 
    • Written Communication
    • Critical Thinking* and
    • Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
  • Have a minimum, overall college GPA of 2.00 or higher in all transferable college course work attempted for CA residents (non-residents of California must have a minimum GPA of 2.40)
  • Be in good standing at the last college or university attended in a regular session
  • Complete a minimum of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units in courses approved to meet CSU General Education (GE) requirements
  • Spring ONLY applicants must have completed or will complete admissions requirements by the end of the fall semester.

Please note the Critical Thinking course requirement is waived for Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Engineering Sciences majors.

CSUB will be open to Lower Division and Upper Division Transfer Fall 2024 Applicants.

Appeals Scenarios

We will accept admissions appeals for the following scenarios.

Should you wish to attend CSUB and feel you have extenuating circumstances that kept you from submitting your Intent to Enroll by the deadline, you may file an appeal to this decision. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions reserves the right to deny an appeal solely on the basis that the appeal was incomplete at the time of submission or not submitted within the specified timeframe. 

CSUB EXPECTS ALL STUDENTS TO MEET THE CSUB APPLICATION DEADLINES. IN SOME INSTANCES, APPEALS FOR SUBMITTING A LATE APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE CLOSE OF THE INITIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD. (CLOSING DATE FOR FALL – NOVEMBER 30TH AND SPRING – AUGUST 31ST).

Please submit the following items:

  • A letter clearly explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from applying during the filing period, and what steps the student will take to ensure success at CSUB despite not meeting the admissions deadlines.   
  • Unofficial copy of all test scores and/or college transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended to verify you meet admissions requirements.

*Failure to submit all transcripts and/or test scores may result in your appeal being denied.*

Once our offices receive your appeal, you should receive an email at the address provided on the appeal of your status within 45  business days. Approval to submit a late application does not imply that the student will be admitted, only that the application will be considered.

Please note if your appeal is approved, you will need to submit official test scores and/or transcripts from all previous colleges attended within 15 days of your approval notice. 

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all of the above documentation is provided as part of the appeal packet. Appeal requests that are submitted without all requested information may be denied on the basis that the appeal is incomplete.

*Appeal request of this type submitted after the deadline will be automatically denied.*

Our admissions requirements are in place to ensure that students are prepared to be successful at the university and we expect that all admitted students meet the minimum university admissions requirements by the posted deadline date. If you were denied admission to CSUB and would like the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to re-evaluate your application, please submit the following items:

  • The Admissions Appeal Form
  • A letter clearly explaining the basis of your request for an appeal, how you meet the admissions criteria, and what steps you will take to ensure success at CSUB despite not meeting the admissions requirements  
  • Copy of your receipt or confirmation that official transcripts and/or test scores have been requested to be sent to CSU Bakersfield Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    • This appeal does require that you submit official test scores and transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Send transcripts to incomingtranscipts@csub.edu.
    • We do require official test scores, score results will not be taken accepted from a college transcript

Please note: Applicants requesting a re-evaluation will need to have ALL official transcripts and test scores submitted for review, unofficial transcripts will NOT be considered or transcripts submitted with the appeal.  

Transfer students who are not in good standing at the last institution attended or who have an overall GPA below 2.00 (for non-residents of California below a GPA of 2.40) are not eligible for an admissions appeal.

First-time freshmen who have an overall GPA below 2.50 (for non-residents of California below a GPA of 3.00) are not eligible for an admissions appeal.

Applicants will receive communication via the email provided on the appeal form and/or may check their myCSUB portal for the status of their application. Be aware, reviews may take up to 45 business days to complete. Incomplete appeal packets will NOT be considered.

This appeal is for applicants whose application has been withdrawn and/or canceled for failure to adhere to the university deadlines, including submission of Intent to Enroll. CSUB expects all students to adhere to the established deadlines related to the enrollment process.

Please submit the following items:

  • The Admissions Appeal Form
  • A letter clearly explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from adhering to the university deadlines and what steps you will take to ensure success at CSUB despite not meeting the admissions deadlines 
  • Copy of your receipt or confirmation that official transcripts and/or test scores have been requested to be sent to CSU Bakersfield Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    • This appeal does require that you submit official test scores and transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Send transcripts to incomingtranscipts@csub.edu.

Please note: Applicants requesting to have their application reconsidered will need to have ALL official transcripts and test scores must be submitted for review and validation before your appeal will be considered, unofficial transcripts will not be considered.

Applicants will receive communication via the email provided on the appeal form and/or may check their myCSUB portal for the status of their application. Be aware, reviews may take up to 45 business days to complete. Incomplete appeal packets will NOT be considered.

This appeal is for applicants who failed to submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended and/or test scores by the posted deadline.  CSUB expects all students to adhere to the established deadlines related to the enrollment process. 

Please note you must submit official transcripts for your appeal to be considered. 

Please submit the following items:

  • The Admissions Appeal Form
  • A letter clearly explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from adhering to the university dates and deadlines, and what steps the student will take to ensure success at CSUB despite not meeting the admissions requirements  
  • Copy of your receipt or confirmation that official transcripts and/or test scores have been requested to be sent to CSU Bakersfield Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    • This appeal does require that you submit official test scores and transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Send transcripts to incomingtranscipts@csub.edu.

Please note: Applicants requesting to have their application reconsidered will need to have ALL OFFICIAL transcripts and test scores submitted for review and validation before their appeal will be considered, unofficial transcripts will not be considered.

Applicants will receive communication via the email provided on the appeal form and/or may check their myCSUB portal for the status of their application. Be aware, reviews may take up to 45 business days to complete. Incomplete appeal packets will NOT be considered.

 

Transcript Request (Parchment)