Prepare and Apply | How to Get to College

Important Dates

In early September, register for the October SAT or ACT.
In October and early November, update your information on CSUMentor and apply to campuses early! The deadline is November 30.
From January to March, get your financial aid information together and fill out the FAFSA. The deadline is March 2.
Between March and May, register for the CSU’s required placement exams, unless you are exempt.
In late spring, be prepared to take Advanced Placement exams if you are enrolled in AP classes. Passing these exams can earn you college credit!

Explore Campuses

Picture yourself at a
CSU—Explore a campus!

CSUMentor has many helpful features for college seniors, including:

An online application to apply to any of the CSU’s 23 campuses statewide
An application filing status report to find out which campuses are accepting applications for a specific term
A campus matching assistant to help you find out which campuses meet your criteria for college
A comparative view of campuses to help you select campuses and programs suited to your needs
Campus facts—Campus profiles with photos, links and videos
Assistance in completing the primary financial aid application for college-bound students

Visit CSUMentor today and submit your application early! The deadline is November 30.

Videos

Not ready yet?

What if I’m not ready to attend a CSU?

If you didn’t take the classes you need, get the best grades in high school or have the financial aid you need, you may not be ready to apply to the CSU.

California Community Colleges provide students the opportunity to take the classes they need and work toward obtaining an associate’s degree.

Students can then transfer to a California State University campus to complete their bachelor’s degree. For the most up-to-date information on what it takes, check out our student transfer website