When to Apply for Admission

We strongly encourage you to file your application as early as possible within the filing period. Generally, the earlier you file your application, the greater the opportunity for you to gain admission to the CSU campus of choice.

There are two periods to file your application to most campuses in the CSU: the priority filing period and the later filing period.

The priority filing period for every fall term, either semester or quarter, is October 1 to November 30 of the preceding year. During this period, all CSU campuses accept applications for all majors. All applications filed during the priority filing period are given equal consideration for admission. After the priority application period, a campus may stop accepting applications at any time. Campuses may close applications to particular majors, class level, or entirely, often with very little notice. So you are strongly encouraged to file your application during the priority filing period.

The priority filing period for other terms, spring semester and quarter, winter quarter, and summer quarter, are one month long. After the priority period ends, the actual date on which campuses receive your application can make a difference.

The best advice is to file your application during the priority filing period for the term you wish to attend.

Alert: If you are applying to a high-demand campus or impacted major, you must apply during the priority filing period.