FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN: How and When to Apply
Are you a First-Time Freshman? You are a potential First-Time Freshman if you are currently in high school, with or without completed college work; or you have graduated from high school and have not completed any college coursework after high school graduation.
Notice of Impaction
Notice is hereby given that Sonoma State University intends to declare impaction in the degree program Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies beginning with the 2013-2014 Academic Year at both the freshman and transfer levels. The criteria for impaction, and information regarding three public hearings concerning said impaction, can be viewed at Fall 2013 Impacted Majors
Freshman Fall Application Period
- Electronic applications are accepted October 1st. The electronic application can be accessed from CSUMentor.
- First-time Freshmen filing period: October 1 - November 30.
- Check for updates! For up-to-the-minute information regarding application filing periods, go to the Application Deadlines page.
- Application notification begins on December 15 and is provided on a rolling basis.
- All First-time Freshman applicants will be notified of our admission decision by March 30th. Enrollment Reservation Deposits are accepted on a first-come first-served basis until we reach capacity
Freshman Spring Application Filing Period
- Check for updates! For up-to-the-minute information regarding application filing periods, go to the Application Deadlines page.
- Application notification begins on September 15 and is provided on a rolling basis. (Note; we currently are not accepting first-time freshman applications for spring.)
- Your letter of admission will tell you when your Enrollment Reservation Deposit is due.
The Application Process
Admission to Sonoma State University is competitive since we receive more applications than we can accommodate. Under special provisions approved by the California State University, Sonoma State University utilizes a combination of the undergraduate admissions requirements outlined in the Basic California State University Admissions Requirements.
Supplementary admissions criteria for first-time freshmen include, but are not limited to, high school grade point averages, test scores (SAT I or ACT), and high school course preparation.
In order to be considered for admission, you must file a complete undergraduate application, which can be found in the undergraduate admission booklet. The $55 nonrefundable application fee should be in the form of a check or money order payable to The California State University and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. You should indicate an alternative major.
Sonoma State University is a selective admissions campus. Therefore it is important to apply during the designated applications periods. Wherever possible, we admit students on a rolling basis upon completion of an admissions file. So early application and prompt response to requests for application support documents will speed your admissions notification.
Determination and Notification of Admission: After applications for admission have been received in the Office of Admissions and Records, they are processed and matched with required transcripts and test scores. Evaluation of the records is made to determine whether applicants meet the admissions requirements. Applicants who have submitted all of the required admission materials will receive notification of their acceptance or denial from the Office of Admissions and Records for the fall semester beginning on or about September 15th and for the spring semester on or about December 15th.