Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or advice about the GPA requirements for the California State University system. Is there a range that they typically look for? And how do they look at weighted vs. unweighted GPAs? Just a bit stressed and trying to make sense of all this. Thanks in advance!
2 months agoThe California State University (CSU) system generally has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 for in-state applicants and 3.0 for out-of-state or international applicants. Bear in mind, this is a minimum, and the actual average GPA of admitted students can be higher, especially for more competitive campuses or programs.
CSUs calculate GPA based on a student's grades in "a-g" courses taken during the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The "a-g" courses are a series of high school courses in specific subject areas, like history, English, lab science, etc., required of all students seeking to meet CSU and University of California (UC) admission requirements. Therefore, they place more emphasis on your grades during the latter half of high school, often when you are taking more rigorous coursework.
CSUs also use a weighted GPA calculation. This means they will add extra points for any honors, AP, or IB courses you've taken. However, they cap the number of honors points one can receive to a total of 8 semesters, or 4 academic year courses.
Remember, grades are just one part of your application. CSUs also consider other factors like extracurriculars and leadership experiences. But given how important grades are, make sure to keep up your performance in your classes as best you can!
Last tip: you can calculate your CSU GPA using a CSU GPA calculator, usually found online, to keep a better track of where you stand. Just make sure to include only the grades from your "a-g" courses from 10th grade and beyond.
I hope this helps, and best of luck with your college applications!
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