Do I have to take SAT to apply

I plan on applying to SOnoma State. It’s about 20 miles from my hometown. I am a Jr in high school and my GPA is 3.78. Do I have to take the SAT for admission?

They accept either the SAT or ACT and yes you need one or other to apply.

All Cal States (except SLO) admit by major and eligibility index.

The “eligibility index” is a calculation based upon your high school grade point average and your test scores.

Sonoma State can use either the ACT or the SAT. If you take both tests, or take a particular test more than once, we will use the highest test scores for each area. At this time, the California State University does not use the writing/essay scores from either the SAT or ACT

The high school grade point average is based on courses taken during 10th through 12th grades which are “college preparatory.”

Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in 11th and 12th grades with grades of C or higher are awarded an extra grade point.

Local Service Area

Preference is given to students within SSU’s local service area which encompasses the following counties: Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, Solano and Mendocino

Calculating Your Eligibility Index

Your index is a combination of your test scores and the above GPA. In order to calculate, use the following equations for either SAT or ACT scores.

Using SAT Reasoning Test scores (math and critical reading only):
(Your GPA x 800) + (Your SAT Reasoning Test total) = Your Index
Example (3.2 GPA x 800) + (550+560=1110 SAT) = 3670 Index
Using ACT composite score:
(Your GPA x 200) + (10 x ACT Composite) = Your Index
Example (3.2 GPA x 200) + (10 x 24) = 880 Index
First Time Freshmen students who graduate from a high school located in Sonoma State’s local service area are eligible for review at the minimum CSU eligibility index of 2950 for SAT and 694 for ACT starting for the Fall 2018 school year. SSU’s Local Admission Area for First Time Freshmen Students includes high schools located in the following counties: Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino.

We will have an increased eligibility index (from the traditional CSU minimum eligibility index of a 2950 for SAT and 694 for ACT) for students outside of our local admission area and for impacted majors. Applicants will be “rank ordered” by eligibility index. Admission offers will be made in descending order until the freshmen class is full. We will not know the final index cut off until we are able to review the characteristics of the entire applicant pool.

ACT or SAT required but, with your GPA, you wont need a stand out score. I’d encourage you to take one soon without much prep and see how it goes. If you don’t do well enough, you’ll have plenty of time to develop a study plan or take the other.