What are my chances of getting into CSULA?

I’m a senior in high school and applying for college in the fall. My dream school is Cal State LA. I just went to a Campus Tour yesterday and I’m even more in love with the school. I know getting your hopes up isn’t the right thing to do but I honestly cannot help it. My CSU GPA is 3.643. I’m not sure if that is the one they use to admit you but let me know if it’s a different one and I’ll provide that . I’m a California resident and I live in LA. I have not done any sports/extra-curricular activities/or clubs. I’m in a Gifted Stem Magnet Program though, so maybe that counts??? I have taken 4 AP classes in total and have been in Honors since I was in 9th grade. However, I failed the second semester of algebra 2 in 10th grade, but retook the whole class again as an honors class in 11th grade. I checked in with CSULA about the Fail and they said it counts as meeting the minimum requirement for the A-G math section by retaking Algebra 2, but since the first class wasn’t an Honors and the second class was, they won’t be able to count the Honors, but oh well. I took the ACT and got a score of 16 (I know, very low). SAT scores are not out yet…I’m not sure if I did so well though. Overall, what do you think my chances are of getting into Cal State La?

CSUs tend to de-emphasize standardized test scores when making admissions decisions. With that being said, I think you will get into CSULA. Try to aim for higher test scores if you can, but if you can’t, it’s fine. Good luck!

By the way, I plan to be a nursing major

PS: not applying to CSULA’s Nursing School itself until my sophomore year in college, just the way it goes

You have a good GPA, but ACT is worrying considering you want to pursue a Nursing degree. The nursing pre-requ’s especially the science courses (Chemistry/Micro/Anatomy/Physiology) will be tough if you are not a strong test taker. What were your sub scores on the ACT? Did you do any ACT or SAT prep?

All CSU’s will admit by Eligibility index (CSU GPA x200) + (ACT comp x10). Your EI at the moment is 888. Definitely a solid EI for CSULA but you have indicated in other posts you are also interested in direct admit programs. This score will not get you into any direct admit programs. You need to bump up the ACT to around 28+ or an SAT score of 1300 for a chance at the direct admit programs.

Human Anatomy and Physiology – I and II -Fundamentals of Chemistry
*Critical Thinking course
-English 101
-Statistics
-Microbiology
-Public Speaking or Oral Communication

Repost with your SAT score once you get the results and Good Luck.

To be completely honest, I wouldn’t be so upset if I didn’t get into a direct entry nursing program. I’m a dedicated and commited student and I know I wouldn’t slack off in pre-nursing. Anyways, so what you’re saying is that due to my ACT score, CSULA may not accept me as a nursing/pre-nursing major???

You will get into CSULA, you may not get into the Undeclared major with an interest in Nursing.

See below and I emphasize “eligible”. They do not state what level of stats are required to be eligible, but it is an impacted program/major, so higher stats are needed. You can always pick another major and still take the pre-req’s.

First-Time Freshmen
o Applicants wishing to major in Nursing should select Nursing (Freshmen) on their CSU Mentor
application; and if eligible, they will be admitted to the University as Undeclared majors with an
interest in Nursing.
o Once admitted and enrolled in the University, students are eligible to apply to the School of Nursing
for the Nursing major, once they meet the supplemental program admission requirements as outlined in the Basic Nursing BS (BSN-Basic) admission application, available at www.calstatela.edu/academic/hhs/nursing/BSN_B_adm.php

Can my other major be Undeclared and still be able to take nursing pre reqs? Or do I have to pick something specific

If Undeclared is an option on the CSU Mentor application, yes you can select it. Most schools give priority scheduling for classes in a particular major, so the Undeclared with an Interest in Nursing may have first chance at the Nursing Pre-req’s. Definitely worth an email to admissions or the Nursing school.

Have you considered going private? University of San Francisco (USF) has an awesome direct entry nursing program. If you bring your ACT up to a 28+, I think you would have good chances of getting in.

Apply to your local CSU. Maybe look into other majors. Nursing requires a passion to excel, so make sure it is really something you want to do.

You are very likely to be admitted to CSULA with those stats. Your ACT suggests they may have you take some remedial math and English but, there is a separate placement test you can take after you’ve been admitted.

I agree, you should apply undeclared and see where that takes you.