How to Apply: Transfer Students

Before you start your transfer application, you should have an idea of what you’d like to major in at Cal State Monterey Bay. Take some time to explore our 80+ programs to see what’s right for you. If you’re coming directly from a two-year school, maybe you’ll want to build off your associate degree. Or, maybe you want to start fresh in a new area of study!

This section outlines criteria for lower division and upper division transfer students residing in California. 

Lower Division transfer students must meet the following requirements: 

• have achieved an overall college GPA of at least a 2.00. This GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted;
• be in good standing at the last college or university you attended. ("Good Standing" means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university);
• have completed (or will complete before the first term at CSUMB), with a grade of C- or better, a course in Written Communication (GE Section A2) and a course in Mathematics or Quantitative Reasoning (GE Section B4);
• have graduated from high school (received a high school diploma or General Education Development, or GED, certificate);
• have completed "a-g" course requirements in high school.

Upper Division transfer students must meet the following requirements: 

• have completed a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable coursework;
• have an overall college GPA of at least 2.00; your GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted;
• be in good standing at the last college or university attended. "Good standing" means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university;
• have completed general education courses (30 semester units or 45 quarter units) of basic skills courses, with a grade of C- or better, and specifically, four courses completed in the following areas below (in either section):
  • Area A - English Language Communication & Critical Thinking
    • A1: Oral Communication (Speech)
    • A2: Written Communication (English)
    • A3: Critical Thinking
  • Area B - Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning
    • B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
  • Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum* (IGETC)
    • Area 1 - English Communication
      • 1A: Written Communication (English)
      • 1B: Critical Thinking
      • 1C: Oral Communication (Speech)
    • Area 2 - Mathematical Concept & Quantitative Reasoning

Notes: 

• CSUMB accepts transferable coursework from regionally accredited institutions.
• All admission requirements must be completed before your first term at CSUMB. Admission is considered conditional until any in-progress coursework is satisfactorily completed and documented on official transcripts sent to CSUMB.
• CSUMB will accept "Credit" or "Pass" for all courses completed including courses taken to satisfy: the "Golden Four" (A1, A2, A3, and B4); all other General Education courses; and major prerequisite courses.
• CSUMB accepts transferable coursework from regionally accredited institutions.
• For Lower Division transfers:
  • California high school graduates or residents of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49, or non-California high school graduates or non-residents of California earning a GPA between 2.47and 2.99, will be evaluated based upon supplemental factors posted on the First Year Admissions webpage [link].
  • If you did not complete all the subject requirements in high school, appropriate college courses may be used to make up the missing subjects. One baccalaureate-level course of at least 3 semester (4 quarter) units is usually considered equivalent to one year of high school study. Non-California residents must meet the eligibility index for nonresidents.

• You may qualify for admission or earn credit toward your degree if you pass any of the following standardized external examinations:
  • College Board Advanced Placement Tests
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Please see our Credit by Exam page [link] to see detailed information about the passing scores, minimum units of credit earned, and certification area (for General Education Breadth and/or U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals) awarded for successful completion of standardized external exams.

To apply to CSUMB, you’ll first need to register for an account with The California State University centralized admissions website, Cal State Apply. Once your account is created, you can immediately begin your application for admission.

Create or Log in to Your Account

Begin your application through Cal State Apply; the website will guide you through the steps. Don’t worry; you can save your work and come back later.

You’ll start by selecting the term you wish to apply for, and then you’ll be able to select your campus and desired program. 

To get started, you should have the following information on hand: 

• Unofficial high school and college transcripts
• Social security number
• Citizenship status
• Annual family income
• Campus student ID number (for CCC-ADT students)
• Credit/debit card or PayPal account for $70 application fee

Download the Cal State Transfer Guide

Go to Cal State Apply

In addition to your application, you may be required to submit additional materials, such as official high school and college transcripts.

Transcripts

These are typically sent electronically directly from the school. If your school prefers to mail your transcripts, they can use this address: 

Office of Admissions
Cal State Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955-8001

Other Materials

Depending on which program you’re applying to, other materials may be requested.

Be sure to complete the online application and get in any supplemental materials by the deadline for your desired term. 

Once you submit your application through Cal State Apply, you will also receive instructions on how to access your CSUMB dashboard.

You’ll be able to check the status of your application at your CSUMB dashboard, as well as see a checklist of next steps. You will also receive updates and reminders about the process. 

Decisions are released on a rolling basis.

Students admitted to Cal State Monterey Bay — Future Otters! — will receive information about next steps, including financial aid, housing, and transfer orientation.

Visit Our Admitted Otters Page