Admission Appeals Process

SDSU is impacted at the undergraduate level in all majors and programs and as such, we are unable to accept all CSU-eligible applicants for admission. Each year there are more applicants seeking admission to SDSU than there are spaces available. The admissions process is highly selective and applicants must meet criteria that are over and above the minimum established by the CSU.

The appeals process is only for applicants who have a serious and compelling reason that occurred during the application time period, e.g. hospitalization, military service obligations or other extenuating factor(s) you wish for the committee to consider. Approval of appeals are limited and subject to admission eligibility requirements and space availability in a requested program.

Submitting an Appeal

To submit an appeal, carefully read and follow the steps below. Only complete appeals will be considered. If you have questions regarding the appeals process, please contact the Office of Admissions.

  1. Prepare documentation. To have an appeal processed, you must submit ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE to include:
    • The Admissions Appeal Request: download PDF, complete, and save the form as "SDSU Appeal, your last name, RedID". For example, "SDSU Appeal Smith 123456789".
    • One-page letter of appeal (Word or PDF document) detailing your extenuating circumstance (e.g. hospitalization, military service, personal crisis). Please save your letter as "SDSU Appeal Letter, your last name, RedID". For example, "SDSU Appeal Letter Smith 123456789".
    • Supporting documentation that substantiates your appeal. You must document your extenuating circumstance using the information outlined below, including documentation of hospitalization, military service, personal crisis.
  2. Submit your appeal. Submit your appeal by sending an email to [email protected].
  3. Allow time for processing. It may take more than twelve weeks for an appeal decision.
  4. Receive the decision by email. Applicants will be notified of appeals decision by email using the email address on file in my.SDSU. Make sure your email address is correct by reviewing your personal information under the Profile tile.

Appeals and Documentation

First-Year:

  1. Official high school transcript and college transcript (if applicable) issued by the school within the last two weeks. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or grades (if available) for fall 2023 and a statement indicating courses that you are enrolled or plan to enroll for spring 2024.

Transfer students:

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Review the Transcripts web page for more information on ordering transcripts for SDSU.
  2. Official Advanced Placement exam scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts if applicable. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  3. Military documents if applicable (DD214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force transcript).

Copy of credit card statement, canceled check front and back, or money order receipt that indicates payment to SDSU was made by the deadline.

A letter from the college, university, or agency verifying the date transcripts, documents, or scores were sent by the deadline, or a statement indicating their inability to send them by the deadline.

You must submit:

  1. Letter of acceptance to a military program that requires you to enroll at SDSU as a lower division transfer student.
  2. Official high school transcript issued by the school within the past two weeks. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. Review the Transcripts web page for more information on ordering transcripts for SDSU. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  4. Official Advanced Placement exam scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts if applicable. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  5. Military documents if applicable (DD214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force transcript).

Documentation that supports your claim of your inability to submit the online Intent to Enroll by the deadline.

Medical documentation or military orders that prevent you from attending the semester to which you applied.

First-Years:

  1. Official high school transcript and college transcript (if applicable) issued by the school within the last two weeks. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.

Transfer students:

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Review the Transcripts web page for more information on ordering transcripts for SDSU.
  2. Official enrollment verification of courses enrolled, or course grades (if available) for spring 2024.
  3. Official Advanced Placement exam scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts if applicable. Review Transcript and Test Score Instructions below.
  4. Military documents if applicable (DD214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force transcript).

Additional official transcripts or documents that were not previously submitted to the Office of Admissions.

Transcript and Test Score Instructions

The following transcripts must be submitted within two weeks of you submitting your appeal:

  • First-year and lower-division transfer applicants: Transcripts are required from all high schools attended, plus from all colleges you previously and/or currently attend even if you withdrew from the course(s) or the course(s) is not applicable to your degree.
  • Upper-division transfer applicants: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended issued by the school within the past two weeks. For colleges/universities that provide an option to send transcripts either electronically or by mail, electronic is preferred. Review the Transcripts web page for more information on ordering transcripts for SDSU.

Advanced Placement (AP) Test Scores

Advanced Placement exam score reports and passing scores are required in order to obtain college credit for the AP exam. To obtain your AP test scores, visit the AP Tests website.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Test Scores

International Baccalaureate exam score reports and passing scores are required in order to obtain college credit for the IB exam. To obtain IB test scores and additional information, visit the International Baccalaureate website.