Do's and Don’ts for Filling Out an Admissions Application

With just 22 days left in the fall 2013 application period we're been getting lots of phone calls with questions about how to apply.  I've collected some of the most common questions and answered them here to help others who might encounter the same issues.

1.  Where is the CSU Application located?  The CSU general application is located at csumentor.edu.  You can submit all your CSU applications via one site. 


Where to find the Admission Application.

 

2.   I want to apply for fall 2013.  Where do I go?  Applications have to be submitted a year in advance.  To attend Chico State for fall 2013, you actually have to apply in the fall 2012.  See the screen shot below.  The fall 2013 application deadline is November 30th.  

 

Make sure to select the right application period.



 3.  If I'm a transfer student, what's my entry status?  We're not accepting lower division transfer students currently, so if you list that you have less than 60 units you will not be able to submit your application.  Indicate that you will have 60 transferable units or more by the time of entry or reentry into CSU Chico.  You can include units that are in progress and planned.

 

Transfer students and first-time freshmen have different entry statuses.

3a.  I'm a high school student, what's my entry status?  High school students are either "graduating seniors with no college credit" or "graduating seniors with college credit" (including AP, IB).  Never indicate that you are a transfer student, even if you'll have an associates degree when you graduate high school.  Note that you can save your application and come back to it later if you save it before you log off. 

 



If you do not fall into any of the independent categories you are a dependent student.  

4.  I'm over 18.  Can I consider myself an independent student?  Technically-students are not considered independent until they are:

A graduate student

Married or registered with the California Secretary of State as a domestic partner

Have dependents other than a spouse

A foster youth, orphan, or ward of the court

A veteran or active duty member of the U.S. armed services

If you don't fall into any of these categories then you are a dependent student and should report your parent's income information on the application.  This information will be used to determine if you are eligible for the fee waiver.

No scores yet?  Indicate when you plan to take them.

5.  I'm a high school student and I won't have my test scores before November 30th.  What should I put on the application?  If you don't have SAT or ACT Tests before the November 30th submission deadline, just indicate  the month and year you intend to take the test.  Remember December 2012 is the last month to test for admission. 


               Red messages mean something is wrong.

6.  I keep getting these red messages and I can't move on in the application.  What's going on?  Red messages are triggered when information has been entered incorrectly or information is missing.  If you're sure you've entered information correctly and the red message is still appearing, just check the red box and move forward to the next section of the application or call the Office of Admissions for help.

Transfer students must list their GPA and all previous institutions attended.

7. I'm a transfer student and I'm not sure about my GPA.  Can I leave that area blank?  No, GPA must be listed.  The application won't submit with your transfer GPA.  Also make sure to include all the previous colleges you attended.



Transfer students must include their "Golden Four" courses. 

8. If I'm a transfer student do I have to list all the classes I took in high school?  No, the only high school information we require is the name of your high school and the date of your high school graduation.  The only coursework we need to see is what you're currently enrolled in or plan to take in spring.  However, it is super important to list your "Golden Four" courses for admission.

 

9.  I'm a high school student and I re-took a class.  Do I have to list the bad grade that I made up? No, high school students can list their new and improved grade.

 

10.  How do I make sure I submitted my application?  Students have to sign the application and indicate how they are going to pay the $55 dollar application fee if they are not eligible for the fee waiver.

 

Ready to submit? Click the link!



The CSU application submission page.



Once you sign the application and indicate your payment method, you can submit the application at the bottom of the page.  If you have truly submitted your application, you'll see it in the application manager. 



If you submitted your application it will show up here.





 If you don't see an application on file, something went wrong and you'll need to go back and resubmit.  You'll also be issued a confirmation document immediately after submission that you should print out and keep for your records. 

 

I hope that was helpful for you! The CSU Mentor website has a helpful tutorial available and written instructions for both Freshmen and Transfer applicants.  They have also provided technical support pages and contact information if you need further help.  Good luck and remember the last day to apply is November 30th!  Don't wait till the last minute!

Ready, Set, Fall 2013!

While it may still feel like summer outside, the fact is that fall is just around the corner and that means the fall 2013 application period is about to begin.  The CSU Mentor application will open on October 1, 2012 and will close on November 30, 2012 for both first-time freshman and transfer applicants.

So what can freshmen do to prepare?

• Sign up now to take an SAT or ACT test by December.  December is the last test date our office will accept.  Students should try to test more than once if they can.   Studies show that students generally do better on tests the second time around.   I recommend taking both the SAT and the ACT.  It's always wise to maximize your chances of doing well.

• Make sure your A-G requirements  will be complete by the end of the senior year.  If you need to make up courses make sure you talk to your high school counselor as soon as possible to discuss what your options are.  Students aren't allowed to make up courses the summer after high school graduation for admission purposes.

• Visit Chico State on October 20th for Chico Preview Day.  Campus is open to the public and it's a great time to check out our beautiful location, explore our housing facilities and talk to faculty about majors.  We have tours available every day, but Preview Day is pretty amazing.  Register here.

• After the regular admission application has been submitted, you can fill out the Educational Opportunity Program application by November 30th. Our scholarship application will also open in October and will close on December 15th. 

What can transfer students do to prepare?

• Talk to your transfer counselor to make sure you will have 60 transferable units or 90 quarter units completed by the end of the spring semester.  No summer course work is allowed to meet your unit quota.

• Have you completed the "Golden Four" admission requirement?  College level Math, English, Critical Thinking and Speech courses must be done by the end of the spring semester.  Unless you're an engineering major, there are no exceptions to this requirement.

• Transfer students should also visit campus on October 2oth for Chico Preview day.  We have transfer student focused panels and our financial aid and housing offices will be on hand to answer all your questions.  Register here.

• After the regular admission appliction has been submitted, you can fill out  Educational Opportunity Program application by November 30th.  Our scholarship application will also open in October and will close on December 15th. 

 Remember that waiting till the last minute to do anything is a bad idea.  Be smart about preparing and your fall application period will go so much more smoothly!    I hope to see you at Chico Preview Day!

Educational Opportunity Program: A Family Away From Home

The best mentor group ever!  Top row, left to right: Lorenzo, Fidel, and Marivel.
 Front row: Diana, Carolina, Houa, and Rebecca.

Universities can sometimes feel like big, impersonal places, and  it's easy to get lost in the crowd when you're one of many students.  Just as great majors and amazing professors are a part of a quality education, great friendships and lots of support ensures that your first year at university will be off to a strong start. 

One way Chico State tries to help its new students thrive is though it's Educational Opportunity Program.  EOP has a lot of really practical ways of helping students adjust to university life.   For example, there's the Summer Bridge residential program.  Summer Bridge is held a few weeks before the beginning of classes.  Students come to Chico State early and get a jump start on making friends, meeting faculty and staff, all while taking workshops that teach them how to be an on-point college student.  Students can access a lot of other services throughout the year as well. Tutoring, workshops and socials are all part of the EOP experiance.   Best of all, EOP staff genuinely care about you as an individual and work hard to support you through the beginning, middle and end of your college experience.

How do can you become an EOP student? You have to apply!  Students must submit the regular fall application for admission during the October 1st- November 30th period. Then students must fill out the EOP application. This absolutely has to be done by the November 30th deadline!   If you don't turn in both applications you won't be considered as a candidate for EOP.   In order to qualify for EOP, students have to meet specific criteria and submit two letters of recommendation and an autobiographical essay.
 

Building a strong foundation.  Bottom row, left to right Jasmin, Fidel, Marivel and Lorenzo.  Top row: Rebecca, Carolina and Houa. 

 It's definitely a lot more work to become an EOP student, but the skills you learn and relationships you build are so worth the extra effort!  For many students EOP has become a central part of their college experience and their "family" away from home.  Do you want to be on the fast track to amazing friendships and success?  Explore the Educational Opportunity Program at Chico State! 

What's Happening Spring 2013?

We now have the final word on the spring 2013 application for admission.  We will accept applications during the filling period of August 1-31, 2012 from students who satisfy one or more of the following criteria: 1.  Applicants who complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T), made possible by the passing of Senate Bill 1440.  This special degree program is available for a select group of majors deemed similar at community colleges throughout California.  Degrees must be verified by October 15, 2012 by the participating community college. OR 2.  Applicants who are fully eligible, upper division transfer students with 30 or more units from one or more of the following local community colleges:  Butte, Feather River, Lassen, Shasta, Siskiyous and/or Yuba.  (Additional criteria must be met.)   For complete application filing details and criteria, please visit our website.

What Should You Be Doing Now?

It's summer!  You've been admitted to Chico State!  You can relax now, right?  Don't pick up that bottle of sun screen quite yet.  There are some very, very important tasks that admitted students need to complete before classes begin on August 27th.  Let's make sure you can check them off your list.
 

Transfer students, have you . . .

Requested final transcripts from all previously attended institutions to be sent to the Chico State Admissions Office?  Our address is 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0722.  All outstanding documents must be in our office by July 14th.   

Signed up for an orientation?  Orientation is a new student's first chance to register for classes.  Orientation isn't mandatory, but if students don't attend they'll have to wait till July 23rd to register. 

Made housing plans?  The Chico housing application is still open, but at this point students should check out alternative housing options here and here since on-campus housing is looking less likely this late in the year.

First Time Freshmen, have you. . .

Requested final transcripts from your high school to be sent to the Chico State Admissions Office?  Our address is 400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0722.  All outstanding documents, including test scores must be in our office by July 14th. 

Taken an English Placement Test (EPT) and/or Entry Level Math (ELM) test if you were not otherwise exempted through EAP, SAT, ACT or AP test scores?  You should take placement tests ASAP if you are required to.  If students show up to orientation without test scores on file they won't be able to register for classes!  Danger, danger future Wildcat!

Completed your Early Start registration? If you scored less than 50 on the Entry Level Math test and/or less than 138 on the English Placement Test it's absolutely essential that you register for an Early Start experience.  The website csusuccess.org can give you an idea of what classes are available.  You'll be contacted by the campus where you've elected to take your Early Start classes with further registration information. 

Signed up for an orientation? Orientation is a new student's first chance to register for classes.  Orientation isn't mandatory, but if students don't attend they'll have to wait till July 23rd to register.  If you still have to take an EPT or ELM test, sign up for an orientation after your test scores are scheduled to arrive. 

Made housing plans?  The Chico housing application is still open, but at this point students should check out alternative housing options here and here since on-campus housing is looking less likely this late in the year. 

The Secrets of Successful Transfer Students

itsginabit*h11

Transfer students make up a good portion of our student population each year.   Last year Chico State admitted 3,306 transfer students alone.   As an insider to the admission process, I wanted to share some strategies I wish more students would employ to avoid disappointments and delays when trying to transfer.  

1.    Successful transfer students understand what classes they need to take.   Not all community college courses are transferable.  I’ve seen students fail to grasp this essential fact over and over again.  Working with your community college transfer center, a community college counselor and assist.org will help clarify the difference between transferable and non-transferable courses. 

2.    Successful transfer students leverage all their resources.  I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get help when you need it.  Community colleges are busy and very crowded places.  Students need to learn to self-advocate, to ask questions and be persistent.  Does your campus have cross enrollment programs?  Can you join EOPS?  What programs are available to help students be successful?  Find out and join up, you won’t regret it. 

3.    Successful transfer students understand the application process clearly.  It’s important to connect early on with the university you want to transfer to.  I’ve witnessed a lot of confusion about admission requirements.   How many units do you need to complete?   Does having an AA or an AS guarantee admission?  Does your transfer campus require you to complete lower division major requirements as part of admission?  Students need to find out directly from the source.   If you want the bottom line, ask admission representatives what will keep you out of their university. 

4.    Successful transfer students know grades matter. Transfer admission in an era of budget cuts is becoming an increasingly competitive.   Students with lower GPA’s are finding it more difficult to transfer.  If a campus requires a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to transfer, a 1.98 GPA will not cut it.   Often campuses look at cumulative GPAs; a bad semester will follow you wherever you go.   Start strong, and finish strong academically.  
  

5.    Successful transfer students read university e-mails frequently and take deadlines seriously.  It’s common for Chico State to get over 22,000 applications in a year.   If a student does not respond to a request, pay a fee, or submit a transcript, chances are they won’t be an applicant for long.   The reality is that students who don’t follow through with deadlines make it easier for others to get admitted in their place.

Take it from me; successful transfer students are not passive.  They've learned their stuff and not only in an academic sense.  Do you have specific questions or topics you'd like to learn more about.  Feel free to ask in the comment or shoot me an email at chicoadmissioncounselor@gmail.com. 

Advice for Senior Applicants

One of the reasons I work in higher education is because I love helping students succeed.  Nothing makes me feel better than knowing that a student is thriving at Chico State.   While answering a ton of panicky phone calls on November 30th (the very last day of the fall 2012 application period), I thought to myself: “I wish I could help seniors avoid these pitfalls!”  Then I realized, I blog, I can totally do that!  So here are my helpful hints for seniors who've applied to Chico State.

1.  Never, ever wait till the last minute to submit anything!   We had over 2,000 applications submitted in one day for Chico State’s fall 2012 term.  If you multiply 2,000 by 23 campuses that's roughly over 40,000 students trying to apply at the same time.  If that isn’t a website crash waiting to happen I don’t know what is.   Really, for your sanity’s sake, don’t wait till the last minute. 

2.  Realize that submitting an application for admission is just a first step.   Your college process is not complete by a long shot.  There are going to be a lot of steps you’ll have to follow up with beyond the application:  submitting transcripts, an intent to enroll, testing, financial aid and housing are just some of the things admitted students will still have to complete.

3.  E-mail, e-mail, e-mail.   Most Universities are now communicating with students by e-mail or university portal accounts.  One of the first things you’ll be directed to do is create a portal account.  If you wait too long or neglect to do this, you will likely miss important deadlines that could result in your application being cancelled.  Chico State’s portal link can be found on our website.  Once you create your account, check it often. 

I’m not done here; there's lots more I'd like to share.  Look for part 2 of Advice to Senior Applicants.