Hey y'all! Applying next year, and I'm sorta interested in Cal State Long Beach. Hoping to know the overall acceptance rate for it. Plus, do they focus more on GPA or extracurriculars?
Hello! Cal State Long Beach is a great school with a strong reputation. In recent admissions cycles, their acceptance rate was about 47%. However, keep in mind this can fluctuate each year based on the number and strength of applications they receive.
In terms of what they focus on, the Cal State system, including CSU Long Beach, weighs academic factors more heavily than extracurricular involvement. This is somewhat different from many selective private colleges which look extensively at both.
Cal State Long Beach, like the other schools in the CSU system, emphasizes your high school course rigor, GPA, and your academic preparation for your intended major. While extracurriculars, particularly those related to your intended major, can play a role in enhancing your application, they are not the main decision factor.
For instance, if you're applying to a theatre program, having extensive experience in theatre-based extracurriculars might bolster your application. Similarly, for a business program, experience in DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), or a similar extracurricular would likely be beneficial.
Remember, quality is more important than quantity. Being heavily involved in a few relevant activities usually looks better than lightly participating in many.
All said, your academic qualifications - specifically GPA - are the most critical aspect of your application. I hope this insight helps and best of luck on your application!
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