I'm looking at Cal State San Bernardino for next fall. Does anyone know how competitive their acceptance rate is? Any advice for making my app more attractive to them?
Cal State San Bernardino is considered moderately selective in their admission process. According to recent data, the acceptance rate is about 91%, which signals that the majority of applicants are granted admission. However, don't let these statistics mislead you into thinking admission is guaranteed. The applicant pool may vary in competitiveness from year to year.
When it comes to making your application more attractive, without considering test scores (as CSU San Bernardino is test-blind), there are several key factors to focus upon. California residents must have a minimum of 2.50 GPA, while non-residents must have a minimum of 3.00 GPA. The average freshman admitted has a GPA of 3.34; it's advisable to aim for this or higher.
Next, CSU San Bernardino, like other campuses in the California State University system, heavily emphasizes academic readiness in Math and English. This is evaluated based on college preparatory high school courses, grades received in these courses, and other educational experiences that speak to your readiness.
Your extracurricular involvement can also provide an edge. Depth and continuity in a few activities often weighs more heavily than scattered involvement in many. Pursue those in which you have genuine interest and in which you can possibly take up leadership roles. Refer to the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars to understand how impactful your activities might be.
Lastly, keep in mind that favorable letters of recommendation and a compelling essay (if required or optional components) can also boost your application. Choose recommenders who really know you and can speak to your growth and potential, and for the essay, opt for a personal narrative that genuinely expresses who you are, what you’ve learned from your experiences, and how you’ve grown.
Good luck with your application!
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