The California State University (CSU) application is straightforward. Still, consider this list of background information and tips while navigating through the CSU application:
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Similar to the UC system, the CSU application has a single application system for ALL 23 CSU campuses. Students need the following to apply:
In the application portal, scroll down to locate the “Select a Term to Apply For” drop-down menu and choose “Fall 2025.”
As students create their accounts, they will answer a few questions about what type of application they plan to submit. All freshman applicants should select First Bachelor’s Degree, then Graduating High School Senior or equivalent for their educational status. If applicable, students should specify if they are taking or have taken college courses. 
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Once students create their accounts, they will be taken to the landing page for all schools and their respective majors. Utilize the search engine at the top of the page to filter campuses and/or majors/programs.
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After adding respective schools and majors/programs, students will have to complete four major sections:
Personal Information: This is similar to the Profile section that you complete for the Common Application or the UC application, where you provide Biographic, Contact, Citizenship, Race & Ethnicity, Parent/Guardian, Financial and Parental, and Other information.
Academic History: This is where students will spend the majority of their time completing this application- importing coursework from all high schools (and possibly colleges) that they have attended. Students who have a California Colleges account can easily link their high school and coursework. Students in California can also use this A-G Course List search tool to find a list of the classes their school has offered over the years and what A-G requirement they fall under. Applicants who attended a non-California high school or if their courses are not on the UC A-G list, will not see their courses in the search and need to manually type in the courses. They will need to manually match their courses to meet the A-G requirements in the A-G matching section as well. Tip: Make sure to have unofficial/official transcripts from secondary schools to add any courses that have fulfilled your A-G requirements. Students must indicate the course name (which now indicates which A-G requirement it fulfills), the level of the course (Honors, AP, IB, or None/Regular), and grades across both semesters.
Supporting Information: This section is not really applicable unless you are applying to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
Program Materials: Depending on the campus and major/program chosen, there may be items to read and respond to in the Program Materials section.
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Validation.
What is Validation? The CSU admissions allow for a certain amount of flexibility when evaluating whether a student has completed a particular subject and gained the requirements necessary to enter college. Course validation allows students to get full credit for courses that they may not have passed or have not taken, by demonstrating achievement in subsequent, higher-level courses. 
(Note: Subject validation only applies to completion of subject year requirements in areas A-G. Grades below a C- must still be reported, as they may be included in the GPA calculation.)
- CSU Validation applies to: Math, Language Other Than English (LOTE), and Chemistry.
- Math: C- or better in the 2nd semester validates the first semester of any math course (validation by grade deficiency); C- or better in the second semester of a sequential Math course validates the prior year (validation by subjection omission e.g. Algebra I & Algebra II); C- or better in the second semester of an Advanced Math course validates the entire three-year subject requirement (Advanced Math courses are designated here)
- Language Other Than English (LOTE): A C- or better in the second semester validates the first semester (validation by grade deficiency), C- or better in the second semester of a second year or higher of a foreign language will validate the entire two-year subject requirement (validation by subject omission)
- Chemistry: C- or better in the 2nd semester of Chemistry validates the first semester.
The last step is to do a Submission Review and double-check that all your information is accurate. Here is a Freshman Application Guide provided by the CSU system for your reference. Remember to address any “Warning Review” that the application portal may present to you.
Congrats on making it this far in completing your CSU application!