The New CSU Admission System: Yay or Nay?

In October 2025, Governor Newsom passed Senate Bill 640 which allows CSUs to automatically admit qualified students starting Jan. 1, 2026. However, SFUSD won’t be a part of the program until 2027, when the entire state is eligible.

The CSUs partnered with Riverside County in 2024 to launch their first ever Direct Admissions Pilot. According to Cal State East Bay, qualified Riverside seniors who are on track with their A-G requirements, “are being offered immediate, conditional admission to CSU campuses.” The pilot program’s success led to thousands of higher education students across the 25 school districts in Riverside. 

Data given to, IHEP, by the CSUs (Institute of Higher Education Policy) suggest, “ an increase in the number of students from Riverside County who applied as first-time freshmen (15 percent), were admitted (9 percent), and committed (43 percent) compared to Fall 2024 numbers.” 

Students from the following 22 school districts including Coachella Valley, Moreno Valley, and Palm Spring Unified will have guaranteed enrollment to ten  of  the CSU campuses if a 2.5 GPA and the A-G requirements are met depending on capacity. 

According to KCR News, “Eligible students will receive letters notifying them of their conditional admission to CSU campuses with capacity. “The program is aimed to simplify the college application process, boost enrollment for enrollment declining CSU campuses, increase college access, and encourage college preparation. However students must complete the full Cal State Application to accept their offer. 

However CSUs such as Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona and San Luis Obispo, Cal State Long Beach, San Diego State, and San Jose State will not be a part of the Direct Admissions Program because of their competitiveness. 

The CSU Direct Admissions appears to be a great opportunity for all juniors on track to complete their A-G coursework because next year at this time they’ll be automatically offered admission to some CSUs.