California State University San Marcos offers rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs distinguished by exemplary teaching, innovative curricula, and the application of new technologies. California State University San Marcos focuses on the student as an active participant in the learning process. CSUSM provides a range of services that respond to the needs of a student body with diverse backgrounds, expanding student access to an excellent and affordable education.  Besides, CSUSM grounds its mission in the public trust, alignment with regional needs, and sustained enrichment of the intellectual, civic, economic, and cultural life of our region and state.

Admission
A prospective student who has never attended a college or university after the summer following high school graduation is called first time freshman applicant. First-time freshman applicants are determined to be CSU-eligible if they meet the following criteria:
-    are or will be a high school graduate or completed a GED;
-    meet the CSU admissions eligibility index based upon GPA in college preparatory classes and scores from the ACT or SAT Reasoning exam;
-    have completed required courses with grades of "C" or higher in "college-preparatory subjects":
•    English (four years)
•    U.S. History and Social Science (two years)
•    Mathematics (three years including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
•    Language Other Than English (two years in the same language)
•    Laboratory Science (biological science and physical science with laboratories)
•    College Preparatory Elective (one year)
•    Visual and Performing Arts (one year)

Financial Aid
At California State University San Marcos makes education an affordable reality through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

Career Services
The CSUSM Career Center offers a variety of services to assist you after graduation. All services are available to you for 3-months after graduation. The CSUSM Career Center can help you with:
-    Career and major exploration through self-assessment and decision making exercises;
-    Developing job search strategies;
-    Interviewing skills through Mock Interviews;
-    Skills such as letter writing, resume writing, networking;
-    Salary and benefit negotiation, etc.