Preparing to Qualify for the CSU

The requirements for entry into the CSU are designed to ensure that you are fully prepared to succeed in your academic pursuits when you arrive. For specific details about these requirements please refer to the CSUMentor web page.

Generally speaking, you can qualify for entrance to the CSU in the following ways:

1. High School achievement. With good grades in high school and suitable entrance-exam scores, you can qualify for enrollment at a CSU campus near you. If you are interested in a CSU campus that is outside of your local region, a higher combination of grade point average and test scores might be required.
2. Transfer from an accredited institution of higher learning, such as a community college, private postsecondary academy, and so on. Your grades and test scores will determine your eligility for transfer, as will the nature of the courses you take. Classes that lead to an associate degree or that are preapproved for transfer to a CSU campus demonstrate your academic ability. However, vocational and personal enrichment classes are still considered part of your grade point average.
3. Participation in the CSU Educational Opportunity Program, military, and veterans programs can also help you qualify and succeed as a CSU student.

The CSU also provides information for middle-school students and their parents who want to plan ahead.

Hospitality Education Programs for High School Students

The following programs allow high school students who are interested in hospitality careers to get an early start. Some of these programs allow students who participate to receive credit toward their diplomas. Some offer advanced placement credit with participating community colleges. Where "2+2+2" options are offered, students who complete two years each in high school and community college are given special consideration as transfer applicants to participating CSU hospitality programs. Refer to the information about a specific program for details about its requirements, options, and benefits.

• The ProStart program for aspiring foodservice professionals, is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association.
• The Lodging Management Program for aspiring hoteliers and lodging professionals, is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
• The HERO program, sponsored by the California Department of Education, Home Economics Careers and Technology, has a number of career-pathway tracks for interested high school students, including hospitality and food service.

1United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos015.htm (accessed May 8, 2009).

2United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos024.htm (accessed May 8, 2009).