Admission Appeals
Admission decisions at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) are based on our verification that the applicant's self-reported academic information meets admission eligibility requirements. CSUN may provisionally admit applicants until all eligibility requirements and deadlines have been met and verified with the appropriate documentation. Read more at provisional admission.
The appeal process depends on your class level:
- Undergraduate — freshman or transfer applicants: Follow the steps on this page to prepare your admission appeal packet.
- Graduate — master's or doctoral applicants: Contact the graduate program to which you are applying to request an admissions appeal decision.
Both the Office of Admissions (undergraduates) and the Office of Graduate Studies defer to the specific department to which an applicant is applying to make the ultimate admission decision.
Please note: Applicants can file only one admission appeal per academic term. The decisions we render are final and non-negotiable for that term.
We wish you the best of luck in your educational journey!
To be considered for admission to the fall or spring semester, send us your Admissions Appeal cover sheet and packet by the following deadlines:
- For fall admission consideration — July 15 for the coming fall semester.
- for spring admission consideration — Nov. 1 for the coming spring semester.
To appeal your admission status or missed deadline(s), follow the steps below to prepare one packet that includes your Admission Appeal Cover Sheet, letter of appeal, and supporting documents. Incomplete appeals will not be considered.
STEP 1:
Download, complete, print and sign and date the Admission Appeal Cover Sheet (PDF). Enclose it in your appeal packet with your letter of appeal and supporting documents.
STEP 2:
Write your letter of appeal. Your letter must explain the basis for your request and describe (1) how you meet the admissions criteria, or (2) how an extenuating circumstance prevented you from meeting a deadline. Be sure to:
- Clearly explain your reasons for the appeal and provide supporting details.
- Describe how you meet the admissions requirements.
- Describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g., military service, family crisis) that prevented you from meeting a deadline.
- Provide your complete student contact information (see Step 3 below).
STEP 3:
Your letter must also include complete student contact information, including:
- Full name
- CSUN 9-digit student ID number (if known)
- Mailing address
- Phone number for messages
- Email address* — We will email our response to you.
*Please verify that the email address you provide is your CSUN email address. Log in to the CSUN Portal with your CSUN user ID and password. Your CSUN email address appears immediately below your name at the top of screen.
STEP 4:
Enclose supporting documents in your appeal packet, for example:
- Copies of your transcripts (official preferred), both graded course work and work-in-progress.
- Documentation supporting the extenuating circumstance(s) you described in your letter of appeal.
- Note: Please do not submit letters of recommendation or copies of awarded honors.
STEP 5:
Please submit your completed appeal packet within 15 business days from the date you received notice that your request for admission was denied. There are three ways to deliver your appeal packet:
- To deliver by email, select the link for your group below:
-
To deliver by regular mail:
Office of the Registrar, CSUN
ATTN: Admissions Appeals Committee
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8207 -
To deliver in person:
Take your appeal packet to the Office of Admissions, located in Bayramian Hall (BH), Room 160.
- Walk-in hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Get driving directions and a campus map.
Our Response Process
The Admissions Appeals Committee will make every effort to respond to your petition within 30 business days of receiving your appeal request. Appeal decisions will be communicated to you via your email account. Because many students may not be notified of the results of their appeal until a month before classes begin, we strongly encourage you to pursue the other higher education options available to you.
Thank you for your interest in attending CSUN.