California State University, San Marcos Admission
California State University, San Marcos Undergraduate Program
California State University, San Marcos Application

The Facts

California State University, San Marcos is one of the smaller branches of the larger state-supported CSU system which encompasses 22 universities throughout the state of California. CSU San Marcos is located in the suburban town of the appropriately titled San Marcos, California, and is home to over 5,750 undergraduate students and approximately 750 graduate students. The university is divided up into several smaller graduate and undergraduate schools that offer programs in the areas of agriculture, biological science (which includes innovative programs in the areas of botany, entomology, genetics, marine biology, as well as zoology), business, communications and the arts, computer and physical science, education (which includes a renowned bicultural/bilingual education program), health professions, and social science (which includes a wonderful archeology program). Some of the most popular major choices are business administration, psychology, liberal arts, education, and sociology.

Admission to CSU San Marcos is not nearly as competitive as some of the other, larger members of the CSU system; however, those students who do apply tend to have been quite academically and extracurricularly successful in the past. Last year, over 4,000 students applied for admission to the university, and approximately 2,800 of those students were accepted; of those, about 1,600 matriculated. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1090 to 1150, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 22 to 28. Additionally, more than 75% of the admitted students were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about 3.74.

CSU San Marcos has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 18:1, and many students say that one of the perks of attending such a small public university is that you receive much more one on one attention from your professors. Most of them even know you by name! Students say that the professors are very dedicated to their students, and make a concerted effort to be as accessible as possible, both day and night.

The Social Scene

The town of San Marcos is located on the coast about 30 miles north of San Diego, and there are plenty of activities in the immediate area to keep students busy. The beach is a very popular hangout spot, and many students love to surf, swim, and bathe in the Southern California sun. The school is also home to just 4 national fraternities and sororities, but their presence is definitely felt in the on campus social scene. Weekend parties are frequent and popular, and drinking is the most popular mode of “social” interaction. For those students who aren’t into partying until the break of day, the school also offers more than 50 student clubs and organizations that run the gamut from political debate teams to a cheer leading squad.

The dating scene is small, but filled with beach babes who might just be ready to give you a surfing lesson or two...

What’s Good

“It’s nice going to such a small branch of CSU, because you don’t feel like you’re a part of this massive state university. It’s much more intimate.”

“The beach is so close, and it’s a place where we can all come together and have a great time after a stressful day at school.”

“You couldn’t ask for a better faculty; they’re really dedicated, and you know they genuinely are interesting in your well-being.”

What’s Bad

“I think the school is too small. It’s impossible to just disappear into the crowd, and everyone knows all your business.”

“There are a lot of people here who aren’t really into studying, which makes it difficult for those of us who are!”

“The partying thing is absolutely ridiculous! I’m just waiting to see these people finally grow up!”

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