The California State University (CSU) application for fall 2027 admission opens for submission on October 1, 2026. The priority application period runs from August 1 through November 30, 2026, and the application fee is $70 per campus. For 12th-grade students in the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), October is the month to move the CSU application forward alongside the University of California application.
Who Is Affected by CSU fall 2027 applications
The CSU application dates page was updated on September 28 and lists the following schedule:
- Starting August 1, applicants can begin filling out the application in Cal State Apply, the CSU application system.
- Submission opens October 1. The sections for the high school attended, high school coursework, and A-G course matching do not open until October 1.
- One application can cover multiple campuses. The fee is $70 per campus, and some students may qualify for an application fee waiver.
- According to the CSU website, most applicants do not need to write essays or submit test scores.
Students applying to high-demand majors should pay particular attention. The CSU website states that some campuses and majors continue to accept applications after the priority period ends, but applications to impacted majors (majors that receive more qualified applicants than they have spaces and therefore apply higher admission standards) must be submitted during the initial application period.
What to Do Now About CSU fall 2027 applications
Have the high school transcript ready before October 1. The coursework section must be completed course by course from the transcript and matched to A-G courses. Organizing the name and grade of every course from grades 9 through 11 in advance reduces entry errors. The seven A-G subject areas are explained in UC A-G Requirements Explained: The Course Minimum for Irvine Students.
Check whether the target major is impacted. If it is, plan to submit before November 30.
Use the district fair on October 5. The IUSD College and Career Fair takes place that day from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Portola High School gym, with CSU admission representatives on site. Details are in Brief: IUSD College and Career Fair on October 5.
The University of California application timeline is covered in UC Application Timeline: From August 1 to May 1, college planning resources for each Irvine high school are in the IUSD college planning guide, and EDUBUS application services are described on the college planning page.
Sources
- California State University: Application Dates & Deadlines (accessed September 29, 2026)
- California State University: Freshman (accessed September 29, 2026)
- California State University: Go From Here. (accessed September 29, 2026)
- Portola High School: IUSD College and Career Fair (accessed September 29, 2026)
- CSU Transfer Priority Filing Ends Nov. 30CSU priority filing for fall 2027 transfer applicants ends November 30, 2026; $70 per campus. ADT admission guarantee, upper-division requirements, and next steps.
- Notre Dame REA Nov. 1; Tests Required Fall 2028Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026. Scores stay optional this cycle; SAT or ACT is required for fall 2028 entry. Dates, essays, and rules.
- Pomona Two Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 8Pomona College Early Decision I closes November 8, 2026, decisions by December 15. Two supplement prompts of 150 and 250 words, plus recommendation and testing rules.
- Portola High Financial Aid Workshop Oct. 19Portola High School holds a mandatory financial aid workshop for all seniors on October 19, 2026, led by Irvine Valley College, with FSA ID creation. Parent steps first.
