Each applicant must submit the California State University application electronically at the Cal State Apply Website along with the $70 nonrefundable application fee. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2025 (Saturday). Once you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, you will be assigned a RedID number, which will be e-mailed to you within 3-5 business days. Your RedID number will allow you to track the status of your application through my.SDSU.

If you have questions regarding Step 1, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or e-mail [email protected]. International applicants may contact the International Recruitment Office at (619) 594-6336 or e-mail [email protected].

After you have submitted the Cal State Apply application and received your RedID number, you will need to send official transcripts and test scores to the Graduate Admissions Office. Deadline to complete all required files, test scores, and official transcripts is February 15, 2025 (Saturday). Sending transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application will result in processing delays.

You must provide the following:

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) issued within the last year, from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. Students who previously attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for coursework completed since last attendance. Hard copy SDSU transcripts are not required.
   
   Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified literal English translation. For country specific requirements, please see the Graduate Admissions Country Information website.
   
   

2. A GRE or GMAT score is required for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of below 3.2 or with a degree in a non-quantitative field so that the applicants can demonstrate the requisite quantitative knowledge.
   
   GRE or GMAT scores sent directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using SDSU’s Institution Code GRE: 4682, GMAT: 9LT-2P-73. Please note that although the university graduate division does not require GRE or GMAT score, but our BDA program DOES REQUIRE GRE or GMAT scores for admission requirement.
   
   
3. English language scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) are required of applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 is required. Scores should be sent directly from ETS using SDSU’s Institution Code 4682. Applicants may also take the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL and must present a minimum score of 6.5. Applicants may also take the PTE in lieu of the TOEFL and must present a minimum score of 58.

The above listed materials should be sent to:

Submit all supplemental materials to the BDA program Interfolio by March 1, 2025 (Saturday). 

Please refer to the Applicant Guide for the step-by-step instructions to complete the Interfolio application package.

• One page statement of research interests and professional goals (maximum 500 words).
• A current resume or vitae. Please include undergraduate GPA scores and [GRE or GMAT] (and if applicable, TOEFL or IELTS) test scores in your resume or vitae. Please also include information about your computer programming skills (Python, R, JavaScripts, C++/ Algorithms, AWS, Mongo DB, etc.) and experience (beginner, medium, advanced, etc.). In addition, what knowledge, skills, job-related traits and abilities you may have?
• One or two letters of recommendation (Minimum one letter is required)
• One digital portfolio document that describe the technical products YOU have created, such as class projects, GitHub websites, videos, personal or project websites, dashboards, software development, programming profile, web designing, and apps. Note: A digital portfolio is not a resume or an autobiography: only focus on your work samples. Only include your best, most professional examples. Include recent work if possible. A digital portfolio can be a PDF document or a web link to your portfolio webpage.
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. These do not need to be sent directly from the college or university – scanned photocopies and digital copies are acceptable. Note: This is in addition to the transcripts that you submit to Graduate Admissions in Step 2.
• English language scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE). Photocopies and digital copies are acceptable. Note: This is in addition to the scores that you submit to Graduate Admissions in Step 2.
• A GRE or GMAT score is required for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of below 3.2 or with a degree in a non-quantitative field so that the applicants can demonstrate the requisite quantitative knowledge. Photocopies and digital copies are acceptable. Note: This is in addition to the scores that you submit to Graduate Admissions in Step 2.

If you have questions regarding Step 3, please contact us at [email protected] .