On October 8, 2025, Gavin Newsom signed a new bill called SB640 that offers California high school seniors automatic admittance to most schools in the state university program. This policy is effective for any students applying for the Fall 2027 school year and has elicited mixed responses from the public.
According to an article published on the California State University official website, this program is most defined by its rule of direct admission. This means that certain CSUs will send an offer to a student if they meet the academic standards. However, an official spot will only be granted if the student decides to complete a Cal State application and pay the enrollment fee. Although this has invoked concerns about college capacity, students will still be prioritized based on their academic achievements. More people will be admitted into college, but those with better records will still be rewarded for their hard work.
SB 640 does not affect all California State Universities. This program aims to increase enrollment in CSU’s with declining admission rates and encourage students to pursue higher education. Popular campuses like CSU Long Beach, San Jose State, Fullerton, and San Diego State will still undergo the traditional admission process.
