Fresno State announced on April 27 an expansion of its Bulldog Bound guaranteed admissions program to include transfer students from participating community colleges in Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare and Merced counties.
Through the Bulldog Bound Transfer Guarantee Program, students who meet the minimum California State University upper division transfer admission requirements are guaranteed a spot at Fresno State to continue their education and earn their four-year degree.
Fresno State will support students throughout the transition process, offering advising, application assistance, and access to campus resources.
“Bulldog Bound creates a clear, guaranteed pathway for community college students to continue their educational journey, thus empowering them to earn their Fresno State degree, here, where it matters most. By streamlining the process and providing a seamless transition, we are opening doors for all our talented students to achieve their goals, elevate their potential and contribute meaningfully to the future of our Valley.”
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
The following community colleges have agreed to partner with Fresno State on the Bulldog Bound Transfer Guarantee Program:
- Clovis Community College
- Coalinga College
- College of the Sequoias
- Fresno City College
- Lemoore College
- Madera Community College
- Merced College
- Porterville College
- Reedley College
Signing up for the program does not obligate students to attend Fresno State, though it provides the most comprehensive and streamlined pathway toward becoming a Bulldog. Guaranteed admission means there will be a spot at Fresno State for participating students; it does not guarantee entry into certain impacted programs.
By participating in Bulldog Bound, students receive:
- Assistance with the Cal State Apply application and a Cal State Apply application fee waiver (if the student is not eligible on the application and is only applying to Fresno State).
- Early admission notice, career and academic major exploration, and campus life experience.
- Bulldog Bound Transfer Scholarship and New Student Orientation Registration Fee scholarship (if the student enrolls and is not eligible for financial aid assistance).
- Transfer events and resources, such as Early Dog Days New Student Orientation sessions, transfer orientation, a Preview Day Transfer Session, and the Transfer Roadmap: Transfer Planner.
Bulldog Bound was first introduced in 2023 with seven partnering school districts to strengthen the educational pipeline in the region by providing high school students with a guaranteed pathway to Fresno State. More than 24,000 students from over 100 high schools have participated in the program since then.
“The success of the Bulldog Bound Program over the past two years has been transformative — expanding access, improving student outcomes and strengthening institutional partnerships. Building on that momentum, the launch of our transfer student program is a natural next step, extending those same proven pathways to an even broader and more diverse group of learners.”
Phong Yang, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
