My only input without knowing where you live is that there is a huge localism bias, which has always hampered simply bringing in the most qualified students. The CSU mandate prioritizes local students at any impacted school, which Long Beach is fully impacted. Those who live closest to CSULB get huge preferential treatment. I don't know how many or what percentage that represents, but they just have to meet minimum CSU standards. That is in addition to the local Pathways program which further guarantees admissions. Not merit based, I agree, but been that way for over 25 years.

https://www.csulb.edu/admissions/local-preference-admission-consideration

https://www.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/documents/csulocaladmission-serviceareas.pdf

For example, if you live in say Anaheim, Fullerton is your closest CSU, and that is your area 1 school. It will be easier for you to get into Fullerton than Long Beach.

I don't know if I agree with it, but it comes into play for transfers from Community Colleges quite a bit as well.