As long as you have a genuine thirst for knowledge, most classes will be very intriguing and you will take pride in what you have learned. Many of the professors I have come into contact with are excellent teachers and are highly available through email. I have gotten responses back from professors within hours of sending my message. Learning at Mason does not stop at the exit of classroom; while visiting the career and academic advising centers I have gained important knowledge on specific majors and careers I'm interested in. In the career center there's a mini library of books about almost every career imaginable.
A large number of professors encourage their students to get involved with campus activities. I am proud to say that I was involved with helping set up and prepare the AIDS Quilt that came to GMU during AIDS/HIV Awareness week. Many students and I hung large quilts around the JC (Johnson Center). On each one, pictures and names of people were quilted in remembrance of those past.
With some classes, you'll find yourself attending world class performances at the Center for the Arts building where pianist Lang Lang has/will perform. Or even at other various campus events that teachers may give extra credit for. There is a continuous stream of job workshops at Mason that aim to enhance your job-getting and job-performing skills.
At Mason, the education goes beyond the lecture halls.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I can honestly say that I do enjoy being at GMU. The food and varied selection is above average, relative to most universities in America. Although, the food at Southside dining hall can become bland due to excessive visits, so don't eat all of your day's meals there. Instead try to mix it up by going to one of the many places in the JC or in Student Union I (they have Chick-Fil-A =]).
I know many of you may be concerned about the freshman 15 but don't fret because there are MULTIPLE gyms on campus. My favorite (due to proximity) is Skyline gym; its building structure is connected to the Southside dining hall and is just footsteps away from a freshman residence area called DUCC. Then there is the Aquatics Center which contains a gym and an Olympic size pool. The newest addition to Mason's ensemble of physical fitness buildings is the RAC (Recreation and Athletic Complex).
The social experience is excellent, especially if you choose to live in the Living Learning Community. The LLC program takes students with similar academic interests and puts them on the same floor in a communal dorm. I have found that the communal dorms in the University Commons residence halls creates a more social atmosphere between you and your floor mates. Some floors have gotten to know each other so well that they modeled their floor's commons area into a living room; with couches, a table and big screen television. Not all the floors have these luxuries but you and your floor mates can donate items to transform your hall into a real home. The student clubs are highly active and will definitely keep you involved. They prove to serve as excellent mediums for meeting other students and making friends.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
If you are out-of-state and don't have a large amount of scholarship money, it may be a financial risk to make GMU your choice. On the other hand if you are in-state or are financially secured through scholarships then I encourage you to choose Mason. One of the downturns is that some classes require you to purchase brand new books so that you receive a new online code to log into the online portion of the course. The codes from used books are not recyclable. So in some cases you may not be able to buy the cheaper used books. Compared to other schools of the same or lesser quality, the education and career connections are well worth the price.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
1) Consider this school if you are in-state and/or live very close to the campus; it offers a great education for a relatively low price.
2) Apply for early decision; (a time period during the fall) it will increase your chances of being accepted.
3) If it is possible, make a visit to the school.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
GMU is great for students who live in the northern Virginia area; close to home and they can be a commuter student. They can save money on out-of-state tuition and maybe room and board if they decide to live at home. Mason is the ideal university to attend for students who are seeking diversity. The campus population is colorful; with many different nationalities, religions, and cultures. The atmosphere encourages people to be open-minded and allows people express who they are.
As long as you have a genuine thirst for knowledge, most classes will be very intriguing and you will take pride in what you have learned. Many of the professors I have come into contact with are excellent teachers and are highly available through email. I have gotten responses back from professors within hours of sending my message. Learning at Mason does not stop at the exit of classroom; while visiting the career and academic advising centers I have gained important knowledge on specific majors and careers I'm interested in. In the career center there's a mini library of books about almost every career imaginable. A large number of professors encourage their students to get involved with campus activities. I am proud to say that I was involved with helping set up and prepare the AIDS Quilt that came to GMU during AIDS/HIV Awareness week. Many students and I hung large quilts around the JC (Johnson Center). On each one, pictures and names of people were quilted in remembrance of those past. With some classes, you'll find yourself attending world class performances at the Center for the Arts building where pianist Lang Lang has/will perform. Or even at other various campus events that teachers may give extra credit for. There is a continuous stream of job workshops at Mason that aim to enhance your job-getting and job-performing skills. At Mason, the education goes beyond the lecture halls.
I can honestly say that I do enjoy being at GMU. The food and varied selection is above average, relative to most universities in America. Although, the food at Southside dining hall can become bland due to excessive visits, so don't eat all of your day's meals there. Instead try to mix it up by going to one of the many places in the JC or in Student Union I (they have Chick-Fil-A =]). I know many of you may be concerned about the freshman 15 but don't fret because there are MULTIPLE gyms on campus. My favorite (due to proximity) is Skyline gym; its building structure is connected to the Southside dining hall and is just footsteps away from a freshman residence area called DUCC. Then there is the Aquatics Center which contains a gym and an Olympic size pool. The newest addition to Mason's ensemble of physical fitness buildings is the RAC (Recreation and Athletic Complex). The social experience is excellent, especially if you choose to live in the Living Learning Community. The LLC program takes students with similar academic interests and puts them on the same floor in a communal dorm. I have found that the communal dorms in the University Commons residence halls creates a more social atmosphere between you and your floor mates. Some floors have gotten to know each other so well that they modeled their floor's commons area into a living room; with couches, a table and big screen television. Not all the floors have these luxuries but you and your floor mates can donate items to transform your hall into a real home. The student clubs are highly active and will definitely keep you involved. They prove to serve as excellent mediums for meeting other students and making friends.
If you are out-of-state and don't have a large amount of scholarship money, it may be a financial risk to make GMU your choice. On the other hand if you are in-state or are financially secured through scholarships then I encourage you to choose Mason. One of the downturns is that some classes require you to purchase brand new books so that you receive a new online code to log into the online portion of the course. The codes from used books are not recyclable. So in some cases you may not be able to buy the cheaper used books. Compared to other schools of the same or lesser quality, the education and career connections are well worth the price.
1) Consider this school if you are in-state and/or live very close to the campus; it offers a great education for a relatively low price. 2) Apply for early decision; (a time period during the fall) it will increase your chances of being accepted. 3) If it is possible, make a visit to the school.
GMU is great for students who live in the northern Virginia area; close to home and they can be a commuter student. They can save money on out-of-state tuition and maybe room and board if they decide to live at home. Mason is the ideal university to attend for students who are seeking diversity. The campus population is colorful; with many different nationalities, religions, and cultures. The atmosphere encourages people to be open-minded and allows people express who they are.