George Mason University

About

George Mason University (Mason, GMU, or George Mason) is a public research university located in Fairfax County near Fairfax City in Virginia. In 1956, the Commonwealth of Virginia authorized the establishment of a Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia and the institution that is now named George Mason University opened in September 1957. It became an independent institution in 1972. It has since grown to become the largest four-year public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The university is named after the founding father George Mason, a Virginia planter and politician who authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights that later influenced the future Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Mason operates four campuses in Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Front Royal, and Prince William), as well as a fifth campus in South Korea.

The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". It is particularly well known in the fields of economics and law and economics. Two Mason economics professors have won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics: James M. Buchanan in 1986 and Vernon L. Smith in 2002.

Programs:

• Accounting
• Anthropology
• Applied Computer Science
• Art and Visual Technology
• Art History
• Astronomy
• Atmospheric Science
• Aviation Flight Training and Management
• Bioengineering
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Chinese
• Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
• Clinical Psychology
• Communication
• Computer Engineering
• Criminology, Law and Society
• Cyber Security Engineering
• Digital Media and Web Design
• Economics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• English
• Entrepreneurship
• Ethnomusicology
• Food Systems
• French
• Geography
• Geology
• German Studies
• Graphic Design
• Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources
• History
• Hospitality Management
• Information Technology
• Islamic Studies
• Italian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Journalism
• Kinesiology
• Korean Studies
• Linguistics
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Music
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Philosophy
• Physics Minor
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Software Engineering
• Sport Management
• Web Design

Freshman General Admission Requirements

• Cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) for work completed in grades 9-12 along with level of difficulty of courses selected, particularly in core academic courses. Request your high school send an official copy of your transcript.
• SAT or ACT Scores. George Mason University uses self-reported SAT and/or ACT test scores throughout the initial admissions process to make both admissions and scholarship decisions. These decisions are contingent upon receipt of official test scores, sent directly from the testing agency, prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which the student intends to enroll. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to reevaluate an applicant’s admissions or scholarship decision upon receipt of official test scores. This reevaluation may result in a change of admissions or scholarship status.
• An optional, but strongly encouraged Personal Statement of approximately 250 words explaining to the Office of Admissions why YOU want to go to college. Tell them about yourself and your experiences that have led to this decision. Submit your statement online when prompted during the online application process or within the Common App.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores from non-native English-speaking applicants to supplement other standardized test results.
• Extracurricular activities and community service participation

Housing

On the Fairfax campus the northernmost housing is technically on campus, but about a mile from the center of campus, about a half mile from the edge of the majority of the Fairfax campus in the housing area known as the Townhouses. On the eastern edge of the Fairfax campus lies Masonvale, houses intended for graduate students and visiting faculty. On the southern edge of the Fairfax campus you will find President's Park, Liberty Square, and Potomac Heights. On the western side of the Fairfax campus, near Ox Road/Rt 123, are the Mason Global Center, Whitetop, and Rogers. The Student Apartments off Aquia Creek Lane were torn down in 2019. Closer to the center of the Fairfax campus are the residence halls along Chesapeake Lane, named: Northern Neck, Commonwealth, Blue Ridge, Sandbridge, Piedmont, and Tidewater, as well as Hampton Roads, Dominion, Eastern Shore, and the Commons. At the Science and Technology (SciTech) campus near Manassas, Virginia, 21 miles (34 km) west of Fairfax, Beacon Hall was designed for graduate student housing. 54 miles (87 km) west of Fairfax, the G.T. Halpin Family Living & Learning Community is on the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation campus. 6,961 miles (11,203 km) west of Fairfax, Student's Hall and Guest House are on the Songdo campus.

Rankings

• #153 in National Universities
• #109 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #76 in Best Undergraduate Teaching