MASON IS ALL TOGETHER DIFFERENT
In just 50 years, George Mason University has become Virginia’s largest, most diverse, and highest-ranked university for innovation by rejecting the traditional university model of exclusivity. Mason welcomes all who are prepared for the academic rigor of an R1 research university, educating them in a research-intensive environment and graduating them at rates that surpass the national norm. Nearly nine in ten Mason graduates report advancing their careers within just six months of graduation, prepared to meet the greatest possibilities and most pressing challenges the world has ever faced. Mason didn’t achieve this incredible success by being like all the others. We did it by being All Together Different.
MORE THAN $214 MILLION IN RESEARCH FUNDING
Mason is among only 146 universities in the United States designated as a Carnegie Research 1 (R1) institution. The collaborative research of Mason faculty, students, and alumni serves as a driving force for innovation, prosperity, and well-being in the commonwealth and beyond.
LOCATION
Located just outside Washington, D.C., Mason’s beautiful 677-acre residential campus in Fairfax, Virginia, is home to the most diverse student body in the state. Our physical presence extends across Virginia and beyond, with Mason Square, our campus in Arlington; the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas; the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation in Front Royal; and our overseas campus in Songdo, South Korea. As a Mason student, you will have access to a powerful regional presence with a global reach.
TRANSFER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Transfer applicants should present the following criteria to be competitive for admission:
- 24 transferable credits earned at a U.S. college or university that holds recognized accreditation or from an international university recognized by that country’s ministry of education
- Students with fewer than 24 college credits are required to submit a high school transcript
- 2.5 cumulative GPA (selective admission majors may require a higher GPA and/or specific courses for transfer admission)
- Transferable English composition and mathematics courses
- Non-native speakers of English must meet the university’s English language proficiency requirement
IN-STATE TRANSFERS
GUARANTEED ADMISSION AGREEMENT (GAA) REQUIREMENTS
If you are earning an AS, AA, or AA&S through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) or Richard Bland College, you may take advantage of this unique partnership with Mason. Specific requirements must be met to qualify for guaranteed admission to Mason.
ADVANCE TO MASON
ADVANCE is a program run by the Office of Community College Partnerships (OCCP) that provides a streamlined transfer process to students at select community colleges in Virginia. If you qualify and are accepted into the program, you’ll receive targeted, personalized support to save you time and money as you complete your degree.
TRANSFER APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications for general transfer admission submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.
You may apply to the Honors College for either the fall or spring semester, but you must meet that semester’s deadline to be considered.
Late applications are not considered for the GAA.
START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY
Every year, Mason welcomes as many transfer students as it does first-year students. When you transfer to Mason, you enter an environment designed specifically to meet your unique needs and help you achieve your potential.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To apply, you must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet additional requirements depending on your program of interest.
The Office of Admissions will consider transfer credit earned at higher institutions of education that are fully recognized by a national ministry of education or an equivalent authorizing agency. All international coursework must be evaluated with a NACES-approved certified course-by-course evaluation to be considered for transfer credit.
MASON THINKS All Together Different
Mason’s reputation for bold innovation is on full display across our colleges and schools, with academic programs that are intentionally created and shaped to directly address the needs of our communities.
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Engineering and Computing
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Public Health
- College of Science
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Schar School of Policy and Government
- School of Business
MASON’S HONORS COLLEGE
In Mason's Honors College, your motivation will be rewarded with unique academic and social opportunities that enhance your college experience.
FACULTY
Our prime location puts us at the crossroads of government, industry, and research, which attracts engaged and dedicated faculty members who lead in their fields. Mason’s faculty includes U.S. Congress members, U.S. Supreme Court justices, business leaders, artists, and successful entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.
ONLINE
Mason Online allows students to take select classes remotely while at home, stationed abroad, or traveling. These courses maintain the same rigor and integrity as their campus-based counterparts, providing an active and collaborative learning environment with greater flexibility to fit your needs.
#1 for Public Health
Mason’s public health programs are ranked No. 1 in Virginia by College Factual.
AACSB Accredited
Our School of Business is accredited by AACSB International—the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Mason’s School of Business is among only 20 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide accredited in both business and accounting.
#9 WORLDWIDE
The College of Engineering and Computing’s Cyber Security Engineering Program is ranked No. 9 worldwide by EduRank.
MASON WELCOMES All Together Different
Mason’s students hail from all 50 states and 130 countries, representing the broadest spectrum of origins, identities, circumstances, and experiences. Together, our students can see the world more completely, think more creatively, and learn more effectively. More than that, the shared perspectives among Mason students lead to the creation of new knowledge and solutions that would be impossible to achieve otherwise.
#1 FOR DIVERSITY
U.S. News & World Report ranks Mason No. 1 in Virginia and No. 7 nationally among public institutions for diversity.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVITY
Mason is one of only 48 universities in the nation to earn a five-star rating from the Campus Pride Index.
FIRST-GEN+ CENTER
The First-Gen+ Center serves as an accessible starting point for first generation, undocumented, refugee, and limited-income students and their families.
FIND YOUR COMMUNITY AT MASON
Our undergraduate students come from many different communities, meaning you’ll live and work alongside students who are both similar and different from you, with ample opportunities to learn from one another along the way.
Our wealth of student-led organizations is one of the truest indicators of Mason’s diversity of thought, interests, and goals. Every year, Mason and our students host thousands of events on campus. These include dance classes, theatrical and musical performances, sports competitions and watch parties, movie screenings, comedy shows, and so much more.
Our study-abroad programs give you the opportunity to experience different cultures while studying at prestigious host institutions. Eligible first-year students can study abroad as early as their second semester with the help of Mason’s Global Gateway program.
MASON WORKS All Together Different
University Career Services, Mason’s nationally recognized career center, takes an industry-focused approach as it serves more than 21,000 students annually through workshops and campuswide career fairs. With their help:
700+ COMPANIES CONNECT WITH AND RECRUIT OUR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES EACH YEAR
ACCENTURE | AMAZON | BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB | CAPITAL ONE | CDC | DELOITTE | DISNEY | FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | FDA | FEMA | GM | IBM | KPMG | MARRIOTT | MICROSOFT | MITRE | NASA | NIH | NORC | PERATON | RAND CORPORATION | ROCKSTAR GAMES | SPECIAL OLYMPICS | THE WORLD BANK | U.S. ARMY
MASON PROVIDES AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION
Many Mason students receive some form of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, work-study employment, or loans. Mason’s Office of Student Financial Aid has a team of dedicated professionals available to help you and your family.
Mason’s loan default rate is 0.8 percent, which is significantly lower than the national default rate of 2.3 percent. Mason graduates are better positioned than others to pay off their educational investments.
LEARN ABOUT ALL YOUR FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS AT MASON
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
To be eligible for need-based aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you attend Mason.
INELIGIBLE FOR THE FAFSA?
Virginia students who are ineligible for the FAFSA, including undocumented students and those with DACA status, should complete the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) instead. The VASA priority deadline for transfer students is March 1.
MASON EXPERIENCES All Together Different
HOUSING
Feeling connected to the campus community is a crucial part of the full Mason experience. That’s why our more than 40 residence halls offer a variety of on-campus living options open to transfer students on a space-available basis. These include suites, apartments, and Learning Communities (LCs) that place you at the center of student life.
DINING
Mason Dining offers something for every palate or dietary need. Allergen-free, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and kosher options are readily accessible, and our dietitian is available for free consultations to discuss your unique needs. With more than 30 dining locations across our campuses, some open 24 hours a day, you’ll have the flexibility to eat what you want, when you want.
CAMPUS SAFETY
Mason is committed to both individual and community safety. Our Mason Alert text notification system provides immediate updates and safety information. You will also have access to an array of safety features through the RAVE Guardian smartphone app. Our Department of Police and Public Safety employs more than 135 full- and part-time personnel, ready to assist you on campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Mason is serious about the health and well-being of our students. Care is readily available through Student Health Services, and individual and group therapy can be booked through Counseling and Psychological Services. Throughout the school year, our Center for the Advancement of Well-Being organizes campuswide initiatives to help you stay mindful and thrive. Patriots also have 24/7 access to TimelyCare, a virtual mental health and well-being platform designed specifically for college students.
TRANSPORTATION
Mason makes it easy for you to get where you need to go. With free access to Fairfax City’s CUE bus system and Mason-run shuttles connecting our campuses and the Washington, D.C., Metro system, you can reach unprecedented cultural and professional opportunities. When you’re on campus, our biking and e-scooter infrastructure guarantees you’ll never have trouble making it to class on time.
MASON PLAYS All Together Different
MASON WORKS HARD AND PLAYS HARDER
Mason’s 22 men’s and women’s NCAA Division I athletic teams are all part of the elite Atlantic 10 Conference. Together, our teams have brought home 35 national championship titles. Show your Patriot Pride by cheering for our two-time NCAA championship-winning basketball team and chanting the fight song with the Green Machine—our one-of-a-kind pep band led by the charismatic Doc Nix!
3 STATE-OF-THE-ART FITNESS CENTERS
With more than 230,000 square feet of recreational space, our centers offer something for everyone, including an Olympic-sized pool, weight training equipment, and dozens of group exercise classes.
32 CLUB SPORTS
More than 900 students participate in men’s, women’s, and co-recreational organizations competing against other universities regionally, nationally, and even internationally.
20 INTRAMURAL SPORTS
With more than 2,300 participants, our intramural programs offer team, individual, and dual sports, as well as nontraditional options at both the recreational and competitive levels.
4 VARSITY-LEVEL ESPORTS SQUADS
In addition to competing nationally, Mason’s esports student organization hosts community game nights and tournaments. Each year, they work with several other programs to host GAMEmason, a two-day gaming convention on campus.
DIVISION I TEAMS
Men’s
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Indoor Track and Field
- Outdoor Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Women’s
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Indoor Track and Field
- Outdoor Track and Field
- Volleyball