Out of State Student

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Mason University
1

<p>I really want to go to school in the D.C. area and the other schools I'm applying to aren't real financial safeties. Thus, I'm considering applying to George Mason, however I have some concerns.</p>

<p>1.) Being out-of-state (from the midwest), I'm concerned that George Mason is an entirely commuter school where everyone ditches the campus on the weekends to go home (only 8% out of state students). Can anyone elaborate on this? I want a campus feel - I'm not socially outgoing, so I want opportunities for social interaction. No one from my state went to George Mason last year. </p>

<p>2.) Financial aid - I have a 3.6 GPA/will have 27-30 ACT - will I be eligible for merit aid?</p>

<p>3.) I've never been to Washington D.C. - the reason that I want to go to school there is the political atmosphere (and my political ambitions). The other schools I'm looking at (GWU and America) have strong political connections in regard to internships, et al. Can the same be said of George Mason?</p>

2

<p>Hey, I'm not applying to George Mason but I live down the road and a ton of my friends go there so I'll try to help you. I don't know if you've been to George Mason but it isn't in DC. It's not really even that close. From Mason to Washington it could take 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on traffic. A lot of the students commute to GMU but I've heard there a bunch of students who still live in dorms. You may/may not receive aid. I've heard the aid is pretty good at Mason but most of the kids I know who don't have enough money to pay, work but then again they're commuters so its cheaper. I wouldn't say its much of a campus feel because its located around a bunch of neighborhoods and it's not really the "college" feel to it. My opinion is that GMU may not be what your looking for.</p>

3

<p>I just got back from visiting GMU, and I thought it was a beautiful campus outside of D.C. ( which is where I want to be as well). I'm from Georgia, so being out-of-state is a concern for me as well. The campus is very nice, and big, but set in a circle, so its easy to get around.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>GMU is not entirely a commuter campus. However, there is a Virginia law that states that Va Universities must accept 70% in-state students. I actually had an admissions counselor tell me that I had a better chance of getting in over a VA student.</p></li>
<li><p>um duh you're eligible</p></li>
<li><p>GMU has AMAZING placement services. You are given a personal counselor you go to, and tell them your preference concerning internships, and they e-mail you regularly about these preferences. </p></li>
</ol>

<p><the main="" downfall="" about="" gmu="" is="" that="" the="" dorms="" are="" terrible.="" i="" mean="" literally="" 10'="" by="" for="" 3="" people.=""></the></p>

4

<p>One of the complaints about GMU is that they do not give enough financial aid.</p>

<p>Here are their statistics from college board so you can decide for youself:
Financial Aid Statistics</p>

<pre><code>* Full-time freshman enrollment: 2,414
* Number who applied for need-based aid: 1,576
* Number who were judged to have need: 938
* Number who were offered aid: 878
* Number who had full need met: 103

  • Average percent of need met: 64%
  • Average financial aid package: $7,609
  • Average need-based loan: $2,703
  • Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $4,779
  • Average non-need based aid: $4,961
  • Average indebtedness at graduation: $15,791 </code></pre>

<p>Other useful statistics I thought you guys might like is that 12% of the student body is from out of state and only 23% of students live on campus.</p>