<p>We got back from the Open House at GMU and daughter is still interested in attending. This year was the largest Open House and they said 4,000 signed up to attend. Didn't seem that all 4000 were there but it was a large # in attendance. As we are from NY, my d will be spending most of her week-ends on campus. Her main concern is that the campus empties out over the week-end. We spoke to kids from NJ, NY and other places and they tried to assure us that their were plenty of things going on over the week-end. It seems they all made a concerted effort to join clubs, sororities etc. to ensure they would be involved with something. Though my d is into sports and would probably want to do club sports or intramurals, she doesn't want to feel forced to join a sports club as that is the only way she'll have something to do on the week-ends. So should we be concerned about quiet week-ends on the GMU campus or is it a thriving community on Sat & Sunday too?? PS We really did enjoy our visit. The campus is one of the nicest we've seen and the proximity to DC does make it a special place. It still remains a school we're giving serious consideration too but I think she needs a little encouragement re: week-end activities. Thanks.</p>
<p>I hope the week-ends at GMU are more active than this board is.</p>
<p>My S just graduated from GMU. He lived on campus for two years, even though we only live about 15 minutes away. The first year he did not have a car but that didn't stop him. The bus service is great to connect to the metro to get into DC. The next year he did have a car so I'm sure that helped. As for on campus, I could see more activities there in the evenings, and weekends. With more on campus housing now, there is something going on, or so it seemed. I would think the main thing would be getting connected with a group of firends, be that intermurals, club, or whatever her interest is. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info Choff. I was hoping more GMU students would chime in but so far, no such luck.</p>
<p>S. was home the other day so I asked him about the weekends there, to make sure I had it right. He said there's definitely stuff to do, like free movies and First Friday, which is the first Friday of each month they do something big for everyone. Now, granted, he also said it's a whole lot better once you turn 21 and can really check out places in D.C. although I doubt if you want to hear that with an incoming freshman!</p>
<p>Thanks Choff for the info. Application was submitted about a month ago- D's ACT score did improve with the October test and her grades are good, so I am hoping for some good news in the next month or two from GMU. I guess we need to be patient, and see what l her choices are and go from there. She got an acceptance today from SUNY College at Buffalo. I do not think its going to make the final cut as she hates cold weather, but at least its an option. If anyone else wants to tell us about week-ends at GMU, we're listening. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>When will decisions come out?</p>
<p>Sorry Michaelburt- I don't know. D got her acceptance to Towson yesterday. Much more "chatting" over there. There really does seem to be more of a community feel over at the Towson board. Maybe my question has been answered. Most of us talking here are adults and I really haven't gotten too much feedback from any of the students. So if any students want to chime in--We're listening.</p>
<p>i live in NOVA, gmu is the ultimate safety school</p>
<p>theres pretty much no campus, the only way to do anything is to go to D.C</p>
<p>or hook up with friends who know people who live in NOVA
its really a commuter school. im applying as a safety and will commute if i end up going :(</p>
<p>So here's my situation: I live in the NOVA area and I decided to apply to Mason early because I really like the campus, it's near DC, there are so many things to do, and because it's stats are rising every, single year. I received my acceptance letter in late dec.
A couple weeks ago I went to VA Tech for an on-the-site acceptance/rejection. I was accepted and very happy because it's a pretty prestigious school with a LOT of school spirit and plenty of things to do.
With much deliberation, I've decided to go to GMU because it's just TOO GOOD to turn down! Although YOU have the responsibility to go out and find things to do, there are things available, ESP in DC! I think that really prepares you for the real world, because there won't be weekend activities at your fingertips forever... you'll have to go out and find things/talk to people yourself!
Also, because of Mason's commuter-school feel, it isn't cut off from society like most schools with prestige are! I've talked to a few people who say they didn't like other schools like UVA or VT because it was like it's own little world... some ppl like that tho.
Mason really isn't centralized at all, and many people like that as well! I know MANY people who have turned down VERY prestigious schools to go to GMU. FROM BROWN U to PENN STATE!! It really is amazing how people turn to Mason for a good school, although it isn't the most prestigious.</p>
<p>I'm a student at George Mason University, and let's see if I can give some insight to you guys. I'll break this down from importance in my opinion.</p>
<p>-Academics: It really depends on your major. We have a great Information Technology major here, with 3 concentrations. A lot of the professors are part-time and are professionals in the IT field. The Math Dept is also pretty good from what I hear. Others to note are government, economics, business. I can get more in detail and provide links for specific majors if requested.</p>
<p>-Sports: Since hitting a top 25 ranking, the basketball games have been VERY fun. Students have started tailgating (very lightly, but still) and the attendance and just all out wildness has been big too. We don't have the school spirit of VT or UVA, but I'm a Florida State fan, so I don't like them anyways. :)</p>
<p>-Social Life: Here's the kicker for people. A lot of people DO commute, and that's their fault in my opinion. Those who live on campus do have fun, for the most part.
The party scene: It's not huge, but it's definitely there. JMU is a huge party school, thus the reason I dind't want to go. Parties are fun, but I wanted to go to a college that I could balance it, and I can definitely do so at GMU.
The bar scene: It has gotten very good now. BWU and Auld Shebeen are both big hotspots on Thursday nights. I've compared these to the Georgetown bars, and they are just as good, if not better.
The campus life on weekends: It really isn't as dead as people say. Since we're in a suburban area, a lot of people venture their own ways. Where at VT, etc ... they are kind of secluded to their own little area, so there isn't much for them to venture out and do. A lot of students go to the DC clubs or bars. A lot stick around the Fairfax bars. A lot venture off to parties around campus (off campus townhouses, apartments, fraternities, etc). It's very varied.</p>
<p>My Best Advice if going to GMU:
Meet people! Just like any other school, people won't COME to you. The most wrong perception I've heard from people are stuff like: "Well, at (insert college here) you don't have to talk with people, it just happens." ... Not true.
Live on-campus! If you are from this area, don't go to the school. You've seen it all before, you've done it all before. Nothing too much will be new, and commuting will tarnish your college experience.
Greek Life! If it's your thing, join. I personally am not in a fraternity, but I have seen the advantages of being in one. I'm friends with plenty of fraternity members, so I've been fortunate to have weekend socials with them, and I'll tell you, they are very very fun. </p>
<p>And just some advice: GMU is no longer a safety school. I could have gotten into VT, UVA, JMU, etc from my transfer and I only applied to GMU. I did research, I liked what I saw in the major, I've never lived in a big city, so I wanted that experience also. I can't complain with my decision. Hell, if you want to experience that "college town" atmosphere, Georgetown is 20 mins up the road, and is one of the best college towns in the country (yes, princetonreview.com, campusdirt.com agree.) Also, WVU is only 3 hours away, and JMU is 2 ... so "getting away" is much easier than people think.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, if you would like to know more, just ask!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, I am also curious about the dorms, which dorms are the best for freshmen? Also you mentioned a good Information Technology program there, does that include Computer Science and Engineering? Because I applied as Computer Science for my major and am also intrested in Engineering. Is the Engineering department well known or instructed at GMU?
Also when I visited GMU this past summer (2005), they were building a new Research Building with an observatory and new dorms, how close are they to finishing? And you mentioned the math department was good too, is the physics department also good, paticularly astronomy? How are the clubs, are there any clubs that do any camping,hiking, and all the good outdoor stuff? And my final question directed toward bravesfan (and any other GMU student) is if there is any major helpful advice or suggestions for incoming freshmen to GMU? Thanks so much for your input and information, GMU is looking like a great school!</p>
<p>Freshmen used to only have one dorm complex: President's Park. However, they have more incoming then housing, so now they have moved them to both the park and the commons area. They're both pretty crappy and small in my opinion, but they're lowerclassmen dorms. After your first year, you can move into townhouses, or apartment suites which are much better and nicer. The newer ones even have the option to have your own room, in which you share a common living room, kitchen, and there are 2 bathrooms per apartment. </p>
<p>The Park is just a drunk fest, or at least it has been, it could change. Usually freshmen just get hammered all week/weekend there. Cops are very strict though, so be careful with them.</p>
<p>IT is a separate major. With concentrations in computer security (my conc.), web design & database, and something else. They just received a $10 million grant to build a new building for it too, I believe.</p>
<p>Computer science and Engineering are good from what I know. You can view curriculums, etc through the Mason website at gmu.edu for further information. They have two buildings dedicated to it (Science and Tech 1, and Science and Tech 2). As for Physics, I'm sure it's tough and good. Most of Mason's majors are pretty good, some exceptional. They are getting a very big reputation for their academics.</p>
<p>The research building is REALLY nice from the outside, it's not fully complete however. I think it's going to be used for engineering (not sure on this one?) and some bio stuff. It's definitely going to help.</p>
<p>The new dorms I think are being built section by section. The FULL completion won't be done until 2008 (but Mason tends to take longer). I believe, however, that once a section is complete, they will allow students to reside. Since it's going up piece by piece, that seems to be their plan. The new housing will also have a dining hall and fitness center within. Should be a very nice ordeal. </p>
<p>There's lots of clubs, I don't know too much about them, I just know there's a lot. There may be something for outdoor stuff. Look into it. I'm sure you can find it through Mason's website. </p>
<p>My advice as an incoming freshmen:</p>
<p>This isn't a normal "social life" college.</p>
<p>It's predominantly made of commuters, but the University is fixing that rapidly with new housing going up just about every 2 years. </p>
<p>If the fraternity thing is your niche, join one, that's a huge social outlet that is very rewarding, from what friends tell me. I tried it my first semester here, went to the rush events for a fraternity, wasn't too pleased with that one in particular, and definitely didn't do much too receive a bid (which I didn't), I was basically very quiet and not very social with them, mainly because my decision to not join (if accepted) was already made, and I just hung around a couple more times because at that time, they were really the only people I knew, and I wanted to make sure that my assumption was true. Watch out for those types, a lot can be two faced (definitely not all, I know a lot of fraternity members and they are very genuine guys), in which to "rush" you, they'll be exceptionally nice to you, yet when you give in, show up to rush events, etc ... they are totally different. Probably the main reason after the FIRST rush event, even though I showed up a couple more times just to make sure that I wasn't going by first impression, I basically decided that the particular fraternity I THOUGHT I was interested in, I truly wasn't. So be aware of that.</p>
<p>The rest is really what you make of it.</p>
<p>We're not a party school, but there are parties.</p>
<p>They aren't a walk down the street, however, you do basically have to know the people throwing the parties, or know people going to them and tag along. They are usually pretty fun though. </p>
<p>Anything else I can help you with, let me know.</p>
<p>hey, thanks so much for the info in quick time lol, GMU will probably be my second choice if I don't get into Virginia Tech, and so far GMU seems nice. Anyways I can't think of any more questions at this time but If I think of any, I'll keep posting, anywayz It's 1030PM here in Japan so I gotta get going, thanx for the info!</p>
<p>I dont mean to be negative or offensive but with regard to Patriots_Rock's comment about a lot of people not liking UVA and VT because of it is its "own little world"...but a lot of those people are probably just bitter because they didnt get into UVA or VT.</p>
<p>I didn't like UVa when i visited and VT is too cramped and crowded for me but I loved GMU, and I will probably get into all three. I will probably be going out of state but if I end up going in state it will most definitely be to GMU, a great school with a quickly growing reputation. Does anyone know anything about the scholars program? I am seriously considering my invitation but I would like some first hand stories about the program.</p>
<p>I have a daughter that is looking for a school in the DC area to go to after her senior year at another college. Probably not graduate school, but a completely different ug major. She is leaning towards Bio--how is GM in the sciences? Also, anyone have an idea on how hard it is to establish instate residency? She will have been in school in VA for four years and will work in Fairfax this summer. Would you recommend any other schools in NOVA that won't cost an arm and a leg?</p>
<p>I'll address many questions here:</p>
<p>VTEngineer: That is definitely not true. I know plenty of people who got into all three, and chose GMU over them because they wanted a smaller campus (which is still a good size, about 700 acres on main campus), and they didn't want to feel "stuck" in the town. At GMU, you can voyage into DC, Maryland, etc with no problem. So it's not at all that people are bitter, just preference. I could have gotten into both UVA and VT as a transfer, and didn't even consider them, because I've lived in small towns all my life, and I wanted that city feel, which I got.</p>
<p>Michaelburt: I don't know anything about the scholars program. I'm sure that if they offered you a scholarship, you'll do just fine though. </p>
<p>mkm56: They are close to finishing their first research building that is pointed towards bio sciences and other things (last I heard that's what it was for). In-state residency is just the same as any state I believe. Work in the state for a year, and you may claim in-state. Going to school in VA for four years won't be considered in-state residency since you're there for academics and not as a career. I personally wouldn't rank any other schools in Nova. The only other university is Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, and it's smaller and less reputed than George Mason. Moving up farther North, and you hit the DC privates. Since DC isn't really a <em>state</em>, there are no public schools. All average about 28,000 a year tuition. </p>
<p>Hope these help.</p>
<p>Thanks bravesfan. She is going to visit this month over her spring break.</p>
<p>Hi, current student here. I just thought I would put up some helpful links:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Dining info: <a href="http://jcweb.gmu.edu/services/dining/information_loc_hour_ff.html#%5B/url%5D">http://jcweb.gmu.edu/services/dining/information_loc_hour_ff.html#</a></p></li>
<li><p>Intramural Info: <a href="http://recsports.gmu.edu/intramural/%5B/url%5D">http://recsports.gmu.edu/intramural/</a></p></li>
<li><p>Program Board: <a href="http://www.programboard.gmu.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.programboard.gmu.edu/</a></p></li>
<li><p>Aquatic & Fitness Center: <a href="http://aquatics.gmu.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://aquatics.gmu.edu/</a>
(It's a great gym and a very short walk from President's Park)</p></li>
<li><p>Mason Sports: <a href="http://gomason.collegesports.com/%5B/url%5D">http://gomason.collegesports.com/</a>
(Men's Basketball are in the semi-finals today in the CAA Tournament)</p></li>
<li><p>Greek Life: <a href="http://www.gmuphisig.org/GMUhistory.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gmuphisig.org/GMUhistory.htm</a></p></li>
<li><p>Game Room: <a href="http://www.gmu.edu/gmu/game_room/home.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gmu.edu/gmu/game_room/home.htm</a></p></li>
<li><p>Patriot Center: <a href="http://www.patriotcenter.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.patriotcenter.com/</a></p></li>
<li><p>Cue Bus: <a href="http://www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp</a></p></li>
</ul>
<p>Hopefully I've been of some help. :)</p>