<p>Thanks fhshortie08 it does help a lot, anyway do you personally like it at GMU? Why or why not? (with reasons) Thanks</p>
<p>Chazman0426 - </p>
<p>I have mixed feelings about GMU. The first two weeks of my freshmen semester was awful. I had no close friends and I was lonely and homesick. Thankfully, my situation turned for the better and I became close friends with my roomate, her friends, and others I had met on my own. </p>
<p>Personally, I find Mason to be pretty boring; however, I don't get out much since I don't have a car. A typical weekend for my friends and I consist of watching movies, sleeping in, playing pool at the game room, playing cards, eating at Ikes, going to the gym, etc. It's not like party in the Park! Then again, you have to realize this is coming from someone who doesn't participate in the greek life or other clubs. Even though I'm not involved with those stuff, I'm happy at Mason. </p>
<p>To sum it up:</p>
<p>I like Mason because: I have close friends here, DC is close by, the College of Information Technology & Engineering is great, tuition for me is cheap, it's very diverse, there are free movies, there are pool tables, there are intramural leagues, they have a great gym, I work on campus and make $, sometimes there are big events like concerts at the Patriot Center.</p>
<p>I don't like Mason because: it's a commuter school, it gets really cold sometimes, sometimes it feels like there's nothing to do.</p>
<p>Why do you want to go to GMU?</p>
<p>fhshortie08: What do you mean it's not like a party in the Park? Has it settled down from before? It used to be that everyone just went balls out crazy in the Park and were drunk like 4-5 days a week.</p>
<p>I mean it's not like a regular college where people hang out outside and party. There are people playing some football or frisbee, smoking hookah, and whatever. I'm sure there are students in the Park getting drunk in their rooms and such. I guess the cops are cracking down on it though because I know people who have been caught and have to go to "court" and someone who has been kicked out. I guess when the weather warms, there will be more activity around the Park, but it's pretty dead right now.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply fhshortie08. I am intrested in GMU as my second choice college. Basically, Virginia is the state where I get in-state tuition so I narrowed my college choices down to Virginia. I'm a military brat too so I move around every few years and am now living in Okinawa, Japan. But anyway I've lived in VA for a few years and have some family there so I pretty much consider Virginia Home. Last summer I visited George Mason University, as well as Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has been my top choice and I am currently awaiting to see if I get in, but its looking slim being how competative tech is this year. Out of the other colleges I visited, I liked GMU second. Christopher Newport was a very good school, but Id rather go to a college near DC since I lived in Arlington (VA) before a few years ago before moving to Japan, and I know the area, and there's more to see and do. UVA I don't have the stats to get in, and Virginia Tech is much better for Engineering than UVA, since I want to major in Computer Science/Engineering. Anyway to make a long story short, GMU is my second choice because it's a fairly good school from all the people and sources I have been looking at and talking to, and seeing all the construction and expansion, GMU definatly has a lot of potential and is growing rapidly. I just have a few more questions, you said the Information Technology and Engineering is good, how is it good?( I put my major as computer science and or Engineering) How are the professors? How is the work load? Is it easy to find jobs on campus? (I'm a certified lifeguard, do they have any openings for students at the GMU pool?) Also, how is the social scene at GMU, like is it easy to meet people and hook up and such? How are the people, are they nice? I know this is a extremely long entry, but thanks so much for your info? This also goes to anyone else who goes to GMU.</p>
<p>Yeah fhs: park is always dead when the winter is colder. Usually when it's warm there's always people playing soccer, football, basketball or just relaxing.</p>
<p>chazman0426: I'm from the CNU and ODU area, and let me tell you ... those schools are flat out boring. Mason is a godsend compared to those schools.</p>
<p>I'll try to answer some more questions for you.</p>
<p>The social scene isn't a walk in the park. You can't just step out of your room, walk down the street, and hit up a row of parties.</p>
<p>Anyone who lives off campus is spread throughout the city (same with fraternities) so basically if you want to go out to a party, you have to get a ride. However, if you get that ride, the parties are typically fun and worth it. I've been to some huge non-rush parties with hundreds of people, but the more typical parties are like 30-40 people. </p>
<p>The ITE school is good. I'm a computer security major. Although all the way through your 100 and 200 level courses (except for 221) it's a breeze. However, it gets more challenging and fun in the upper level courses. My program is part of the information security office here, which is recognized by the NSA as an academic center of excellence. One of only 20 or so colleges recognized for this. </p>
<p>The construction has been crazy. In 2002, the college consisted of about 4 dorm complexes, and like, 7 or so academic buildings. Now the college consists of about 7 dorm complexes (with a big one being built now) and about 10+ academic buildings with many more to come.</p>
<p>I heard they received a 142 million dollar grant. Mason is the up and coming school, since it's young, it has work to do, but it's definitely acceptable.</p>
<p>Mason is a huge commuter school, and they are fixing that. I think right now it's about 75% commuter still. However, 2 years ago it was about 85% commuter. THe reason this will be the 3rd dorm complex in the last 4 years being built is because they just don't have room for people wanting to live on campus. There are still people living in hotels becasue they can't get on campus housing. They started moving freshmen into upper class dorms because they didn't have room. </p>
<p>The professors for the ITE school are very good in my opinion. A lot of them are part time professors who work full time in the field and then teach part time. Therefore, you tend not to get the "out of the book" professors and more of the "this is what you will be doing when you get out of college" professors. So real life experience is always brought into the discussions and make it interesting and in my opinion, you learn more that way.</p>
<p>Meeting people was easy for me, but it's not for everybody. You can't walk in to class, sit next to a random person and say "hey, what's going on this weekend?" .. one thing people say is Mason has cliques, and it's true. However, that's with every college.</p>
<p>Most people aren't bad, they tend to be nice. Some are just too high on themselves, yet once again, you'll find that anywhere you go. </p>
<p>More on the social scene: One thing I like about Mason is that it's not a huge party school. I like this because I don't have distractions during the week. Starting Thursday though, there are plenty of places to drink and party (if you know the right people). If you're a female, and like to party, we have 13 fraternities ... any given night one will be having a party. So females should have no problem partying like crazy. Guys is a little harder, either you go Greek, or know them. I know them, I party a lot with them, and it's really fun. </p>
<p>It just all depends.</p>
<p>ODU: bad area, commuter school, but near the beach ;)
VT: good choice for your major and overall its a great school</p>
<p>I dont know much about the computer science department because my major is Information Technology w/ a concentration in network security. I know that GMU was the first in the nation to establish a Ph.D. program in IT though, but I dont that helps. The professors are alright, but I wouldnt know about the engineering professors. Heres a link to the computer science faculty if you want to look them up on <a href="http://www.ratemyprofessor.com%5B/url%5D">www.ratemyprofessor.com</a>. There are several adjunct professors too, which means they teach while they work in the corporate world too. Sorry, I cant say how the workload will be either. Personally, my first year has been pretty easy, but thats only because most of my classes are gen. eds. </p>
<p>Its easy to find a job on campus if you know where to look. I accepted the work study offered to me and I checked into most of the places on campus that were hiring on the list given to me at financial aid, but most of them had been filled, so I just took my resume and walked around campus, going into random offices and asking if they had any work study positions available. Thats how I got the job I have now. Its great that youre a lifeguard because I think the Aquatic & Fitness Center is looking for more lifeguards. <a href="http://www.gmu.edu/service/aquatics/employment.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.gmu.edu/service/aquatics/employment.html</a>
If anyone wants to know other places that hire around campus, just ask.</p>
<p>It is easy to meet people and hook up. Just be friendly and outgoing. I met my current boyfriend at the pool hall about a month into last semester. And yeah, I think the people here are generally nice.</p>
<p>bravesfan: sorry, I was going by what I had seen so far in the park and I wasn't thinking ahead. Anyways, are you still on campus?</p>
<p>Haven't been here for a while- so I want to thank everyone for giving info on GMU. I think my d is sticking to her initial gut feeling that GMU is too much of a commuter school, so I don't think she'll be going there. But I think the school has incredible potential and will evolve into a very exciting campus. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>fhshortie: i live in a townhouse off campus now, but i frequent liberty all the time. </p>
<p>marny1: it definitely is a commuter school, and if she's from the area, i wouldn't recommend her going here. if she's not, she'll enjoy it as it's so close to DC, Georgetown, etc.</p>
<p>Hows the campus? Is it beautiful or very small and ugly looking?</p>
<p>I'd give the campus a 7/10. It's not small, but it's not huge. It's a little under 700 acres. </p>
<p>I think the campus will be very nice when all the construction finishes, but taht won't be for a while. It's a nice campus when the trees are bloomed, etc. In the winter, it's just ... well, a campus with dead trees.</p>
<p>This info was exactly what I needed thanxs. I have a few question for Mason students. I have practically decided on Mason(my other option is American but they gave me crappy aid) since I got good money but I am unsure about its academic and commuter status. How is the government program and are the classes intellectually stimulating? Is there a good mix of of liberals and conservatives? a good mix of jocks, hippies, different people? I have read its really boring on campus and since I will be living on campus it worries me. Is it that hard to meet people? is there any advice for having a positive freshman experience? thanxs</p>
<p>I've been reading all of your posts and they have been very informative. We are visiting schools currently with my d who is a HS junior interested in either a university with a good fine arts program or stand alone art school. How is GMUs art department?</p>
<p>K, back with more information</p>
<p>Government: Yes, good mix of liberals and conservatives. They have clubs for college democrats and college republicans, so you'll enjoy that. I know some people in the government major, and they say it's really good. Internships are pretty easy since we're right near the Nation's Capitol. Oh, and there's a good mix of hippies, etc etc. It's the #1 diverse school in the Nation. You'll see everything from a standard preppy to a full-blown acid head.</p>
<p>Boring campus? Hrm, if you don't know people, sure. If you're a freshmen, and you live in the park, you'll meet people. President's Park is a pretty big drunkfest last I heard. All I know is that if people didn't have fun over the NCAA Tournament, they won't have fun anywhere. Those 3 weeks were amazing. Also, a lot that says "this campus is sooooo boring" or "GMU has NOTHING TO DO" either don't go out, or commute. Keep that in mind. One thing I say about Mason is it's two huge groups: Commuters and Non-Commuters. fhsshortie will tell you if she ever comes back that she's seen plenty of people coming back hammered every weekend, etc. Just depends on where you hang out, who you hang out with, and if it's your thing.</p>
<p>The arts department: My girlfriend of Arts and Visual Technology and from her courseload, coursework, and syllabus' that I studied, it looks like a good major. They also offer dance, theatre, and many others. From what I know, it's a good major.</p>
<p>OH, and I meant to respond to a PREVIOUS post by fhsshortie about how peopel aren't just outside the park drinking and stuff. No college is like that, in fact, most of these party schools that you hear about are dry campuses, which means you can't have alcohol in dorms at all. Thus the reason everybody moves off campus.</p>