Fairfax, VA
George Mason University

George Mason has provided an environment great for learning and living. There are plenty of academic opportunities through the school's location as well as through campus clubs and professors. There are so many ways to get involved, and there's an incredibly accepting and welcoming atmosphere.

This school was a mediocre college experience for me. Academically, the school has a lot it needs to improve upon. Many of Mason’s professors are not great educators and only work in the classroom because it is required to conduct research with the college. Mason also does not competitively teach it’s staff, and talented teachers often leave to work at more competitive schools. As a result, Mason has a lot of professors who are poor at teaching. My academic experience was fine for the most part, but that was because I constantly used RMP to avoid bad instructors. However, it’s not always possible to avoid them. Many of the electives do not have a diverse staff, and I encountered several very bad teachers in my elective social science courses. Personally, I feel like I got a very solid education while I was at Mason, but not everyone I knew was so fortunate. The housing situation was not ideal either. The dorms my friends and I stayed in were old and not exactly the most comfortable to stay in. To make matters worse, the school demolished all of the old dorms, devastating an already strained supply of rooms. Construction is also a problem at Mason. It never ends! There always seems to be some sort digging, building, or demolition happening around the school. While safety hasn’t been an issue so far, it is disruptive to student life, parking, and it’s not exactly pleasant to be around. Maybe the construction will come to an end one day, but it went on for years since before I arrived, and it has continued perpetually since I left. It is doubtful that the dust will settle any time soon. The parking situation is also bad and getting worse. The close parking lots are constantly jammed. The far-away parking lots have spaces, but they’re also a cross-campus trek away from your classes and dorms. Just hope that you don’t leave anything that you need to go back for. However, my *biggest* problem with GMU, by far, is it’s glaring lack of opportunities for students that other colleges proudly display. This is a very niche complaint, but there is NO football team and NO marching band... two of the biggest college activities in the US! Mason has a basketball team and a fantastic pep band, but there is so much more that the school should have. I know there are students and professors who want these things, but the school administrators seem to feel otherwise. For now, both athletics AND the arts seem to be on the back-burner of this construction-ridden, crowded, and frustrating school.

Overall, it is a solid university to anyone that wants to pursue a further education. While it may not be everyone's primary choice, it is still a great school with a multitude of options and opportunities that guarantee your success. It's localized in a very nice area as well, so there are a lot of options on what one could do when there is time.

I love the school, but I do believe some things can be fixed. For instance, our school needs to pay more attention to accessibility needs, such as elevators, ramps, etc. Also, our school should place more emphasis on safety regarding the ongoing construction; which they have been doing (but need to keep it up in the on coming years.) Essentially, I like the school because due to many factors (number of students, school size, etc) if you don't want to be involved in something, not only do you not have to even pay attention to it, but there will be something for you to participate in and enjoy. The school offers a variety of offices and resources from career services to LGBTQIAA, women and gender studies, and POC offices and other opportunities for students to easily use to further their education.

I decided to be a student at George Mason University because of it's location and academics. George Mason University is one of the safest schools in the United States located in Farfaix, Virginia which has a low crime rate. Fairfax County is also the second richest county in the United States. This means that, people who live in the area are well educated, have respectable careers, and it is a very safe area. People who live in the area mostly work for the federal government or in hospitals and many of them are Mason alumni. George Mason University offers over four thousand internships at institutions including the White House and National Institute of Health. George Mason University however does have large class sizes. For example, introductory chemistry classes have up to 200 students.

George Mason University is a great school over all. They have a nice campus which they are currently renovating. The construction can be annoying when walking through campus but is not unbearable and it does not disrupt class. There are shuttles that take you from one location on campus to another and they also take you nearby shopping centers. The shuttles and the city bus are free for faculty, staff and students.

George Mason University could be better in its transparency. It is well known by the student body that certain schools, such as the law school and economics department, receives funding from conservative think tanks like the Koch foundation which dictates who this department hires (ex: the recent hiring of the controversial Justice Kavanaugh to teach a summer course) and what values and topics can be taught (the naming of the Antonin Scalia Law School is very telling of the politics involved) but the university refuses to make this information public. Additionally, allegations of sexual assault and harassment are not given enough consideration and the victims are often left without due process, the construction on campus (which significantly obstructs traffic) also has created an unsafe environments for students. One positive aspect of the school is that it offers a wide array of majors for students so you get the opportunity to meet a lot of cool folks from all walks of life. That, however, does not make up for the aforementioned elephant in the room

One of the best decisions I have made in my life thus far has been my choice to attend George Mason University. As cliché as it may sound, Mason has felt like a second home from its supportive and inclusive environment. I believe Mason is much more than just the name of a college. That is why I have decided to write my review in an acrostic format since I believe Mason stands for more than just five letters. Music sparks spirit and energy throughout the stands of Eaglebank Arena at basketball games. Our number one pep band in the nation, the Green Machine, is one of the main reasons why students and fans come to sporting events. From doing covers of songs to dressing up according to the theme of the game, the pep band has gotten my friends and I pumped up for the basketball games. Academics is the number one priority for both faculty and students. There are countless resources on campus that offer you the tools necessary to succeed in the future. The professors at Mason are very helpful and will assist you whenever you are struggling in class. Whenever I struggled with a concept in class, the professor always helped and made sure I understood the concept completely. While the professors are there to help you, they also challenge you to be your best self. Sports are a stress-reliever for students to take a break from their studies. The spirit is extraordinary during the basketball games with the help of our pep band. Since I am a student-athlete at Mason, we are taught integrity and to bring excellence into everything we do. Organizations and clubs on-campus vary anywhere from the Super Smash club to the Poetry Club. There isn’t a club at Mason that a student would not find interest in. Organizations and clubs are one of the best ways to meet new friends and discover new experiences. New students, freshmen or transfers, are always welcomed with open arms at Mason. There wasn’t a time I didn’t feel welcome on campus. The older students guide the newer students and give tips on how to maneuver around campus. Being on the softball team was intimidating since I am on a team with older adults. My concerns were quickly set aside when I learned how welcoming and generous the other girls were when they were offering rides and making sure we knew what time practice was scheduled. Mason has provided numerous opportunities for me to reach out into the community and create friendships. I have been challenged through my studies and have grown in perseverance because of the academics Mason challenged me with. Though it may sound cliché, college can be a second home to you, and I must say that Mason is definitely like a second home to me. There’s no place like home, and George Mason is definitely home.

George Mason University is the ideal college to attend if one wants to achieve that best results for their education. GMU provides reliable resources for students which include; touring, job and career research, counseling and support groups and many others. The campus atmosphere may remind you of a cliche college scene from a movie with the number of students walking around, grabbing a coffee or playing frisbee. I enjoy the environment that GMU has created and although I am only in my first year of college, I hope that I will be able to continue my education on-campus. I have already made life-long friends and have been able to meet new and interesting people every day. Because I am such a people person, I have been able to meet people from all different kinds of backgrounds and I have been exposed to so many new things. Something that I was hoping would happen when I decided on GMU. Now I realized that it was probably the best decision of my life so far.

I love this school. I think it's a great school not only for the academics, but for student life and the campus as well. I'm an off-campus student, but I love being on campus and always being able to find something to do here. My experience so far has been really good. I suffer from a mental illness, and all of my teachers have been understanding and some have gone out of their way to make sure I have everything I need to succeed in class. Also, there are so many helpful (and creative!) resources for someone with a mental illness from individual therapy to stress-relief workshops. I'm excited for my future here and I'm happy I chose this school.