George Mason University Top Questions

What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

Brooke

I wish someone told be that either you'll have a difficult first or second semester in school. All I was told was that most freshman had a tough first semester. Well, this wasn't the case for me but I did have a tough second semester. After that, it's been tough ever since. Also, I wish someone told me picking classes becomes a challenge. I've experienced all this with facing limited course selection during certain semesters or not finding the professor I want. Since I'm in my major, I'm still balancing my major as well as my gen ed requirements. Unfortunately, my remaining gen eds include foreign language and science courses. Importantly, I wish I'd been told that college becomes more difficult after freshman year. Upperclassmen, especially sophomores, receive a lot less academic or transition support with their classes, their major, and navigating through school. People like to assume you know more past freshman year, but this is simply not the case.

Brooke

I wish someone told be that either you'll have a difficult first or second semester in school. All I was told was that most freshman had a tough first semester. Well, this wasn't the case for me but I did have a tough second semester. After that, it's been tough ever since. Also, I wish someone told me picking classes becomes a challenge. I've experienced all this with facing limited course selection during certain semesters or not finding the professor I want. Since I'm in my major, I'm still balancing my major as well as my gen ed requirements. Unfortunately, my remaining gen eds include foreign language and science courses. Importantly, I wish I'd been told that college becomes more difficult after freshman year. Upperclassmen, especially sophomores, receive a lot less academic or transition support with their classes, their major, and navigating through school. People like to assume you know more past freshman year, but this is simply not the case.

Danielle

I wish I would have known how much work I would have to put in my classes. Some of my classes, I put in more energy than necessay and lacked energy in the classes that needed more time.

Madison

I wish I would have known more about applying for financial aid.

Munazza

I always wanted to be in healthcare but due to some circumstances couldn't do it. I just found out Howard University has Physician Assistant program and I have applied for it.

James

I wish I would have known how the college financial aid system worked and when deadlines were. I got excepted after the FAFSA consideration for the 2014/2015 school year and didnt know I had to have it complete by March so I missed out on all of there internal scholarships.

Bethany

I wish I had known how little school spirit Mason has. I had heard good things about their basketball team, which made up for their lack of football team, but their rise in divisions has made them struggle and there isn't anything worth cheering for or supporting anymore.

Dustin

I wish that I had known more about the myriad opportunities to find internships and engage with professionals in my field of study. I have been able to meet many prominent political scientists and several of my favourite authors because Mason hosts so many events which draw them.

Gisselle

Something I wish I had known before attending George Mason is all of the deadline dates for on-campus jobs. As an off-campus student working part-time at an off-campus restaurant, at times the constant back and forth commute can get a bit hectic. Being able to get an on campus job would minimize commute time and would be very convinient during the school year. I also wish I would have known about all the different clubs and organizations that were available so that the due dates to join wouldn't have crept up so quickly.

Katherine

I wish I would have known more about the resources that GMU offers all students such as the Writing Center. Some teachers will offer extra credit on an essay if you take it to the Writing Center. There they have a staff of peers and graduates that will help any student improve thier essay and writing skills.

Soha

I wished I knew about the best places to park before I came here, I only figured it out later in college.

Morgan

That this school is a far bigger party school than I originally believed. If you're not in a sorority or fraternity, your social life can be pretty much non-existent. Likewise, I wish I had known the school doesn't offer much in the way of financial aid. Both of my parents are disabled, and can't help me pay my tuition, so I'm already $15,000 in debt with less than a semester in.

Raquel

Before I came to George Mason University I wish I would have known the advantages of joining the Honors College. The Honors College provides a vast amount of opportunities that aren’t available to regular students. They have smaller class sizes, unique learning communities, and are offered scholarship. Looking back at my application I think I would have benefited from selecting to be considered for it.

Faris

More of the locations

Ushna

Before I started attending George Mason, I really wish I had known how many of my credits had transferred from high school. Knowing that I already had 16, I would like to have attended summer school to try to graduate a year early. I would also have liked to know how big sororities and fraternities are. We have a lot at GMU, and even if you don't join one, it is important that you join something, because those people become you new family. If you don't learn to meet new people, you get lonely.

Angela

Financial Aid decreases after Freshman year.

LaDesha

I wish I would have known how important time management would be. Being that there is no parental guidance at school it is up to you to determine if you should go out with friends or stay and study for an exam. You are not told when you can or can’t go out, so it is up to you to be able to make wise decisions You must be able to balance you academic life along with your social life.

Adelaide

Where everything was. Maybe it's small compaired to other schools, but to me it was big and I didn't know where anything was. I suggest before attending take a tour and familiarize yourself with the campus.

Nicole

I wish I had known the amount of work load. I wouldn't say it unmanagableable, but it is more than I use to. I definitely helped to go to a community college first. It was a good transition between high school and a 4-year college.

Thomas

I was pretty well suited for freshman. There wasn't really anything that was hidden from me.

Rachelle

I wish I would have known more about the fast-paced curriculum that college has in general. Classes meet less times than in high school and it was very intimidating at first. Also, I wish I would have know more about the cost of books in college. Textbooks are very expensive in college and if I would have know this, I might have budgeted better before I came to George Mason.

Sarah

I wish I had known that my financial conditions do not support studying at a place like George Mason.

Elizabeth

I wish I had known that Mason existed so that I could have gotten there sooner.

Nathaniel

I live to discover and to test my abilities; if I had to know of anything beforehand, it would be just how much fun I would have at George Mason. That way, I wouldn't spoil my activities and challanges, but at the same time know of the excitement I would soon experience. I had a lot of fun at my late night study sessions at my friend's dorms, my time at the library, and the feeling of joy as I realize I am one step closer towards my goal of curing aging and cancer.

Kara

George Mason is a huge place and there is a home here for everyone, but the best way to get started is to get involved. I know this gets said often, but it's honestly true. There are so many clubs and organizations, there is a perfect fit for everyone, you just have to look!

Alicia

I wish I had known to be outgoing and join organizations to give myself the best oppurtunity to meet new people.

Maria

There are cheaper options than on-campus housing!

Patricia

I wish I had known that so many people went home on the weekends. I also I wish I knew how important sports and Greek Life were. There are many oppurtunities on campus, but I wish they were more well known.

Wenyi

I wish I could have know more people before I go to that school. It is new beginning when I go there this fall.

Kelsey

I wish I had known that getting involved right away is extremely important to foster friendships and to discovering the most that the campus has to offer.

Hyun

How the biology program was like

Tanika

Personally I'm not sure, because I attending school before I transfered to George Mason. If I attended George Mason first I just wish I would have known how expensive school really is and listen to my mother about saving.

Elizabeth

The "commuter school" aspect plays a big deal in minimizing school spirit.

Elizabeth

Before coming to George Mason, I wish I had known that I would have to pay out-of-state tutition regardless of my service to this country and that the Criminiology degree is really a Criminal Justice degree plan.

Carlene

I wish I had know about the limited and expense of off campus housing. I also wish the was a more flexible budget for paying tuition.

Sarah

That it was a medium sized university, and I wished i had known the area a lot better

Aja

I wish I would have known about the work load. As a student-athlete, there is practice, classes, study hall, and work. Knowing the prices of books and how many everyone would need would have helped also.

Thomas

Doing well in High School actually is important! That listening to teachers and visiting college students can really give you an edge over the millions of other students nationwide. Doing well in A.P. classes can really prepare you for college and save you thousands of dollars, and they're free.

Christine

Before comming to college I wish I would have had more experience signing up for classes and understand how that process works. Another aspect of life as a freshmen is getting involved. When I look back at my freshman year, I wish that I would have joined a sorority or become involved in another area of campus life. When you start late there is alot of catching up to do.

ehsen

There is nothing I truely did not know about this before attending it. I have had many friends and family who have graduated from this school and are doing well. I was knowledgable about the school even before becoming a student of the institution.

Sawol

I wish i knew how the atmosphere is on campus. Also i wish i knew how this school is turning into a commuter school.

Asma

In high school, it was fairly easy to get involved and take on leadership roles, but in college it's a little different. I wish I had known coming in, that I would have to put in a lot more effort and time if I wanted to be a leader on campus and get involved. There are lots of opportunities but unlike high school where teachers are there to guide you, in college it's all about individuality and showing what you can do. The time commitments for different activities are also far greater but well worth it.

Erin

I wish I had known that I wanted Public Administration as my major over Global Affairs.

Hoa

I wish I had known that GMU has become such a huge commuter school

Patricia

I knew that the weather was random, but not so random that it changes everyday. I wish I knew that it can switch sometimes from one extreme to the other.

Rebecca

I wish that I had known how serious you have to be about your course work in order to succeed. I treated my freshmen fall semester like I had treated high school and it wasn't enough. I did not receive the grades I had wanted or was used to earning. I got my act together and now, as a sophomore, I'm making all A's. I wish I had developed an effective study program for myself and I knew that college requires a lot of personal initiative.

Erin

I wish I had know about all the walking that one has to do around campus so that I could have brought better shoes, this maay sound trifling but it makes a difference.

Claudia

I wish I had known what I wanted for my future.

Aisha

The fact that this campus is part of many organizations regarding abroad programs. I wish I knew this to then have been able to make long term plans to study abroad for a year. The freshman advising did not work too well for me so I wish I were informed about the majors/job opertunities offered here before attending to actually have an idea of what to do.

Melissa

The financial aid package may not be very useful for many students. I, for example, am attending George Mason with no financial aid. Make sure you have a job on the side or some saved up money in your bank account if you find yourself paying 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} out of pocket.