George Mason University Top Questions

My major, Government and International Politics, is taught by uniformly fantastic professors and is filled with ambitious, active students. General ed. classes at Mason are not as good. You can expect slacker students (what college doesn't have those?) and some of the professors are going through the motion. Most, however, are just fine. The foreign language department is bad. If you can, get a 3 or high on an AP language exam and exempt out of foreign language at Mason.

Excellent, despite some classes being too easy occasionally. Grades are easily obtained if you're smart because professors will often curve.

My first year at George Mason, I participated in a program called "New Century College". NCC is a smaller learning community that is great for students who are intimidated by the large student population at GMU. New Century College's First Year Experience consists of four, six week long units that are eight credits each. Because of the fast pace, I would not suggest procrastinators attempt this program. It does, however allow for a one on one experience with the professor, and close student bonds, as they are often asked to work together on projects. Be sure to ask the admissions office for more information on this program, I believe it to be one of the university's best kept secrets.

Academics as Mason are awesome. THere are a lot of different course studies available for students. Most of our classes are a lot more diverse considering all walks of life come here from different parts of the world so our academics reflects that.

The dynamics of the classroom will depend on the class. In most of my lower level classes for my majors, Physics and Astronomy, with over 150 students per class, participation was difficult, but the professors were always willing to provide help outside of class in office hours. In my upper level classes, class sizes were so small, rarely over 20, that competition was not likely. We generally tried to help everyone succeed, often splitting up homework assignments or forming study groups. The department was always willing to help decide which classes to take, provide opportunities for advising and research opportunities.

The academic atmosphere that Mason has to offer is very impressive. Professors make an effort to learn about their students, while sharing personal experiences about themselves. Students activiely participate in class discussions, broadening their views on real world events. Diversity can be seen in every single classroom. One of the great benefits of being in the Northern Virginina/Washington, D.C. area is that GMU employs some of the most qualified professors to teach at every level. One of my favorite aspects of GMU academics is our use of adjunct professors. Especially as a government major, I am always pleased to have a professor who has practiced what they preach. For a comparative politics class, I had a professor who worked in the military for thirty years, negotiated foreign policy in Greece, and now works at a think tank in Washington, D.C. The stories he would tell my class were amazing, and this was at a 100-level course! But, learning does not come only from the professors. In that same comparative politics class, I had classmates from Iran, Iraq, Albania, Algeria, Great Britain, and Egypt. It is one thing to learn about this countries from a text book. It is entirely different to hear what really goes on from first-hand experiences of my classmates. And, everyone can speak freely and opening about current situations because that is the kind of tone Mason sets for its students. We embrace diversity and only want to enhance our learning of one another.

The lower level/general education classes are usually pretty big. Professors don't get to know you unless you make the effort to see them before or after class, or during their office hours. My favorite class was taught by a Captain with the local police department. He made a 3 hour class go by fast. He always had interesting things to talk about, kept the students attention, and always had the best guest speakers. My least favorite class was chemistry. It just didn't click well with me. The Administration of Justice Department was an excellent place to be. The classes were small, and the professors took time to get to know you. The department offered many classes that gave me an overall view and understanding of the criminal justice system. I took what I learned and used it in my internship I did my last semester. They let you do an internship for up to 12 credits which helped me out a lot.

Academics are exceptional. Most the classes have old people who are much more motivated than the students who goto college at a normal age. This makes the classes harder because they bring up the learning curve with their damn studying.

academic advising struggles in some departments, but Mason is working on improving this.

Starting at Mason, I thought that I wanted to major in Accounting. After my first year, I realized that I needed to change majors, so I studied the different majors offered and settled on Conflict Analysis and Resolution. I had never heard of it before, but it is perfect for me! There are three different focuses within the major: Personal, Community, and Global. The major's main research interests are religion and conflict, dynamics of change in conflict, identity issues in conflict, reflective practice, and connection between globalization and conflict. I've never heard this offered before at any other college, and I was very excited!

Classes here are really what you make them. Professors are not going to hold your hand to help you learn the material. They expect students to take an interest and make an effort outside of class to learn the material as best they can. That said, Professors are very open to questions and available for students to offer help...to those that make an effort to do the work that is. As long as you are willing to do the work and open your mind to new ideas, everyone can do great things here at Mason.

I'm only a freshman so I am not too education on this. I took a different direction that most students in their first year called New Century College and it was interesting. It was more writings and readings but with little or no tests involved. It is a lot more work but a good way to make the transition from high school to college.

I like the academics here I find them challenging, but I also know I can always find help my professors do know my name and are always avialable either by email or in person.

The sizes of the classes are good at GMU. Professor's attempts to know the students varies, but many try their best to get to know the student's names. Class participation is common but that also varies depending on the type of people in the classroom. I do not spend any time with my professors outside of class, but I have spoken to a few on occassion and they have been very helpful and friendly. I feel okay about GMU's academic requirements. I feel that a lot of the students are not competitive, compared to students at other schools that have a lower acceptance standard.

Most professors know my name, since my biggest class so far has been with about 50 students. The rest of my classes are small- of about 20 people, and the professors valule the one on one time, to get to know students better. So far I havent spend time with professors outside of class, but especially in the Art department, if I ask for this extra time especially in studios, they have been willing to help so far. The education here is definetly geared towards getting a job, not just for learning. For example, in my favorite class so far, Typography, when given certain projects, the professor actually treats us like we are her coleagues, and talks to us just like in a professional, job setting.

In New Century College I know a lot of the professors and staff, which I love. It's comforting to know that people there know be my name and know a lot about me. It's nice to have an extended family when you're so far away from home! NCC is also great at helping with academic things as well. They're always getting the word out to their students about upcoming events on campus and will always listen and help you when you're in a bind about planning your class schedule or doing assignments.

As inconspicuous as you might try to be, your professors to much surprise will know your name 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time. Even if you are in a lecture hall of over 250 people, your professor will make an effort to know your name, or even understand you personally. I remember going into a friends psychology class my first semester to compare my class to hers, and the the professor had spent half the class period trying to figure out who I was with awkward glances towards me, while offering extra credit to certain individuals who she knew smoked habitually extra credit if they'd successfully stopped smoking by the semester's end. If you're in a small class setting, there's no question your professor will get to know your thought process. From papers, to conversations in class, you'll certainly notice the personal insight your professors will put into feedback as the semesters progress and you develop a relationship with your professors. Even if you're shy, your TA's will no doubt make an effort to help you, even when you're afraid to ask: in my STAT class, my TA would ask me "hey, did you forget to turn in your last assignment?" and if I had in fact forgotten, he'd take it right then and there, and if not then he'd make sure he'd gotten it on file. At this point, as a freshman, GMU is what you make of it. I'm still taking general-education classes and getting a feel of what I want to do and what Mason has to offer, but over time I can see Mason being beneficial to things I'd want to do towards my careers.

Because I'm an art major, I rarely have classes bigger than 20 some people, which is nice. Every single professor i've had so far actually knows a lot about what they're teaching and is actually interested in the subject themselves. GMU requires you to take general education courses (which will probably take you a total of two semesters unless you come in with credits from AP or IB tests) which is a little bit obnoxious to those who have a clear picture of what they want to major in. Otherwise, they're actually relatively interesting. I took courses that I ended up loving, like Indian Dance and Human Geography, that I wouldn't have taken. As for courses within my major, my professors have been amazing. It's hard to have art teachers with good critiques and advice in a field so objective, but I've had four and all of them have taught me something.

the reason that I chose George Mason is it has one of the best History programs in the nation. Professors are great and are really knowledgeable about the topics they study. George Mason has one of the best Liberal Arts educations offered, and has some award winning professors at its disposal.

Do professors know your name? · Some do, some don't Tell us about your favorite class. History 125 with Peter Stearns, brillant and nice guy Least favorite? · IT 103 a gen ed How often do students study? · LOL No Is class participation common? · Depends on the class. Major classes yes. Gen eds no. Do GMU students have intellectual conversations outside of class? · Some do, you have to find the right friends Are students competitive? · Not really, the school is too big for that What's the most unique class you've taken? · Queer Theory Tell us about your major / department. · Global Affairs major, interdisciplinary degree Do you spend time with professors outside of class? · Yes, but I'm in a Living Learning Community I don't think most people do outside of office hours How do you feel about GMU 's academic requirements? · Middle of the road Is the education at GMU geared toward getting a job, or learning for its own sake? - Job