George Mason University Top Questions

I think the best thing about GMU is it's location to Washington D.C., great campus, and good sports teams. Those were my big three factors when deciding on a college. One thing I would change about GMU is the campus police. For some reason the George Mason is way to over protected. I know you want to feel safe on campus but I've seen the GMU police in under-cover cars giving kids tickets on campus. C'mon now. Also GMU is obessed with giving violations to students that are caught drunk on campus. It's college, lighten up. I spend most of my time on campus in the JC or Presidents Park. The JC reminds me of Penn Station in NY haha. Its also flowing with people going every direction. One of the biggest controversies on campus is parking. Now I know George Mason is working on the parking situation, but I making freshman park in West Campus parking lot, is cruel. It takes no joke, 30 mintues just to get to your car on the shuttle bus. My all time record spent on the shuttle bus, 42 mintues! I love the school pride at Mason. Everyone wears Mason gear and many of my friends that have visited have commented on that. Its great to see on campus.

Diversity: Must have more diversity-based organizations. Large school: Needs more campus housing. Not everyone knows GMU. In my room. Administration is very customer care based. Not allowing Michael More to come to campus. Yes, Mason Patriots are full of spirit! That we are going to the NCAA once again! My job at OFPS. Parking.

Usually, when people find out I go to Mason they don't react at all. We talk about how it is a good school in general and I honestly believe that. However, we also talk about how boring it can be. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't getting anything out of it, though. Freshman year was really fun and I slacked off. The kind of people coming into the school are, like I said, more average and sort of all very similar, though, so that sort of excitement definently dwindle as the pool of people became more static. Mason's terrible about financial aide. It's trying to include more people in groups and events which is good. I don't have any great memories tied to the school itself except the location maybe. We would climb on buildings. That's a tie to school I suppose.

GMU is an alright school, it's too big for where it is, and it advertises as a comuter school, yet there is NOT enough accessible parking for the comuters. They close the parking lots to do construction, but don't think about the needs of the student body.

Big campus, well landscaped and well kept, very safe at all hours. You can find work around town pretty easy. You don't need a car, there's a bus that runs through Fairfax and will get you to the DC metro, so you have access to the city and all that comes with it.

The best thing about GMU is the diversity. Students are from all walks of life, which is an eye-opening experience and beneficial during class discussions. I think the school is a great size. It is nice to be able to walk around campus and see familiar faces, but also have the opportunity to meet new people all the time. For a long time, people would either not know what GMU was or would mention it being such a commuter school. I think the basketball team's Final Four appearance helped us to gain recognition and boosted school spirit.

Mason is a medium sized campus that is great academically and socially. It's not really a college town, and when people say Mason is a commuter school, they're right because you have to drive everywhere in Fairfax.

Best thing about GMU is all the stuff ya can do. Tons of frat or sorority parties. The people are cool. Everyone is really relaxed and it isn't stressful.

30,000 rejects packed into an ugly campus that has nothing worthwhile within walking distance, no parking to speak of for the majority of commuter students, a BOV that refuses to accept the "commuter school" term and tries to package it in something less depressing. A school paper that would make tabloids sick over the poor writing. No creativity to speak of. Laughable attempts by students trying to make the school either a liberal-elitist vegan enclave or a frat-boy paradise of rap-metal and beer pong. A police force that answers to no one and breaks up any attempts at fun that the few students living on campus might try to have. A Taco Bell without chalupas or mexican pizzas. "Smart" classrooms without smart teachers or smart courses. Having said that, the majority of women on campus are absolutely stunning.

The best thing about GMU is the size of the university and it feeling like a very secluded campus (unless you commute). Leading to what I would change, traffic/parking is horrible. In addition, the university is VERY bureaucratic. I think overall the size of the university is a plus, but at the same time, that size makes things very problematic. Most people don't know where GMU is, which is a shame. I spend most of my time on campus at the Catholic Campus Ministry Chapel because there are always people hanging out there. GMU administration is horribly inefficient, though they are making things better. They seem to be wanting to meet the needs of the students more recently. The biggest controversy on campus lately? I can't think of much, other than they continually bring in democratic candidates and events and VERY liberal and OFFENSIVE events such as the "Vagina Monologues" or a Sextravaganza. They are all about free speech until it is traditional; they do stuff like make the RA's pass out condoms but they won't let them put up information about abstinence, etc. School pride is lacking. Except for men's basketball, the sporting events aren't very popular. People always wear other college clothing. I will always remember the Final 4 Run in 2006. Most student complain about the lack of diverse food choices, be them healthy or just different. We have had mostly the same food all of my 4 years, and there is no room for a private food place to come on campus because of the agreement with our dining services; it's horrible!