George Mason University Top Questions

apply to more schools. even though i love it here, apply everywhere, keep your options open

I would probably tell myself week one will suck because your friend will die, but God will pull you through it and the rest will be awesome. It won't be easy, but you make a lot of friends, you find yourself, and it hopefully puts you on a good path. Also, make sure you watch when homework is due for classes and read your math book before class!

I would tell myself that George Mason is better than what you actually thought it would be, but try to visit more colleges to compare to George Mason so that you don't only have one opinion.

I would tell myself to truly work hard for what I am passionate for. I have regrettedly made some decisions that I wish I could have taken back, so if I had the chance to do it again, I would care more about my school work. I would also tell myself to manage my time and make time for things that I wanted to do. I learned that in college it is much more than academics and more about an experience and learning .

What you do at the college is important, not the college itself. I would say that choose a college that you can easily afford, or the one that gives you the best financial aid, but also choose a school that has abit of good reputation. Balance between financial aid and the school itself. Go to school, make lots of friends, and make sure to have fun while studying, because thats what really matters. You will be glad that you chose to go to your college if you have lots of fune and learn alot in the process. Good luck!

Make sure that this is the college for your child. When making a decision weigh out the pros and cons about for perfect school based on your expectations.

Picking the right university is a tough choice. Many students make the mistake of not looking through all their options and settleing for something familiar. We are lucky to live in a country with these many options for higher education and we should take advantage of these opportunities. Try to narrow down your choices, such as whether you would like the school to be in an urban or rural setting. Or, whether you prefer a large student body or one with 2,000 students. Even though, living on campus is more expensive and can be hard to adjust to, the college experience only happens once in a lifetime and will be worth the cost. But many students do not have this option. The university that I am attending is mostly a commuter school. I know of friends who simply go to class and leave campus as soon as their classes are over. They do not feel like a part of the school and their college experience can get quite lonely. This is why I recommend that students get involved in extracurriculars. There are plenty of clubs and intramurals. Get involved and do not be afraid to meet people.

Go to the campus and check it out. Reading about it is nothing like living it. Talk to the teachers and administrators. See how diverse it is, and the different way that one can learn. Check out their school activites, and organization...you must always find something that you can fit in!

My advice to parents and/or students about finding the right college would be to do your research on the school and when you get accepted, narrow your choices down and definitely visit the school. College open houses can tell you a lot about how campus life is. Everyone's standards are different concerning how far the school is from your home or financial circumstances but all you need is time to think it out. Do not rush your decision. I would say you can make the most of your college experience by attending all of the events possible and just getting involved. It's always good to go out even if you don't know anyone. That is how you meet people, by leaving your room. Even if it's just for a walk around campus, if the student body is friendly enough and welcoming, you can make new friends in an instant.

Make sure the student feels at home and in an environment that he or she can grow both intellectually and personally.

I know that my first couple weeks of college were pretty lonely and my advice to students is to find out what your campus offers to you as soon as you arrive. Don't just sit in your room doing homework. Go out and find out what sports and organizations they offer right away and it will honestly make the experience so much better for you. You cannot find yourself by sitting alone, you find who you really are and who you are meant to be through the people that you meet and the things that you do with the time you are given.

I would stongly encourage making ful usage of campus tours for any colleges the student it thinking about. The right college is noticable when doing a tour and you feel like you fit on the campus, that is when you know that is where you should be. I highly recommend keeping your options wide open, because you never know. In high school I had my heart set on James Madison University in Harrisonburg, and I ended up at George Mason University in Fairfax. They have two completely different lives around them, with different feelings of the campus. I am glad I choose George Mason University. To make the most out of your college experience is not to hold back. Be open to all options of interest at the college campus, never turn anything down. Having an open mind for all that comes your way brings a better social experience and better understanding of yourself and belonging at campus.

All four year colleges have the same basic curriculum. The first two years involve many university and college/department specific requirements, and then the next two years involve electives and requirements for the chosen major. A degree is a degree no matter where it is earned. Tuition pays for a high caliber academic experience whether a student decides to attend a community college or Harvard. But en route to finding the right college, the best advice I can give is to find a school atmosphere that is comfortable for the incoming student. It is difficult to concentrate on studies when a student is somewhere that does not fit into their comfort zone. For many, it is the first time that these young adults are living away from home, away from the safety net of loved ones and familiar places. It is difficult to succeed when a student cannot settle themselves comfortably into a new home. Joining extracurricular activities may help develop a bond with the university and students, but it is not the solution. Once a sports practice is over, a student must still return to the same dorm room, the same cafeteria, and the same college life.

n/a

I would advise students to think of their main interests and future career goals when deciding which college to choose. Also, students should take into account the location and size of colleges before making a decision. Students should also take a tour of the campuses they are applying to before making a decision because they can learn a lot about the university by taking a college tour. Once students get to school, they should go to the freshmen activities that are scheduled during new student week. This is a good way to get involved on campus and meet new people. During this week, new students can become familiar with the different organizations and clubs that their school has to offer. Also, if the students live in a dorm they should make an effort to get to know the people who live on their floor, these people can become good friends. Lastly, students should attend class and take good notes. If students need extra help outside of the classrooom, they can go to their professors office hours or go to their schools tutoring center.

In choosing a college, you must first consider your strengths, passions, goals, and needs. After narrowing your choices by your price range, your should select those schools which have programs in his preferred area of study. Once this has been done, you should visit your favorite colleges to determine which atmostphere and location best suits your preferences. Upon choosing a college that fits your educational goals and lifestyle, you can begin immediately to make the most of your experience. You should research the school to discover what it offers in the way of student organizations, on-campus job opportunities, religious groups, internships, and other things in which the student is interested. Before you have settled into the rigours of academics, you can meet group leaders to express interest. I would recommend not officially joining a group until you are sure that your homework load will allow full dedication. Schoolwork must always take precedence over extra-curricular activities, however, never sacrifice your social life entirely. Key to a fulfilling college experience is this balance between school and fun, to keep this balance, I recommend finding an older person, perhaps an upper-classman, parent, friend, or professor, to help you keep it.

College is a discovery process. Everyone probably wants to graduate from college, but what does that really mean. They have to ask themselves that, those four years that students spend there yes are primarily for education, so after those four years are up what are you going to do. The realization does not seem to set in on most students. Parents understand a little more about the after-college life. Finding the right college is difficult but it really depends on what you want, do you want to party your way through an easy Bachelors or work constantly at maintaining a high GPA. The choice is up to you, measure the quality you will receive, time is not something to be wasted doing what you dont think is worth it.

I would advice parents to allow their children to attend as many college visits. It is important for the student to like the college enviroment. Another advice is not to prevent a student from going to college because of Money issues. There is so many oppurtunites avaible that preventing a child from going to school they want because of money trouble would be bringing a big unnessesary obstacle to the child's future.

I would definitely recommend visiting the schools you are considering and instead of going on a campus tour with a student ambassador, visit the school during a school week if possible. Or visit on a weekend during a semester. This will give you a better idea of what the campus life is like-you can always ask students questions and I'm sure they would help you out. To make the most of your experience don't be afraid to meet new people or try out new clubs.

The best advice for parents and students is to work together and to listen to each other. Parents and students should explore campuses they are interested in together and discuss their visit afterwards. I feel the more open they are with each other the easier the process can be and the more comfortable everyone feels with the finalized college selection. It is wise for students to evaluate colleges by considering programs each college offers and how well established their department of interest is at the college. It is always smart to review the professors and classes offered at each college. It is also neccessary for students to be honest with themselves and to think about where they feel most comfortable. This helps students decide between college locations, size, and other aspects of college life. One of the most important things to consider with each college is the cost and the amount of assistance each college is willing to provide. The cost should not be the determining factor, but cost should be considered and planed for properly. Once students select a college, they should enter college life with confidence and an open mind to different people and opportunites while being safe.