George Mason University Top Questions

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

More of the locations

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.

Financial Aid decreases after Freshman year.

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.

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.

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.

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