Undergraduate Admission Policies

• Introduction
• Admission Procedures
  • Applying for Admission
  • Admissions Home Page
  • Application Deadlines
  • Early Notification
  • Early Admission
  • Right to Withdraw Offer of Admission
  • Admissions Committee
  • Other Stipulations
  • Freshmen Requirements
• Test Requirements
• Acceptance of Offer of Admission
• Transfer Requirements
  • Transfer Information Sessions
  • Transfer Credit
  • Credit Earned at Nonaccredited Colleges
  • Credit to Be Earned at Other Institutions
  • Study Abroad
• Admission of International Students
  • General Requirements for International Students
  • Freshman Requirements for International Students
  • Transfer Requirements for International Students
  • Additional Requirements for International Applicants
• Re-enrollment after Preivous Attendance
• Re-enrollment after Attending Another College

Programs with limited space may require a second review process for admission.

Admission Procedures

Applying for Admission

Application for undergraduate admission should be made to the Office of Admissions on forms provided upon request. A nonrefundable and nontransferable fee of $30 must accompany the application.

Admissions Home Page

Admissions applications are available on the Internet at http://www.admissions.gmu.edu/onapps.html.

Catalog information, the Schedule of Classes, tuition information, campus events listings, and departmental information is available at www.gmu.edu.

Application Deadlines

Undergraduate applications for fall admission should be submitted no later than February 1 for freshman applicants and March 15 for transfers. The application deadline for the spring semester is November 1. The university reserves the right to close applications before published deadlines if conditions so warrant. Admission decisions for freshmen are usually made after the first-semester grades of the senior year and all appropriate test results have been received by the Office of Admissions. Transfer decisions are made as files become complete. Admission is contingent upon satisfactory completion of in-progress course work and graduation from high school.

Early Notification

Fall freshman applicants who apply for admission before December 1 are reviewed automatically for early consideration. Successful candidates are notified beginning in December and continuing until January 15. If an early decision cannot be given, the student's application is considered at the time all other applications are reviewed and evaluated. Early notification is non-binding.

Early Admission

High school juniors who have completed high school graduation requirements except for senior English and government may, with the approval of their high school guidance counselor or principal, apply for admission and thereby enter the university one year early. Applicants should present above-average grades, SAT/ACT scores, and a high school course of study demonstrating rigorous academic preparation for university-level work. Candidates for this program must arrange an interview with the dean or director of Admissions.

Right to Withdraw Offer of Admission

The university reserves the right to withdraw offers of admission if applicants fail to satisfy all requirements before the closing of spring or fall registration, or thereafter, if it is determined that admission was obtained through the use of falsified, altered, or embellished information. In the instance of withdrawal of admission from a matriculated student, credit earned at Mason may be withheld.

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee reviews undergraduate admission decisions and appeals.

Other Stipulations

The Office of Admissions or the Admissions Committee may make other stipulations or recommendations regarding the admission of an individual.

Freshmen Requirements

The following factors are considered when reviewing applications for admission:

• Cumulative high school grade point average for course work completed in grades 9 through 12
• Level of difficulty of course work elected throughout the high school years, particularly in English, mathematics, laboratory science, and foreign language
• Scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Test (ACT), and/or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Results of a personal interview

The Admissions Office evaluates applications after all required materials have been received. Applicants are notified of decisions in the first week of April.

To ensure that applicants with unusual qualifications are not denied admission, the above criteria are applied flexibly. Applicants with unusual qualifications should describe them in the narrative section of the application for admission. Personal interviews and recommendations are required unless waived.

The following table specifies the minimum units of college preparatory work required for admission, as well as the minimum units recommended. The recommended units reflect the typical high school program of students who have succeeded in competing for admission in recent years. Columns (1), (2), and (3) refer to the following categories:

1. Students applying for a Bachelor of Arts [excluding those in category 3], Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Music program, or with an undeclared major
2. Students applying for a Bachelor of Science degree program, excluding those in category 3
3. Students applying with an intended major in pre-business, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, mathematics, or physics

One unit equals one academic year of study.

	Required Minimum				Recommended Minimum
	(1)	(2)	(3)		(1)	(2)	(3)
English	4	4	4		4	4	4
Social Studies	3	3	3		4	4	4
Mathematics*	3	3	4		4	4	5
Laboratory Science**	2	2	3		3	3	3
Foreign Language	2	2	0		4	3	3
Other Academic Electives	3	3	3		4	4	3
Total	17	17	17		23	22	22

* Selected from algebra I, algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, functions, math analysis, calculus

** Selected from biology, chemistry, physics, or other advanced lab sciences

Test Requirements

Freshman candidates for admission are required to take the SAT or the ACT. Official test scores should be sent directly from the appropriate testing service.

Acceptance of Offer of Admission

The university complies with the College Board candidate reply date of May 1, but encourages students to confirm their intention to enroll by returning the confirmation card before that date. Prompt confirmation of the offer of admission qualifies students for early advising, registration, housing, and other services. Candidates approved for admission must confirm their intention to enroll. Failure to comply may adversely affect the applicant's reserved space.

Transfer Requirements

The university accepts qualified students who wish to transfer from other colleges. A transfer applicant who has completed at least 30 transferable credits must submit official transcripts from each collegiate institution attended. Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 transferable credits must also submit a copy of their secondary school record.

Application for admission as a transfer student is competitive. To be academically eligible for consideration, a transfer student must present a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale on all collegiate work attempted. Students on active social or academic probation, suspension, or dismissal are not eligible for transfer admission.

Transfer Information Sessions

Students who are considering transfer to George Mason are encouraged to attend a transfer information session. Sessions are held each Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Office of Admissions, and generally last about one hour.

Transfer Credits

A student transferring into the university receives a formal evaluation of transfer credit following acceptance of an offer of admission. The student is responsible for seeing that the Office of Admissions receives official transcripts of all work taken elsewhere.

In general, credits are accepted from institutions accredited by the appropriate regional association, provided that the credits carry a grade of C or better and that the courses are of a content equal to those offered at George Mason University.

1. A maximum of six credits may be transferred from correspondence courses sponsored by regionally accredited institutions.

2. Forty-five credits of upper-level course work is required for graduation. While lower-level courses taken at previously attended institutions may meet the content requirement of some upper-level courses, they do not reduce the 45-credit requirement.

For students enrolled on a campus of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), Northern Virginia Community College campus counseling offices maintain supplies of printed transfer information. Other VCCS institutions provide information from a computer database, the Transfer Assistance Profile (TAP), located in VCCS counseling offices throughout the commonwealth.

The university fully supports and complies with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia's Policy on Transfer. Students who have questions concerning transfer issues should contact the Office of Admissions.

Credit Earned at Nonaccredited Colleges

Transfer credit is not granted for study in noncollegiate institutions, except in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (B.I.S.) degree program. Transfer credits from nonaccredited colleges are tentatively evaluated upon admission to the B.I.S. program. Transcript information is used for purposes of advanced placement, and transfer credit is recommended after the performance of the student at George Mason has been established.

Credit to Be Earned at Other Institutions

A student who applies for admission to the university to profit from its educational programs would not normally be expected to seek simultaneous credit enrollment at another collegiate institution. In those unique situations when a student seeks to enroll in credit courses at another collegiate institution concurrently, the student must obtain advance written approval from the appropriate George Mason dean. (This rule applies to courses taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area as well.) This process permits a student to enroll elsewhere in a suitable course unavailable at George Mason. Catalog numbers and descriptions of courses to be taken elsewhere must be submitted with the request for approval. Students who enroll elsewhere without advance written permission while enrolled at George Mason may not receive transfer credit for course work taken at other institutions.

Study Abroad

The university recognizes the educational value of travel and study abroad and encourages students to broaden and enrich their education through approved international programs. Through the Center for Global Education, the university assists students who wish to participate in international study programs administered in cooperation with academic departments.

Students interested in studying abroad for a semester, a year, or as part of a short-term program over the summer or winter breaks should contact the Center for Global Education, where a library on opportunities for study abroad is housed. Before departing, students must have programs approved by the center, by the department chair supervising the major field, and by the appropriate dean. They must also attend an orientation program organized by the Center for Global Education.

For more information about the center, see the University Programs chapter.

Admission of International Students

General Requirements for International Students

Application for admission to the university by international students holding or seeking F-1 or J-1 visas should be made directly to the Admissions Office before January 1 for the subsequent academic year. The deadline is enforced to ensure adequate time to process applications.

Applications from international students are reviewed with all other applications. Students in the English Language Institute (ELI) should consult the Admissions Office for application procedures. Applicants with permanent residence in the United States and nonimmigrant visa holders must meet freshman or transfer admission requirements. Admission to the university is competitive; therefore, while minimum standards ensure that an application will be considered, they do not guarantee admission. The number of offers of admission that the university can make is determined by the number of applicants, the qualifications of the applicant pool, and the amount of available space. In addition to overall admission requirements, some schools and colleges have individual requirements for acceptance into the major. (See school or college admission requirements.)

Freshman Requirements for International Students

1. If applicants have not completed a year of work at a college or university in the United States, they are required to submit a satisfactory score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT).
2. Persons whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the SAT or ACT exam.
3. A minimum score of 570 on the TOEFL and 4.5 on the TOEFL essay are required for an applicant to be considered for admission. Official test scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. Information concerning the time and place of the TOEFL can be obtained from TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, CN 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA. Phone: (609) 921-9000.

Transfer Requirements for International Students

A transfer student is a student who has completed a year or more of work at a college or university in the United States. In addition to the above requirements, international transfer students must meet the standards listed below:

1. International students (F-1 or J-1 visa holders) transferring from American colleges or universities must complete the equivalent of a year of college-level academic work (30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits) before admission to George Mason University. The academic work must include a year of college-level English composition.
2. Transfer applicants from American colleges or universities who have not completed one year of English composition and one year of literature with grades of C or better must also submit satisfactory SAT or ACT, and TOEFL scores.
3. Transfer applicants from non-American colleges and universities are required to submit satisfactory scores on the SAT examination.
4. American citizens and/or permanent residents whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the SAT.
5. All transcripts must be evaluated and translated before an admissions decision can be made. The applicant is responsible for the timely translation and evaluation of documents and for all costs and fees associated with these services. (Suggested evaluation agencies are World Education Services, Inc., P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10011; Credentials Evaluation Services, Inc., P.O. Box 66940, Los Angeles, CA 90066; World Educational Credentials Evaluators and College Planning, P.O. Box 726, Herndon, VA 22070.)
6. Students must complete immigration transfer procedures no later than two weeks after classes begin at George Mason University in the semester for which they have been accepted. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services for additional information at (703) 993-2970.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

In addition to the academic requirements mentioned above, international students must meet the following conditions:

1. All international students must comply with current U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations.
2. With the application for admission, a student must present certified documents on subjects studied, grades received, examinations taken, and degrees earned from all secondary schools, colleges, and universities attended. Records of state or national examinations and certificates are also required. Students must establish that they have completed at least the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. Non-English documents must be presented in original form, with certified translations.
3. Applicants must also provide a completed George Mason University financial statement accompanied by a current bank statement verifying that funds are available for the first year and will be available for subsequent years. Yearly expenses are estimated to be $24,000 (subject to change). International students may be required to have their financial resources verified by an American banking institution.
4. Students enrolled at the university on F-1 or J-1 visas must maintain full-time status each semester, excluding summer session (12 credits undergraduate, 9 credits graduate).
5. All new students at the university must submit an Immunization Requirements Card signed by a health professional. The form must verify that the student's inoculations are current. The basic immunizations required are polio, DPT, measles, mumps, rubella, and TB screening. A hepatitis B vaccine is encouraged.
6. Health insurance is mandatory for international students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Students are required to purchase the policy arranged by the university unless an exemption is granted by the Student Health Center. To be exempted, the student must submit evidence of an alternative insurance policy that meets the following criteria:
   1. The plan must include coverage for repatriation ($7,500) and medical evacuation ($10,000). This means that, in the event of death or serious illness, the insurance policy will pay to return the student to his or her home country.
   2. The coverage must be for at least $100,000 per year with no more than a $500 deductible for noncovered expenses incurred before coverage is granted.
   3. The student must show proof that the coverage is valid until August 19 of the following year.
   4. Exemptions must be obtained by the final add/drop day of the student's first semester at the university. Continuing students are required to establish eligibility for an exemption by the final add/drop day of each fall semester.
   5. Students with the following sponsored foreign government plans are automatically eligible for exemptions: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Hariri Foundation, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Malaysia (MSD or MARA plans only). These students must show proof of coverage by the final add/drop day of the student's first semester, and continuing students must renew their exemptions by the final add/drop day of each fall semester.
   6. International students are required to purchase insurance for the entire year. However, if a student graduates or terminates attendance before the end of the insurance year, the student must submit a written request with proof of return to the home country for a prorated refund.
   7. Insurance coverage derived from unauthorized employment will not be accepted.
   8. The health insurance premium is due with the tuition payment and is assessed by the Office of Student Accounts. Late fees may be assessed if the premium is not paid by the date established by the Cash Office. Failure to pay or obtain an exemption results in the cancellation of registration and/or financial suspension. All F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled and covered by the insurance plan unless an exemption is obtained.

Re-enrollment after Preivous Attendance

Students who have missed two consecutive fall or spring semesters of enrollment at George Mason may re-enter the university (providing they were in good standing when they left) by completing a Re-Enrollment Form available through the Registrar's Office.

Re-enrollment after Attending Another College

An undergraduate student returning to George Mason following an absence during which he or she studied at another institution, without prior written permission of his or her academic department, is considered a transfer student and must re-apply to the Office of Admissions as a transfer student.