Come to Campus; It's Worth the Trip
The best way for you to see if George Mason University is the right fit for you is to visit in person and experience the Mason Nation.
Because we are a diverse, inclusive community committed to the well-being and success of our students, you’ll never get lost in the shuffle—because there isn’t one. It doesn’t take long to go from feeling like a newbie to feeling like a true Patriot. We want every student to have an empowering, enriching college experience that will take them far both in their personal and professional lives.
Mason has something for everyone. But these facts alone don’t tell the whole story. You have to see it to believe it. Check out our various on-campus events and come visit us to experience the Mason Nation firsthand.
Join us for an information session and campus tour. Then, if you have the time, head into Washington, D.C., to experience everything the nation's capital has to offer. Whether you visit us in the spring and experience the National Cherry Blossom Festival, in the summer, when there are endless concerts and shows, or in the fall, when the Potomac River’s hiking trails can be seen at their most beautiful, you’ll have an incredible experience and leave with a great Mason memory.
Tours and Events
All tours listed are for the Fairfax Campus.
Whether just beginning your college search or making your final decision, visiting campus is a great way to get to know us better. Choose from our many visit options and come see what it’s like to be part of Mason Nation! Take a tour of campus, learn about the admissions process and more in an information session, sit in on a class, attend a performance, or cheer on the Patriots at an athletic event.
Prospective Freshmen
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Saturdays: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Ongoing
Offered throughout the year for high school students interested in learning more about Mason. Your visit starts with a 30-minute information session led by one of our admissions counselors. Following the information session, a Mason Ambassador, who is a member of our student volunteer group, leads you on a fact-filled campus tour. The whole program generally lasts about one hour and 45 minutes.
Please check-in 10 to 15 minutes before the start of your session. Weekday tours are conducted out of the Mason Tour and Visitors Center on the ground floor of Alan and Sally Merten Hall (look for the green welcome sign). Carefully review your pre-visit communication in the event of a location change.
Summer weekend tours are conducted out of the Mason Tour and Visitors Center on the ground floor of Alan and Sally Merten Hall (look for the green welcome sign). Most academic-year weekend tours are conducted out of the Johnson Center.
Select the date and time you'd like to visit on our tour calendar. Although tours are offered year-round, tours may be scheduled only up to two months in advance. Please check back regularly if the month you’re looking for is not yet available. If you experience any difficulties, please contact visit@gmu.edu
Click here to schedule a tour.
Most Fridays, 12:30 p.m., Ongoing
Interested in smaller class sizes, priority registration, and a more challenging and innovative curriculum? The Honors College provides academically talented students in all majors with an enriched academic and social environment that enhances their college experience. Information sessions are offered most Fridays throughout the school year and provide students and parents with information on the honors curriculum, Living Learning Community, and the University Scholars program. You will also meet with an Honors College staff member and student.
The session lasts 30 minutes and begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. Please check in 10-15 minutes in advance at the Mason Tour and Visitors Center, located on the ground floor of Alan and Sally Merten Hall. A tour of campus is not part of this session and we recommend you also attend a general information session and tour.
Register for an upcoming session.
If you are unable to attend a scheduled Honors College information session, please contact Eva Bramesco, Assistant Director for Honors College Admissions at ebramesc@gmu.edu
We welcome organizations and high school groups with 15 or more students through our high school group tour program. Priority for these high school tours is given to schools and groups bringing students from underserved populations. Group tour requests must be made at least one month in advance, and there are no guarantees that the date and time will be available. Group tours include an information session and campus tour only. If you would like to eat on campus during your visit, specify on the registration request. Dining requests will be met based upon availability.
If your request is approved, you will be contacted by email or phone with further details. If you have not received confirmation your visit is not officially booked. Please do not make any travel arrangements until you receive a confirmation email.
We have currently filled all of our availability for Summer 2019. We will be posting our calendar with Fall 2019 availability in August. Please check back then.
Please remember that your tour is not confirmed until your receive an email confirmation from us. Also, priority for high school tours is given to schools or groups bringing students from underserved populations.
If you are an individual that would like to visit campus, please see our Information Sessions and Tours section.
For specific questions or concerns, please contact Carla Goodwin, Admissions Counselor, at cgoodwi6@gmu.edu
Transfer Students
Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., Ongoing
Information sessions and campus tours are offered throughout the year for those interested in transferring to Mason. Your visit starts with a half-hour transfer admissions information session led by our Transfer Coordinators. Following the information session, a Mason Ambassador, a member of our student volunteer group, leads you on a campus tour. The whole program generally lasts about two hours. You may schedule a tour up to three weeks in advance.
Please check in 10 to 15 minutes before the session begins in the Mason Tour and Visitors Center, located on the ground floor of Merten Hall (look for the green welcome sign).
To sign up for a visit, please click on the following link: Upcoming sessions
To arrange a visit for a group of more than 10 transfer students, please email Rachel Cleaver, Associate Director of K12 Partnerships at rcleave2@gmu.edu.
Questions About Transferring to Mason?
The Office of Transfer Services is here to assist you. Please visit us in the lower level of Student Union Building I, where we offer walk-in appointments daily. Our staff looks forward to helping you transition to Mason.
More information about the Office of Transfer Services
Please see the Visit Mason tab on our Newly Admitted Students page for further information.
Wednesday March 6 – NOVA Manassas
Admissions Presentation for SDV class: 1pm – 1:50
MH110 Counseling Office
Thursday March 7 – NOVA Annandale
Admissions Appointments: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Place: CA 105A
Wednesday March 20 – NOVA Manassas
Admissions Appointments: 1pm – 4pm
Place: MH110 Counseling Office
Tuesday March 26 – NOVA Loudoun
Admissions Appointments: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Place: Check NOVA website or call NOVA Loudoun Counseling Office
Wednesday March 27 – NOVA Alexandria
Admissions Appointments: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Place: Bisdorf 195A
Thursday April 4 – NOVA Annandale
Admissions Appointments: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Place: CA 105A
Wednesday April 17 – NOVA Loudoun
Admissions Appointments: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Place: Check NOVA website or call NOVA Loudoun Counseling Office
Wednesday April 24 – NOVA Manassas
Admissions Presentation for SDV class: 11am – 11:50
MH110 Counseling Office
Graduate Students
If you would like to learn more about graduate admissions requirements for your specific program of interest, we recommend that you connect with the academic unit that coordinates your program. Graduate schools, colleges, and institutes at Mason offer program-specific information sessions and events throughout the year. Please visit https://www2.gmu.edu/academics/graduate-programs to find your program and learn more about opportunities to visit and connect.
K-8th Grade Students
Mondays Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., By Request
Looking to create a meaningful experience to as many K-8th grade students as possible? Our team has created a new and efficient registration system that caters to schools and organizations looking to bring their students to campus. Our job is to teach students what it takes to get to college by giving them the opportunity to tour a college campus (sometimes their first), view presentations of the admissions, financial aid, college choice processes, and the opportunity to eat at one of Mason’s dining halls!
Requests must be made at least one month in advance, as there are no guarantees that the preferred date and time will be available. You will be contacted by phone or email if your request is approved with further details. If you have not received confirmation within a week of your requested group tour date, you are not registered. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received a confirmation email.
Register for a group tour.
Contact Cristian Pineda, Admissions Coordinator, K-12 Partnerships, for specific questions or concerns.
Weather Notice
Inclement weather notices for Mason are posted on the Mason home page, and also on our information phone line at 703-993-1000. Information sessions and tours will be canceled if the university is closed, or if classes are canceled. Please make sure to check the website before traveling to see if weather may be a factor.
Whitetop/Rogers Residence Hall
Mason students sit inside the Whitetop/Rogers residence hall on Fairfax campus. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
The Green Machine performs.
Doc Nix and the Green Machine perform at the New Student Convocation at the EagleBank Arena. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Mason Madness
Mason Madness. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
George Mason and Performing Arts
The Statue of George Mason in front of the Ronald & Nancy de Laski Performing Arts Building.
Doc Nix at TEDx Conference
Michael "Doc Nix" Nickens speaks to guest during the 3rd annual TEDx conference at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Photo by Craig Bisacre/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Freshman Move-In
Freshman Move-In in The Commons and Rappahannock Neighborhoods at the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Craig Bisacre/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Observatory Tower
Students walk near the Observatory Tower of Research Hall and Enterprise Hall at the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Aquia Neighborhood
Student walking in the Aquia Neighborhood in front of Rogers residence hall. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.
Instructional Technology Classroom
Graduate students in Shane Gallagher's Instructional Technology classroom. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.
Permaculture Design Certification
Students enrolled in a Permaculture Design Certification Course practice design exercises and explore how permaculture principles and strategies could be adopted to their own garden, farm, or building construction. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Spring Preview
Zoe Firgau, a Mason Ambassador, speaks with admitted students and their families during Spring Preview, George Mason University's largest admitted student open house. Photo by Craig Bisacre/Creative Services/George Mason University.
Exploratory Hall
Students walk near blooming tulips at Exploratory Hall at the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University.
