Undergraduate Admission Policies

• Introduction
• Admission Procedures
  • Applying for Admission
  • Application Deadlines
  • Early Admission
  • Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees
  • Right to Withdraw Offer of Admission
  • Admissions Committee
  • Other Stipulations
• Freshman Requirements
  • Test Requirements
• Acceptance of Offer of Admission
• Transfer Requirements
  • Transfer Credit
  • Credit to Be Earned at Other Institutions
• Admission of International Students
  • General Requirements
  • Freshman Requirements
  • Transfer Requirements
  • Additional Requirements for International Applicants
• Re-enrollment after Previous Attendance
• Re-admission after Attending Another College

Admission Procedures

Applying for Admission

Application for undergraduate admission should be made to the Office of Admissions. Application forms are provided on request or are available on the Internet at www.admissions.gmu.edu/onapps.html. A nonrefundable and nontransferable fee of $30 must accompany the application. Catalog information, the Schedule of Classes, tuition information, campus events listings, and departmental information are available at www.gmu.edu.

Application Deadlines

The priority application deadline for fall admission is February 1 for freshman applicants and June 1 for transfer applicants. The application deadline for the spring semester is November 1. Applications for the 2002-2003 fall and spring semesters may be submitted starting July 1, 2001. George Mason encourages early applications from freshmen who wish to be considered for academic scholarships. 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 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.

Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees

The university offers a number of Bachelor's/Accelerated master's Degree programs for academically strong undergraduates with an interest in research, or graduate and professional studies. Admission to these programs is competitive. Information and application packages are available in the schools, colleges and institutes.

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 George 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.

Freshman Requirements

The following factors are considered when reviewing freshman 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 Assessment Test I (SAT I) and/or the American College Test (ACT), and/or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Results of a personal interview
• Essay
• Secondary school report

The Admissions Office evaluates applications after all required materials have been received. Applicants who apply by the priority deadline date are notified of decisions by April 1. All other applicants are notified on a space-available basis.

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	2	3	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	4
Foreign Language	2	2	0	4	3	3
Other Academic Electives	3	3	3	5	4	3
Total	17	17	17	24	22	23

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

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

Test Requirements

Freshman candidates for admission are required to take the SAT I or the ACT. All non-native English speakers are also required to take the TOEFL. Official test scores should be sent directly from the appropriate testing service.

Acceptance of Offer of Admission

The university complies with the national 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, orientation, 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 regionally accredited colleges or universities. Transfer applicants 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 and test scores. All non-native English speakers are also required to submit a TOEFL score or acceptable grades (C or better) in at least two English composition/literature classes taken at another university/college.

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 2.000 on a 4.000 scale on all collegiate work attempted. Successful candidates for admission usually have a minimum of 2.500 on a 4.000 scale. Students on active social or academic probation, suspension, or dismissal are not eligible for transfer admission.

Transfer applicants who have been out of school for a semester or longer, excluding summers and school designated breaks, must provide the Admissions Office with a statement describing activities during this period. A resume may be submitted in lieu of a statement.

Transfer Credit

In general, credits are accepted from regionally accredited institutions, provided that a grade of C or better has been earned in the course, and that the course content is equal to that offered at George Mason University. Transfer credit is not granted for study in non-accredited institutions.

Forty-five credits of upper-level course work are 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.

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 or visit the web site at www.admissions.gmu.edu.

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 also applies to courses taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.) 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.

Admission of International Students

General Requirements

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 February 1 for the fall semester or October 1 for spring enrollment. The deadline is enforced to ensure adequate time to process applications. Forms I-20 for F-1 immigration status and Forms IAP-66 for J-1 status are issued by the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS).

Applications from international students are reviewed with all other applications. Students in the English Language Institute should consult the Admissions Office for application procedures. Applicants with permanent residence in the United States and nonimmigrant visa status must meet freshman or transfer admission requirements as described previously. 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

1. Freshman applicants must submit certified copies of all secondary/high school transcripts in the original language along with an English translation (if applicable). Results of any leaving certificates or university entrance examinations also must be submitted.

2. All freshman applicants are required to submit satisfactory scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT).

3. Applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the SAT I or ACT examination.

4. A minimum score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL or 570 on the paper-based 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; website: www.toefl.org.

Transfer Requirements

A transfer student is a student who has completed a year or more of course work at a college or university. In addition to the requirements defined for all transfer applicants, international transfer students must meet the standards listed below:

1. Transfer applicants from American colleges or universities who have not completed one year of English composition or one year of English literature with grades of C or better must also submit a satisfactory TOEFL score.

2. All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be evaluated and translated before an admission 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. A list of suggested evaluation agencies is available in the Admissions Office or at www.naces.org.

3. International students in F-1 status 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 pertaining to their visa status.

2. Applicants must 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.

3. Students enrolled at the university on F-1 or J-1 visas must maintain full-time status each semester (12 credits undergraduate, 9 credits graduate), excluding Summer Term.

4. 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 immunizations are current. The immunizations required are measles/mumps/rubella, and tetanus/diphtheria. A tuberculosis screening, and hepatitis B (series of three) and meningococcal vaccines are encouraged.

5. 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:
   
   
   • 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.
     
     
   • 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.
     
     
   • The student must show proof that the coverage is valid until August 19 of the following year.
     
     
   • 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.
     
     
   • 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.
     
     
   • 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.
     
     
   • Insurance coverage derived from unauthorized employment will not be accepted.
     
     
   • 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 class 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 Previous Attendance

Students who have missed two consecutive semesters of enrollment (excluding Summer Term) 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. International students requiring F-1 or J-1 status must consult with the Office of International Programs and Services for instructions on obtaining a new immigration document (I-20 or IAP-66).

Re-admission 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 reapply to the Office of Admissions as a transfer student.