HOW TO APPLY

Oxford Honors Application Procedures

TO APPLY
UPON ACCEPTANCE
CANCELLATION POLICY

TO APPLY:

1. Carefully read through the Oxford Honors program website and make sure you are eligible for the program. Undergraduate applicants must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA minimum (3.3 cumulative GPA minimum for students in the Mason Honrs and University Scholars students) and graduate applicants a 3.8 cumulative GPA minimum in order to be eligible

2. Attend an Oxford Honors program information session at the Center for Global Education, JC room 235. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the program and ask any questions you may have.

3. Attend our Oxford Honors Gathering February 12, 2008 from 5:30 to 7pm (SUN II room 7) to meet returning Fall 2007 Oxford program students and hear about their experience.

4. Meet with your academic advisor and inform him/her that you are applying to the Oxford Honors program. If your advisor is unfamiliar with the British tutorial system, please have them contact Sarah Mournighan. With the assistance of your academic advisor, determine which tutorial topics you should take at Oxford to fulfill your degree requirements at Mason. You will find a list of possible tutorial topics on the Oxford Honors program website.

5. Submit your complete Oxford application packet to the front desk of the Center for Global Education. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications are due March 28, 2008 although we recommend that you turn in your application early as spaces are limited and the program is competitive. Your application package must include:

• Completed online application (Please note that you cannot submit your online application without the application fee)
  
• Recent typed writing sample in your academic field (no more than 5 pages or first 5 pages of your paper)
  
• A one page typed biographical essay and statement of academic objectives for Oxford (describing your background and academic objectives the Oxford program)
  
• Completed Oxford Petition Form listing 4 proposed tutorial topic selections (2 first choices and 2 back up topics should be specified) and get them approved by your academic advisor (or departmental advisor if outside your major). Petition forms must be turned in with your application and incomplete forms will not be accepted. Please keep in mind that you cannot make changes to your approved tutorial topics once you have completed and submitted this form.
  
• Paragraph descriptions for each of your 4 proposed tutorial topic selections (two first choices and two back-up choices). Please be as specific as possible in your short descriptions
  
• Completed Housing Preference form (form coming soon) where you will select your housing option preference. Please read the guidance notes carefully before completing the form
  
• 2 academic letters of recommendation from Mason professors whom you have had in class within the last year. They should evaluate your overall academic work. Recommendations should be written on departmental letterhead and should be returned to you to include with your application
  
• 6 identity photos (for your application file, NOT for a passport. You are responsible for getting your own passport).
  
• Your current official academic transcript (available from the Registrars Office). Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Graduate students and recent transfer students must also include official records from past schools)
  
• Record of meningitis vaccination (copy is fine) as required by Oxford University. If you have not had a meningitis vaccination, you do not need to include with application packet. You would be required to submit after acceptance only. If you have had the shot, you should include with your application packet.

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UPON ACCEPTANCE

1. Submit a non-refundable $2000 deposit to the Mason Cash Office (see instructions in your acceptance e-packet which will be emailed to you). If you are using federal financial aid, see step 2.

2. For Mason financial aid applicants only: Download an Oxford Honors program cost breakdown and submit it to the Mason Financial Aid Office to determine your student loan eligibility for this program. If you have been accepted into the Oxford honors program, pick up a Financial Aid Profile Sheet from Center for Global Education, have it signed by Tanith Fowler Corsi, and turn it into the Mason Financial Aid office for signature. This form then needs to be returned to Center for Global Education with all required signatures and loan amounts to ensure financial aid will be applied towards the Oxford Honors program.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Participants canceling out of the program will be refunded the total amount minus the $2,000 deposit up to 30 days before departure. Participants canceling less than 30 days before the program or during the program will not be refunded any portion of the program fee. If Center for Global Education cancels the program for any reason, participants will be refunded the amount paid. For payment questions, please contact Joanne Cabe or call (703) 993-4048.

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