Center for Global Education

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Information for Incoming Students

All direct exchanges are offered in the spring or fall semesters only. No summer exchanges are possible.

All inquiries regarding Direct Exchange Programs should be made to dstepan1@gmu.edu or 703.993.2154

If You study at one of our partner institutions, then you can study abroad at George Mason University! Located just outside of Washington, DC, the capital city of the United States, George Mason University is an innovative and entrepreneurial institution with a growing and diverse student body and exceptional faculty of enterprising scholars. International students may spend a semester or a full year living and learning on the Fairfax Campus.

Spring Semester Dates:
mid January - mid May

Fall Semester Dates:
late August - mid December

Your semester or year will begin with an orientation program hosted by the Office of International Programs and Services. During the orientation you will be introduced to campus life, academics, health services, student activities, and more. Orientation is also a great opportunity to meet other international students at Mason. Once classes begin, you will take courses and can participate in any of the many student organizations and recreational sports teams on campus - there are hundreds to choose from, no matter what your interests!

Students at Mason generally take 4-5 classes per semester. Most classes count as 3 credits, which equals a total of 12-15 credits per semester. You must enroll in at least 12 credits to maintain proper visa status. Classes are offered in 4 levels in the undergraduate system, with 100 level courses at the introductory level, 200 level courses equal to intermediate and 300-400 level courses equal to advanced. Most direct exchange students take courses at the 200 and 300 levels, but you are advised to consult with your academic advisor at home prior to selecting courses to ensure that you can transfer your credits upon completion of your study abroad.

You may take courses from most departments in the university, but some restrictions do apply. Make sure to check course listings and note any necessary pre-requisites. In most cases, you will not be allowed to register for courses if you have not taken courses equivalent to the pre-requisites at your home institution prior to studying at Mason. You may browse all academic departments available here.

Some examples of popular programs include:

For more information on the university's course offerings, please consult the course catalog. Select "courses" on the left side of the screen and then enter department name or topic to see all related courses available. Please note that all courses listed may not necessarily be offered the semester/year that you study abroad. To find out if a course is offered during a specific semester, please check the schedule of classes and then select the semester and year that you plan to study at Mason. If the course schedule is not yet available for the term you will be at Mason, you may try contacting the specific department to inquire about specific classes.


Eligibility

Direct Exchanges are open ONLY to international undergraduate students from the universities listed above.

Please consult with the study abroad office at your home university to determine your eligibility and application requirements.

You must be at least in your fourth semester and have the equivalent of a 2.50 cumulative GPA or higher. Non-English speakers must have a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 88, minimum of 20 points/section (internet-based test), 230 (computer-based test) or 570 (paper test) OR a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Unfortunately, we cannot accept the Institutional Testing Program (ITP) exam.

Tuition fees are paid to your home university. You must pay a $500 administration fee to the Center for Global Education upon your arrival at Mason. You will also pay room and board, and international student health insurance directly to Mason. Be prepared to pay these fees within your first week on campus. Please note that international airfare and other personal expenses are NOT included.


Application Procedures and Deadlines

Fall Semester - March 1
Spring Semester - October 1

*We can often accept applications later that this date. Please have your study abroad office consult our office if you need an extension.

The Center for Global Education must receive all of your application materials, along with a nomination letter from the study abroad office of your university by the dates listed above. Incomplete applications may lead to delays in processing. Please refer to the Application Procedures/Checklist when preparing your application packet. Do NOT send your application materials to the Office of Admissions. Your study abroad advisor must send your application packet to the Center for Global Education on your behalf.

The following documents must be submitted with your application:

Do NOT send your application materials to any office other than the Center for Global Education. Your program officer in your study abroad office should send your documents for you, along with their nomination letter. Once the Center for Global Education receives your application materials, a Program Officer will process your application and notify your home institution of your acceptance. Your CGE Program Officer is available to assist you both before your arrival and once you are at Mason.


After Acceptance

If accepted, your study abroad office will be notified by email. Then, you will be issued an official acceptance packet by postal mail which will include the appropriate documents to support your application for a J-1 visiting student visa at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is your responsibility to log on to the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) website, pay your SEVIS fee to the Department of Homeland Security, and schedule your visa interview as soon as you learn that you are accepted. You are advised to wait until after receiving your visa to purchase your airfare.

You will also need to complete the following forms after being accepted to study abroad at GMU:


Housing and Dining

Undergraduate exchange students are guaranteed housing in residences on our main Fairfax Campus. Unfortunately, graduate exchange students must find their own accommodations but the Center for Global Education will provide you with some helpful information to aid your search. There are many houses and apartments near campus that often rent rooms to students temporarily but you are recommended to begin looking for housing as soon as you confirm your acceptance. Undergraduates will register for housing before arriving at the university. Information on housing registration will be included in your acceptance packet, but you may view your options and rates here. (Note: Dorms in Presidents Park and University Commons are reserved for first-year students.) Do not worry about securing housing until after you are officially accepted. Although the Center for Global Education will reserve housing for you and facilitate this process, please keep in mind that housing on campus is very limited and that we cannot guarantee your first choice.

International students will be assigned to housing with Mason domestic or other international students. Rooms have a bed, desk, dresser and closet for each student. You can compare housing facilities and see the amenities listed for each on the Housing website. Students are expected to bring their own bed linens, towels, toiletries and other personal items. There are several shopping centers located a short bus ride from campus where you can buy these items once you arrive. Some dorms have kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. No matter which option you choose, you will find that living on campus is a great way to make friends and allows you easy access to classes, sports facilities, and the many activities that are available at Mason.

As a direct exchange student you will be required to purchase a university meal plan to be used on campus unless you are assigned to a dorm with a full kitchen. (The only dorms with full in-suite kitchens are Northern Neck, Rogers, Potomac Heights, Liberty Square, Student Apartments, and Townhouses.) Dorms without full in-suite kitchens may have kitchenettes (refrigerator, sink, and garbage disposal) or shared floor kitchens that you can reserve for use if you like to cook for yourself occasionally. Different meal plans are available and include a variety of dining options are available from buffets to a la carte dining and national brands (such as Burger King, Starbuck's, and Taco Bell) to satisfy your hunger. Catering to a diverse student population, Mason Dining Services can accommodate nearly everyone, including vegetarians and those with special dietary needs. View different meal plan options here.


Finances

After arrival on campus, you will need to make the following payments in U.S. dollars to the Center for Global Education and the Student Accounts Office.

  1. $500 administrative fee paid to the Center for Global Education (by cash or credit card)

  2. Mandatory International Student Health Insurance Policy, paid to Student Accounts. Fees for the 2013-14 academic year are pending. (Fees for the academic year 2012-13 were $844/fall semester or $1,311/spring.)

  3. $3,200-4,325 fee for double occupancy Student Housing, paid to Student Accounts. Please note that single rooms are very limited and cost between $3,400-4,325. Triples are also very limited but rates are lower, ranging from approximately $2,717-3,450.


Useful Links for Incoming Students

The following links will give you more information on studying and living at George Mason University.