Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
When is the application deadline?
How many students are accepted each year?
Which selection criteria are most important for admission into the program?
Are most students funded?
How long does it take to complete the program?
Is there housing at GMU?
What does parking cost on campus?
What is life like at GMU?
How do I apply?
You can download an application here. You will need to print the form and mail it to:
Graduate Admissions MS 2D2
119 College Hall
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
If you need more information, you can contact the Graduate Psychology office:
You can also have a hard-copy application mailed to you: http://admissions.gmu.edu/EMail/.
When is the application deadline?
PhD: January 1
MA: March 15
How many students are accepted each year?
It depends on the number of applicants, but usually 2-4 PhD students and up to 10 MA students per year. For the PhD program, we could probably accept 4 if we had 4 strong applicants.
Which selection criteria are most important for admission into the program?
For the PhD program, the most important criteria is probably matching a faculty member's research interests. If you are to be funded, you need to want to work on something your advisor wants to do research on. Second is proven ability, including grades and GPAs, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. We do pay attention to these. The personal statement tells us who you are and is also important.
For the MA program, good GREs and grades are probably equally important to your match within the program. We do take strong students who are not a perfect match with faculty.
Are most students funded?
All PhD students are guaranteed funding with teaching and research assistantships. MA students may also receive funding, but only after all PhD students have been covered. Some support is available through research grants, and sometimes teaching. We try to help students find local jobs (for example, at USGS or CleverSys), and at surrounding universities (such as Georgetown), but there is no guarantee.
How long does it take to complete the program?
It usually takes 2 years to complete the MA degree and 5 years to complete the PhD. Technically, students are entitled to take up to 6 years to complete the MA and up to 10 years to complete the PhD degree.
Is there housing at GMU?
On-campus housing for graduate students is very limited. Most graduate students live off-campus with roommates. As far as cost of living, you should expect to pay anywhere from $400-$800 per month (provided that you live with at least one roommate). There are ample housing opportunities in close proximity to campus. To learn more, please visit http://www.liveoffcampus.com/georgemason/ and check out some off-campus housing opportunities!
What does parking cost on campus?
Parking costs $90 per semester, and $160 for a full academic year. Please visit the parking services website for further information on how to obtain your parking permit prior to arriving on campus (you can order it online): http://www.gmu.edu/univserv/parking/index.html.
What is life like at GMU?
George Mason University sits in the heart of Fairfax, VA, just 15 miles west of our nation's capital. As well as being the setting for a wide variety of cultural and political scenes, this area is enriched by outstanding opportunities in the job market. Three George Mason University campuses provide plenty of entertainment for students. A few facilities worth mentioning are the fitness center, with an olympic-size pool, aerobic rooms and spa; a beautiful Center for the Arts; the Johnson Center Cinema, offering free student admission; and the Patriot Center, where Mason recieves big-name performers such as Bob Dylan, Linkin Park, and the Harlem Globetrotters.
