George Mason University (2024)
Two words sum up the George Mason University experience: opportunity and impact. Independent and career-focused, Mason students are definitely the do-ers.
George Mason University is located in Fairfax, just a 25-30 minute train ride away from Washington, DC. Mason’s proximity to DC allows internship and experiential learning opportunities to happen when the student is ready instead of when the position is available. Every student I talked to during my visit to campus had at least one internship under their belt–most had several–while also claiming there seemed to be no shortage of opportunities sent their way via email from their academic departments.
George Mason University offers 80+ majors, 140+ minors and concentrations, and 100+ accelerated masters programs. The most selective majors are nursing, engineering, computer science, and dance. Mason offers the #1 program for peace and conflict resolution at a public university in the U.S. More than 200 study abroad opportunities are available in over 60 countries, but interestingly, Mason Korea (3 years in Songdo, South Korea and 1 year in Fairfax, VA) is also an option for those students wanting a more global experience but who still want to earn a degree from George Mason University.
For those curious and motivated students looking for even more engagement, the Honors College is where it’s at. Beyond the typical Honors perks of priority class registration and honors housing, all Honors students take a required Intro to Research and Inquiry course and then conduct research of their own design. Not exclusive to just STEM majors, research happens in every academic discipline, including the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Honors College students benefit from these additional opportunities:
Mentorship and professional development
Civic engagement requirement
Consulting course with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations and community partners
Networking opportunities and events in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area
Leadership development
Academic Support (students have two advisors, one in their major and one in honors)
As one of the top ten most diverse universities in the United States, George Mason University boasts an enrollment of 40,000 total students (27,000 undergraduates) consisting of 46% students of color, 55% female, 18% first generation college students, and 9% international students. Not only do Mason students contribute remarkably in the classroom and their community (college, town, region, and globe), but they promote a diverse workforce once they graduate and enjoy the highest starting salaries of any Virginia university. The top industries employing Mason graduates are education, government/military, healthcare, and technology, but impressively, 89% of graduates report that they are in positions related to their career goals.
Two final highlights!
The Mason Innovation Exchange is sure to get any students’ creative juices flowing. Services are open to all students, faculty, and staff and include a makerspace, a media lab, and incubator providing entrepreneurship training and support.
I was delighted to tour the The Presidents Park Greenhouse, where students can volunteer year round or intern for credit. Deliciously, the lettuce and salad greens grown at this hydroponic greenhouse are served at the campus dining hall. They are doing great work there!
The same holds true for the entire campus community. It was wonderful seeing students so engaged (even in the dining facilities–real conversations were happening!), and every faculty and staff member was immensely proud and supportive of the work their students are doing.
