Freshman & Transfer
Freshman Admission Requirements
The following factors are evaluated in the decision process:
- Cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) for work completed in grades 9-12 along with level of difficulty of courses selected, particularly in core academic courses. Request your high school send an official copy of your transcript.
- SAT or ACT Scores. George Mason University uses self-reported SAT and/or ACT test scores throughout the initial admissions process to make both admissions and scholarship decisions. These decisions are contingent upon receipt of official test scores, sent directly from the testing agency, prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which the student intends to enroll. The Mason Korea's Office of Admissions and Enrollment reserves the right to reevaluate an applicant’s admissions or scholarship decision upon receipt of official test scores. This reevaluation may result in a change of admissions or scholarship status.
Students who choose not to provide self-reported scores on the application will be required to either contact the Mason Korea's Office of Admissions and Enrollment to provide self-reported scores, or submit official test scores, directly from the testing agency, before an admissions or scholarship decision can be made.
Applicants may also apply as Score Optional if they meet the requirements (see below).
- Secondary School Report and counselor recommendations. We suggest sending two (2) letters of recommendation, one from your high school counselor and one from a teacher. The Common Application provides a section for uploading letters of recommendation. For George Mason University’s Undergraduate Application for Admission, there is no special recommendation form and letters can be submitted electronically or via e-mail to askmk@gmu.edu. (If you have been out of school for more than five years, this is not necessary.)
- An optional, but strongly encouraged Personal Statement of approximately 400 words explaining to the Office of Admissions why YOU want to go to college. Tell us about yourself and your experiences that have led to this decision. Submit your statement online when prompted during the online application process or within the Common App.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores from non-native English-speaking applicants to supplement other standardized test results. If you do not speak English at home, you are highly encouraged to take the TOEFL. If you are in doubt as to whether you need to complete an English-language proficiency examination please contact the Office of Admissions.
Extracurricular activities and community service participation listed on your online application, the Common Application, or sent within an activity sheet or resume.
George Mason University may accept college credit that is earned while a student is concurrently enrolled in high school. This is classified as Dual Enrollment credit.
- Dual enrollment students who wish to apply for admission to Mason must select the freshman admission application.
- Credits are considered for acceptance from colleges and universities accredited by a regional accrediting body.
- Each course taken at another institution will be evaluated individually, and credit will be allowed only for equivalent college courses offered at Mason in which a grade of “C” or better has been earned.
- Courses are evaluated by reviewing the course content regardless of the mode of instruction.
Additional transfer credit criteria are outlined in the Mason Catalog.
◈ Home-Schooled Students
We welcome applications from home-schooled students or those who have pursued pre-college educational opportunities that may not be accredited. You will be reviewed no differently than those who apply from traditional high schools. However, we would like to clarify a few points that we feel will be beneficial for home-schooled applicants.
- Ensure that you have completed (or will have completed) the minimum preparatory course work required for admission before enrollment at Mason.
- We understand that in many instances, home-schooled students may not have a traditional “official” transcript. However, in order to evaluate your preparation for higher education, we require some form of transcript. Your home educator can prepare this document. Ideally, we expect to see a listing of courses completed and either a grade or evaluative description of your performance in each. In the event that we need additional information, an admissions representative will contact you.
- You will note that a “Secondary School Report” which usually accompanies a guidance counselor recommendation is one of our requirements. While a parent or guardian may certainly complete the form, we ask that you solicit a recommendation letter from someone outside of your immediate family who can attest to your academic achievements and abilities.
- Official ACT and/or SAT scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency. Home-Schooled applicants are not considered for Score Optional admission.
- If you have enrolled in or will have completed dual-enrollment college coursework prior to high school graduation, be certain to indicate this on the admission application and have official transcript(s) sent to the Office of Admissions at time of application. All dual-enrollment students are considered freshman applicants regardless of the number of college-credits earned while in dual-enrollment status.)
Transfer Admission Requirements
The Admissions Committee considers each transfer application individually, reviewing all grades received in courses attempted as well as the rigor of the applicant’s academic program. Competitive applicants present:
- 24 or more transferable semester hours from regionally accredited U.S. colleges/universities or international universities recognized by their Ministry of Education. Official transcripts from all previous institutions must be transmitted directly from the Registrar at your previous school(s) to the George Mason University Office of Admissions. We welcome electronic transcripts sent to: ugtrans@gmu.edu. Unofficial transcripts will not be processed. Transfer applicants who have enrolled in coursework outside the United States must meet additional international admission requirements.
NOTE: Applicants with Northern Virginia Community College transcripts are required to send a Parchment transcript. The Office of Admissions will not accept a paper transcript.
- Transferable English Composition and a Mathematics course. Competitive applicants should present an English composition course, preferably equivalent to Mason's ENGH 101, and a Mathematics course equivalent to one of Mason's CORE Mathematics classes, such as MATH 106, 108, 110, 111, 113. 125 or STAT 250. Applicants currently enrolled in transferable English and/or Mathematics courses will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis, though qualifying courses in English and Mathematics must be completed prior to enrollment. College Algebra is not accepted.
- Transfer applicants generally present a competitive cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- An essay. Although optional, applicants are encouraged to use the essay to provide information about their background that can’t be gleaned from transcripts or a resume.
- ENHS Form for any applicant with gaps in enrollment other than a summer term. Although optional, the Admissions Committee will expect you to document your post-secondary school educational and professional experiences.
- All applicants to George Mason University are reviewed for English Language Proficiency. If English is not your native language, please review the requirements to meet Mason’s English Language Proficiency Requirements.
- Applicants who are on active suspension or dismissal from any of their previous institutions will not be offered admission to George Mason University.
Transfer applicants who have fewer than 24 hours of earned university-level credit must meet both freshmen and transfer admission requirements. These applicants must also submit:
- Final secondary school transcript
- ACT or SAT scores
The Admissions Committee may request either of these credentials for some students who have completed more than 24 credits.
Applicants who graduated from high school more than five years prior to enrollment at Mason are generally not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
If English is not your native language, regardless of your citizenship, you must provide Mason with verification of your proficiency in English for admission consideration. English proficiency may be demonstrated by an exam or waiver. Exam scores may not be more than two years old.
◈ Examinations and Scores
◈ Waivers for English Language Proficiency
- Undergraduate applicants who have completed four years of college preparatory English, excluding ESL and remedial English courses, at a regionally accredited U.S. secondary school or secondary school in one of the waiver countries below. Each English course must be graded C or better. Puerto Rico secondary schools are excluded.
- Undergraduate applicants who have completed six credits of English Composition I and II from a Mason-recognized U.S. institution with grades of C or better.
- Graduate or undergraduate applicants with a bachelor’s or graduate degree conferred from a Mason-recognized U.S. institution or one of the waiver countries below.
- Graduate or undergraduate applicants who have completed a Mason-recognized bachelor’s degree from one of these countries:
