We wholeheartedly welcome you to George Mason University! This page provides important steps and information for new students at Mason. Please carefully read the information below and be ready for your very first semester at the Korea campus.
Please visit this webpage regularly to check for updates.
New students at Mason are required to create an online credential called Patriot Pass that allows students to access a variety of Mason online systems. Patriot Pass assigns students a Net ID and allows them to create a password, together those make up the students' Patriot Pass credentials. By doing this, students will be able to log into the Patriot Web and register for courses.
In addition, new students are required to check if they can log in to Office 365. The Office 365 is the official email system for students at George Mason University. Mason uses electronic mail to provide official information to students. Students are responsible for keeping up to date on the content of university communication sent to their Mason e-mail account and are required to activate that account and check it regularly.
*Please note that in order to create your Patriot Pass credential, you need to put a six-digit claim code into the system. The initial claim code is your date of birth in MMDDYY format. For example, if you were born on January 15 in 2000, your claim code is 011500.
After the accounts have been activated, students must check if they were successful logging into both Patriot Web and Office 365 before joining the New Student Orientation.
Once the Office of Admissions acknowledges your intention to enroll at Mason, it will take additional 48-72 hours for both Patriot Pass to be available for activation.
If you have issues with creating Mason accounts, contact Information Technology Services at support@gmu.edu.
Mandatory Survey
All new students are required to complete the Student Profile Survey as soon as they have created their Mason accounts. Click here to complete the survey before you come to the orientation.
If you do not complete this survey in a timely manner, a hold will be placed on your account. This hold will prevent registration, which means you would not be able to register for courses or change your registration. Check Patriot Web (Student Services and Financial Aid/Student Records/View Holds) to view your holds.
Mason Korea Student ID Card Application
Mason Korea student ID allows to access IGC Housing and Library buildings. All new students are required to complete the student ID card application at the New Student Orientation.
There are two (2) types of Mason Korea student ID students can choose that includes access to campus facilities.
1. Incheon e-EUM card
a. Incheon e-EUM is a local currency program (an electronic currency program) governed by the Incheon Metropolitan City government. You can recharge your Incheon e-EUM on the dedicated mobile APP with a few easy touches, and pay for goods and services safely using the IC card. Using Incheon e-EUM can help reduce debit/credit card fees and increase sales revenue for small business owners in our community who are, of course, our neighbors as well.
b. Special Benefits
i. Receive 4~15% of your payment amount in cashback (points) form or discounts
ii. 30% income deduction for your year-end tax settlement (equivalent to cash)
iii. Simple recharge and balance inquiries from your mobile APP
iv. Free additional services e.g. phone orders, shopping mall services
2. IBK collaborated card
a. International students without Korean local bank account can select the IBK collaborated card as their student ID. this will take up to 3 weeks for you to receive the ID. During the process time, you will be issued a temporary ID to access IGC housing building. IBK ID can be used as a debit card and to use the metro service in Korea.
Letterman Jacket Pre-Order
Mason Korea letterman Jacket is KRW 59,000 (including KRW 5,000 delivery fee) and is expected to be delivered around the first week of October(tentative). The deadline for pre-order is September 1, 2023. Ordering a letterman jacket is OPTIONAL.
If you are a Korean student, please click here to pre-order directly.
If you are an international student, please click here to pre-order through the Office of University Life.
On-Campus Housing
IGC Housing has two residence hall buildings that are divided by room type, single and double, and shared by students from all universities located at the IGC campus.
To ensure the safety and privacy of our residents, IGC Housing is gender-segregated. Each floor/wing is designated for either males or females, and we strictly prohibit entry into areas designated for the opposite gender, in accordance with IGC regulations.
The typical residency period is 15 - 17 weeks, and the rate for a single room is approximately KRW 1,900,000, while a double room costs KRW 1,200,000 per person.
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Double Room - Building A |
Single Room - Building B |
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First-semester students will automatically be given a residency. About 4-5 weeks before the semester starts, you will receive information about submitting your check-in application online. This application will allow you to share your preferences on roommate, floor, and room type (single or double) as well as inform you of when you can check in to the IGC Housing. The actual check-in is typically available 5-7 days before the start of the semester.
In general, you are required to complete the payment during the check-in application or shortly after. You can check payment instructions on your check-in application screen. International students are allowed a grace period of 2 months after moving in to complete their payment. After submitting the check-in application, international students will receive an information email regarding payment to their Mason account.
Your residency may be canceled if you failed to pay by the deadline set by IGC Housing.
You can check in to the IGC Housing and move into your room during the designated check-in period. In general, the check-in period starts 5 - 7 days before the semester starts. The exact date and time will be shared with the prospective residents during the check-in application.
During check-in, IGC Housing will inform your room number and grant you access to pass the security measures during check-in
You MUST bring the following materials for check-in. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to check in and need to come back another day when you are ready to submit the materials.
>> Click here for more general information about on-campus housing
Off-Campus Housing
Mason Korea University Life office has been working with local vendors to provide information to students seeking off-campus housing options.
>> Click here to learn more about off-campus housing
There are several hotels nearby the campus that are affiliated with Mason Korea. All faculty, staff and students will receive discounts on the products and services by showing valid Mason Korea ID Card upon payment or ordering. *
We recommend Skypark Hotel the most as it’s the nearest one to the campus (distance about 10 minutes by taxi, close to the metro) and many of our past visitors have stayed there. We also recommend Orakai Hotel and Oakwood Premier.
Find more detailed information under the 'Hotel' section of the following webpage.
https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/all-employees/human-resources/employee-discounts
* Disclaimer: Mason Korea does not sponsor or endorse any of the businesses included in this list, nor does it guarantee the quality of the products and services.
Mandatory Survey
All new international students are required to complete this survey.
The information I collect via this survey is to create a basic student profile for our internal database. Later, students’ registration, housing, scholarship, and immigration data can be added to their profiles. The survey must be completed by all newly onboarding international students regardless of their nationality.
Undergraduate-level international students (non-Korean) who wish to stay in Korea for more than 90 days to attend classes must obtain a student visa (D-2). Students who possess visa statuses other than D-2 (e.g. F-4, A-3) that also allow studying in Korea may maintain their current visa statuses.
Students who possess Korean citizenship must enter Korea using Korean passports. Please note prospective GMUK male students who hold Korean citizenship or are dual citizens (Korea and another country) may be subject to Military service conscription requirements. The university highly recommends students contact the Korean embassy or consulate in their country of residence to fully understand military implications before entering Korea.
Please check out the following webpage to start your visa application.
https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/international-students/student-visa
The whole process could take about 4 - 6 weeks to be fully completed. Students must start these processes at least one month before the semester starts.
Traveling to Korea can sometimes be confusing. But travel and arrival also can be easier when they are planned carefully in advance. Mason Korea is here to support our students to travel to Incheon, South Korea, and get on campus.
Please check out the following webpage for the latest travel advice.
https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/international-students/travel-arrival
International students who are entering Korea are legally required to enroll in the national health insurance program (National Health Insurance Act). All Korean nationals are also required to enroll in this program.
The National Health Insurance Service(NHIS) will enroll international students into the insurance program when they complete the alien registration process and receive alien registration numbers (Korean social security numbers).
Please check out the following webpage for more information.
https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/international-students/health-insurance
The New Student Orientation Program is designed to acclimate and transition new students to the institution, expose new students to the broad educational opportunities of Mason, and integrate new students into the life of the institution.
At the orientation, you will:
All students new to Mason are required to attend one of the orientation sessions. The orientation is scheduled to be held during July and August.
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Date |
Time (KST) |
Remarks |
| July 12 | 10am - 5pm** |
Location: Mason Korea Building |
| August 2 | 10am - 5pm** | |
| August 16 | 10am - 5pm** |
* The schedule is subject to change.
* * The Math Placement Test for new students will take place at the New Student Orienation. Students who take the Math Placement Test will check in at 8am instead of 10am. More information will be sent to your email prior to the orientation date.
Location: George Mason University Korea, 119-4 Songdomunhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Korea, 21985
Mason Korea is committed to supporting new students in their transition to college, both inside and outside the classroom.
The goal of welcome weekend is to successfully integrate new students into the intellectual, social and cultural climate of the campus community.
The objectives of Welcome Weekend are
All students new to Mason Korea are required to participate in the Welcome Weekend, so please make sure to review the dates below and make plans accordingly.
If unable to attend any part of the weekend due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., family wedding, family emergency, etc.) please contact University Life at mkul@gmu.edu.
For our commuting students, we will provide meals during the event.
Please note the event will be held in-person.
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Date |
Time |
Venue |
| August 17 to August 19 | TBD |
Mason Korea Building |
* The schedule above is subject to change.
The Convocation is George Mason University's official welcome for all new first-year students. As one of only a few times all members of the class will convene, this event celebrates the class's entry into higher education and inducts them into a community of learners here at Mason.
The Convocation articulates to our newest Patriots the institution's mission and the expectations to which they will be held during their collegiate career here at the university. Our first-year students will not only realize their identity as a class but be reminded of the privilege they have to change the world for the better as a member of the Mason Nation.
If you have questions about the Convocation, please contact the Office of Events Management at +82-32-626-5017 or by email at mkevents@gmu.edu.
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Date |
Time |
Venue |
RSVP |
| August 23 | 12 PM | IGC Auditorium |
(TBA) |
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Academic Calendar |
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Math Placement Test The Math Placement Test for new students will take place at the New Student Orientation. |
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Tuition and Cost |
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Administrative Offices
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Mason Korea Academic Affairs (MKAA)
Office of Academic Affairs works to facilitate and streamline course registration processes for students and faculty. The office also advises students on their degree progression and helps students understand the University’s policies and procedures.
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- Email: mkaa@gmu.edu
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Mason Korea University Life (MKUL)
Office of University Life supports diverse student programs and activities, including University-wide events, student organizations, residence life, and international student services. As part of our office, the Career Development Center prepares students for career readiness starting from their first year through their graduation.
MKUL staff members below are the major point of contact for first-time students.
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Mihee Cho
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Hyunjung Kim
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Joanna Park
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Wonseok Park
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Mason Korea Student Accounts
The Office of Student Accounts handles tuition billing and collection process.
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Francesca Griego
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