George Mason University

The Most truthful statement about Mason is that you get what you put into it. If you put some effort into enjoying it, Mason will be an incredibly rewarding experience. If you look for them, you will experience some of the best parties(far better than the overhyped ones at JMU or VT). The reason so many people bash Mason is that they expect this stuff to jump out and grab them when they roll onto campus freshman year.

To enjoy a good social life at Mason, you have to do one of two things: Join a Greek Organization, or play a Club or Varsity Sport for mason. So if you don't play a sport, you got to go greek. Goin greek will allow you to meet people from all over, people you never would have met simply attending classes. I fully reccomend it.

As far as classes go, Mason's gen ed program just out and out sucks. The classes that you must pass to graduate are a lesson in tedium, and everyone dreads having to suffer through IT 103 and Math 108. It not that theyre hard, theyre just full of busy work and you feel like you're wasting your time. However, once you get into the classes for your major, you truly appreciate coming to Mason. Even in the History Department (which is small and underrated), half of my proffessors have their PhD's from Ivy league schools, and Mason boastsDr. Platt, probably the world's foremost expert on Japanese History. It's not surprising to flip on CNN or Fox News and see one of your proffessors on there giving commentary on something going on in the world.

The problem with Mason is all the commuters who treat it like a high school, i.e. go to class, come home, hang out with old friends. If you give yourself the chance to enjoy it, you will love it.On a final note, to experience Mason completely, it is a NESECITY to live in President's park your Freshman year. No University in Virginia has a crazier dorm complex. Everyone gets drunk about 5 nights a week, doin crazy things every time, since everyone is a freshman and tryin to wile out on everyone. My memories of Freshman year in "the park" will be with me till I die.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2007

Surrounding City: A+, Individual Value: D

This school is what you make of it. The education I received seems to be getting the job done. The social life I had while attending GMU was fine. If you decide to take advantage of your time at GMU, you’ll get everything you put into it. If you decide to half-ass it, well like most things in life, you’ll get what you deserve. Overall, I’m pleased with my GMU experience.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000