George Mason University

Geez, Where do I begin with George Mason University. Ill start off with a flashback. Its the early 90's. People are done with classes and theres NO johnson center or Aquatic Center, so they walk around, talk and go home. This was the typical day on campus according to a family friend in the late 80's. So if you think the college is bad now, think how bad it was back then.

The Main Fairfax Campus has come a long way since then. It seems like somewhere in late 95 that the faculty STARTED USING THEIR BRAINS and and came up with a plan to improve the reputation of the University by finally opening the Johnson Center, followed by the opening of the new aquatic center in 98. Since 98, every year the University has improved slowly. More students, new/modern housing, more buildings and better academic programs. Its no longer known as a backup school because they're actually taking in smart students now with no less than 3.0 gpas.

But with all the effort that the faculty are putting in, GM still has abit to go.. like getting a football team. They're setting up one in 2006 but who has the time to wait. Sports, especially a good football team is what attracts alot of male atheletes to a school and GM doesnt have one which a major drawback.

Socially, its mainly a commuter school although I mentioned the faculty IN THE LAST 2 YRS and NOW doing their best to change that. You really have to put alot of effort in to get to know people since most commute from the surrounding area. The campus doesnt foster an enviorment where students are encouraged to socialize and theres a complete lack of school spirit. When trying to meet a new person, within 10 mins you know if the person is interested in even having a discussion with you or not, it may take longer but I think its easy to tell early, atleast for me. You should be proud of where you go and not hate it as some students at GM do. Ive found people tend to get on their mobile phones and start talking.

If you happen to live on campus, you probably will have a better experience. If you're an upper classman, you can now enjoy the new Liberty Square housing thats opening soon. Looks good from the outside. But beware, on Friday, the skool is dead. Everybody is either working, dont want to come to school or decide to head home for the weekend and Ive herd alot of resident students do that too. If you are going here in the future and commuting, best option is to join a frat if you want to get to know loads of ppl quickly.

GM academically has some good schools but it depends who you have for a professor which is why you should check student ratings on professors. Economics, Law and Nursing ive heard are good at GM.In all, O.K. school, pricing is reasonable, slowly becoming a top choice skool but has a way to go before it reaches the top. If you want the classic college experience, do not go here. Thats why Im thinking of going to UMD College Park. GM has changed dramatically overall but I dont have years to wait for it to improve. YOURE ONLY IN COLLEGE ONCE.

1st Year Male -- Class 2007

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Individual Value: F

The university has a great reputation as far as academics are concerned, however as far as night life goes it is absolutely horrible. If you want to live a fun college life and are a male, GMU might not be the place for you. Girls are welcome to all the parties, and the parties are a lot of fun, but fraternities are strange about letting guys in to their parties, and if no guys are there besides the fag fraternity guys, what girls wanna be there?? (catch my point?) If the frats would loosen up with their closed door policy and the people would open up to everyone it would be a great school. Being the second most populated university in Virginia, it is easy to becomea statistic and get lost among the student body. If you go or are planning to go here remember to be friendly to everyone, a friend is better than a stranger. Academics are actually quite challenging which came as a surprise to me because it has a bad reputation among high school students due to the fact that it is so close to home. If you go into Mason with a bad attitude your going to hate it there but if you suck up the fact that your at mason you would realize that it is better than other places, it just wont seem that way unless you overcome the negativity and open up to it. The girls are hot and the guys are fags, so if your a nice guy you can get a lot of girls. George Mason could be a very fun college if these minor things are corrected; people throwing parties should let anyone and everyone in, teachers start relating to students on a more personal level, and kids start viewing their school in a more positive manor. Its not that bad, you gotta adapt to it just like any other school. One more thing, fuck those faggots who go to UVA and try to tell you its better than mason cause that school blows, the people are all stuck up and have no personalities what-so-ever. Thats one of the best things about mason, everybody is real, whether or not you like it they are not stuck up fags. Hope this helps.

1st Year Male -- Class 2006

Useful Schoolwork: A, Education Quality: F