Mason's academics are good, better than a lot of other colleges.  With only being a 35 or so year old University, what more could you ask for?  Their academics are better than plenty of universities who've been around for over 100 years (examples: FSU, WVU, and others).  Sure, these are party schools, but did you *really* go to college just to party?  If you did, you're stupid.  Simple as that.

I've never had a problem with Mason's social life.  I knew that if I went to a huge party school, the parties would get old and then I'd be bored.  At Mason I can still find a big party, yet find other things to do when I want to.  For example, there are plenty of bars to go to.  Most people leaving comments that the social life is horrible must not get out much, as I have found it quite easy to find a big party (100+ people) at least once every weekend, which I'm perfectly content with.  To me, this allows the parties to not get as boring as quickly as it's not “the only thing to do”