George Mason University

Date: May 08 2008
Major: Accounting (This Major's Salary over time)
I have been at George Mason University for three years and I have enjoyed my experience very much. I will break down my analysis in three parts:

Academics: Mason has an impressive array of professors - particularly in the School of Management. All of my accounting professors had PhDs with extensive experience in the big firms. Four of my professors were former partners in these firms. Mason was one of the first universities to provide a 150 course plan for their accounting program to prepare their students to sit for the CPA exam. My course work required substantive and meaningful group and individual projects that provided excellent insight into the issues facing the accounting profession today. In addition, my finance, economics, and science courses all had excellent professors who were open to providing time and guidance to their students. George Mason definitely provides rigorous academics and an incredible value for the tuition dollar.

Campus: The campus is quite pretty with lots of trees and green space. It is going through a tremendous amount of construction - but that is yielding brand new and cutting edge facilities as well as dorms, academic buildings, research facilities, and student recreation, athletic, and eating locations. The campus is actually a self-contained town within Fairfax - and yet its very easy to walk or take the Green and Gold bus to old town Fairfax to go to bars, shops, or restaurants. There is a tremendous amount of investment in the university and it shows.

Social Life - For all the griping about social life - I can't comprehend some of the arguments. I am in one of the new dorm buildings - and right now as I right this on my laptop - I am barbecuing with my room mates and we are taking in some sun and volley ball games. There are two bands playing on campus tonight and a party at a house along University drive - and no - I am not in a fraternity. Right now there are 5,800 students living on campus - this fall - the University is opening another new dorm building with an additional 1000-1200 beds. The Aquatic Center provides extensive gym and work out facilities as well as huge indoor pools, and a giant hot tub. There is a movie theater on campus and one across the street at University mall - both can be walked to. There are multiple game rooms as well as basketball courts, tennis courts, and raquetball courts. And that is before you consider the expansion of the Phys Ed building that will almost double its size and the facilities.

Mason is an awakening giant that provides excellent academics at a reasonable price and its campus and community is developing into a one-of-a-kind place in the state of Virginia.