Is there any reason not to go to George Mason?

[Anonymous]

Will add that DC is in the honors program and it is excellent.

[Anonymous]

It's fine. It's sort of a manufactured university setting. No traditions. Student Life is not a priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

Most HS kids have the adolescent desire for frats, football games and all the stuff that comes with a big college town. If your son doesn't care for those, Mason is absolutely a great school to attend. A lot of kids go to Mason because it's the best option for them for academic or financial reasons. Your son attending Mason because that's where he wants to be has a leg up over the others and will thrive.

No. You cannot speak for "most" HS kids because you don't know them, you only know a small number via your own kids and they may well not be representative of the majority. Its like saying "most Frat boys are rapists and meat heads". It might be true for some, but not all.

NP here. Actually, I think PP was spot on -- it's very safe to say that "most" students want the trappings of the traditional 4-year university. It's an intangible thing. Your insistence to the contrary reeks of projection.

and you reek of shit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's fine. It's sort of a manufactured university setting. No traditions. Student Life is not a priority.

I suspect PP meant this as a negative but the vast majority of universities in other countries don't give two hoots about traditions, student life, frats, football and all the nonsense whose primary reason is to build a brand and eventually charge more. Most focus on educating students so they can go out and get jobs. GMU (or is is GM now?) does a fantastic job at that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

Most HS kids have the adolescent desire for frats, football games and all the stuff that comes with a big college town. If your son doesn't care for those, Mason is absolutely a great school to attend. A lot of kids go to Mason because it's the best option for them for academic or financial reasons. Your son attending Mason because that's where he wants to be has a leg up over the others and will thrive.

No. You cannot speak for "most" HS kids because you don't know them, you only know a small number via your own kids and they may well not be representative of the majority. Its like saying "most Frat boys are rapists and meat heads". It might be true for some, but not all.

NP here. Actually, I think PP was spot on -- it's very safe to say that "most" students want the trappings of the traditional 4-year university. It's an intangible thing. Your insistence to the contrary reeks of projection.

and you reek of shit

What? I'm not PP, but sound insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A current student told me a few weeks ago that they really enjoy it but that it lacks the residential campus vibe. He said although they are making efforts, there lacks culture & not too many students remain on campus on weekends.

My husband on the other hand used to work about 20 min away from GMU and said a lot of his peers attended GMU for graduate school- tech sector. He recommends it for graduate school.

I've read that they are making strides towards encouraging a more campusy vibe.

I have a kid there.

The reaction of peers and their parents to Mason was mostly the wrinkled nose, "oh Mason" type response.

The reaction from adult professionals in the area, government, military and tech was along the lines of "Mason, that's a great school."

It isn't "a great school." It's fine. There's nothing wrong with it. But anyone who calls it "great" doesn't know what great means. In Virginia UVA is a great school. In the DMV Georgetown is great. Johns Hopkins is great. GMU? No. Definitely not "great."

[Anonymous]

It has solid teaching and excellent job opportunities. The fun factor is kind of what is lacking. And it's very large.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

Why on Earth would you care what other people think? Who thinks that way?

+1

Don't be like those parent posters who try to diminish other schools/students (certain ones in particular), OP. To listen to other people, and care what others think, would be no different than the disingenuous, pathetic, thinly veiled, immature, mean spirited, attack posts that appear on DCUM regularly. Yeah, don't be them.

Go to the school that matches YOUR kid - let the rest alone. Once you have done that, you have succeeded as a human and as a parent. Visit the school in person, decide if it is what your child needs, and leave the rest alone. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A current student told me a few weeks ago that they really enjoy it but that it lacks the residential campus vibe. He said although they are making efforts, there lacks culture & not too many students remain on campus on weekends.

My husband on the other hand used to work about 20 min away from GMU and said a lot of his peers attended GMU for graduate school- tech sector. He recommends it for graduate school.

I've read that they are making strides towards encouraging a more campusy vibe.

I have a kid there.

The reaction of peers and their parents to Mason was mostly the wrinkled nose, "oh Mason" type response.

The reaction from adult professionals in the area, government, military and tech was along the lines of "Mason, that's a great school."

It isn't "a great school." It's fine. There's nothing wrong with it. But anyone who calls it "great" doesn't know what great means. In Virginia UVA is a great school. In the DMV Georgetown is great. Johns Hopkins is great. GMU? No. Definitely not "great."

I don't have a dog in the fight but I know plenty of smart, successful Mason grads. Great school for many majors including Econ and Computer Science. And really good post-graduate options work and degree-wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

OP - YOU have to be okay with YOUR decision. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, really. As in life YOU have to be secure and own YOUR decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

OP - YOU have to be okay with YOUR decision. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, really. As in life YOU have to be secure and own YOUR decisions.

This is OP, yes I agree! As I posted earlier, if wanted to ensure we’re not missing something, and it seems like we aren’t. A school that has solid academics, great prospects for internships and career placement in the DC area in policy or government is exactly what DS is looking for. Sounds like GMU should be just fine for him.

[Anonymous]

It's a very utilitarian option.

I am a fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into the George Mason honors program and that's where he really wants to attend. He thinks it's a good fit for his desired major (political science), opportunities for internships and the students seem hardworking but not over the top, and not fratty. I agree it seems to be a good fit for him, but I also see people in the area dismissing GMU. Maybe because it has a high, not selective, admissions rate, or maybe because it's close to home. Those things don't bother DS. Is there any actual reason to steer away from this school? We liked what we see, and would have thought more people would feel the same.

OP - YOU have to be okay with YOUR decision. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, really. As in life YOU have to be secure and own YOUR decisions.

This is OP, yes I agree! As I posted earlier, if wanted to ensure we’re not missing something, and it seems like we aren’t. A school that has solid academics, great prospects for internships and career placement in the DC area in policy or government is exactly what DS is looking for. Sounds like GMU should be just fine for him.

I agree and so great that he knows exactly what he wants. A very reasonable plan!

[Anonymous]

The only negative about Mason is that they give no financial aid to in-state students. The NPC showed that we would get a $2k scholarship based on GPA and test scores, but in the actual financial aid letter today, we got nothing.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to your child on getting into a school with close to a 100% admission rate. Getting admitted must have been hard and employers will be impressed by that line on his resume for the rest of his life. If you can get into a school with open admissions, what can't you do?