George Mason as alternative to UMD for Marylanders

[Anonymous]

DS is considering GMU as a safety to UMD as he preferred some of their programs and location over UMBC or Towson. Have any other MDers done this and received merit that would make it comparable to a MD in-state COA which are typically ~ $30k? Appreciate any info about your experience with the school.
TIA

[Anonymous]

Think it is a great safety. We live five miles from the campus and because of that, our kid didn't consider it but we have known so many happy graduates with great outcomes who have lived on campus.
Definitely visit. And Fairfax City, just miles from the campus has fun restaurants and great events - think Rock the Block music happening.

[Anonymous]

My DD was offered $80K in merit and honors program, so they do have merit. However, she ended up at UMD.

[Anonymous]

Some of the GMU programs are excellent - is a school on the rise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was offered $80K in merit and honors program, so they do have merit. However, she ended up at UMD.

Thank you - can you share stats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the GMU programs are excellent - is a school on the rise

CS?

[Anonymous]

Biggest university without a football team.

[Anonymous]

What majors are well regarded at GMU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was offered $80K in merit and honors program, so they do have merit. However, she ended up at UMD.

$20K/yr for 4 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What majors are well regarded at GMU?

NP but we are looking at Schar school of Policy and Govt and on paper the faculty, majors and course offerings are more interesting than those at UMD and the location is great for internships, networking etc. We are going to visit schools when we get final acceptance and merit offers so I cannot speak to the culture (or "vibe" as my kid would say). My kid is not interested in football so not sure that matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD was offered $80K in merit and honors program, so they do have merit. However, she ended up at UMD.

$20K/yr for 4 years?

Yes, that is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD was offered $80K in merit and honors program, so they do have merit. However, she ended up at UMD.

Thank you - can you share stats?

It was several years ago so I don’t remember exact stats. But many APs and all A’s and one B in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What majors are well regarded at GMU?

NP but we are looking at Schar school of Policy and Govt and on paper the faculty, majors and course offerings are more interesting than those at UMD and the location is great for internships, networking etc. We are going to visit schools when we get final acceptance and merit offers so I cannot speak to the culture (or "vibe" as my kid would say). My kid is not interested in football so not sure that matters.

My kid from MoCo also interested in GMU for a specific major (don't want to say as it's very very niche). Location is perfect for this major, and yea, DC doesn't care about football. They also wanted to be in a city/suburb and not a rural area.

UMDCP doesn't have the major DC wants, so I hope, fingers crossed, they get some merit.

[Anonymous]

GMU is way better than UMBC or Towson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GMU is way better than UMBC or Towson

specifics? Genuinely curious as my DC is going to look at all 3.