Reply to Insights on Mason for Potential Incoming Freshman

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our DC was just admitted off the waitlist to GMU’s computing and engineering school. He is committed to CNU for comp sci, and is deciding if he should rescind that commitment and go to Mason.

He is an IB student in a very diverse FCPS school, and has had an IEP since 5th grade for ADD (inattentive). He came up through the FCPS AAP program, taking high school math since 7th grade. His grades have spanned the spectrum from A’s to the occasional D, with his biggest challenges around writing.

He’s especially bright, but struggles with executive functioning. We believe Mason’s Executive Functioning program (at additional cost) would really help him navigate the college academic experience.

He chose CNU over VCU (and two OOS schools with substantial merit) because he thought the smaller school and the opportunity to know his instructors and they know him, would be a better environment. Theres a lot we like about CNU, and not to overemphasize “rankings, but it doesn’t have the reputation - overall and in Comp sci - of Mason. Mason also has a large internship network, which is critica in a technical field.

He would live on campus at GMU and Although smaller, we expect CNU would be more of a “traditional” college experience than Mason, [b]as the latter has a fair number of commuters. Ho[/b]wever, he’s never really been interested in the experience, and is more focused on what his degree will provide. That said, we (and he) believe he needs to build his social skills and friend base, as he struggled “finding his tribe” in high school.

Anyone with experience at Mason (or CNU for that matter), I would welcome your input as we try to make this decision. [/quote]

GMU stopped being a commuter campus in 2010/2011 when the Carnegie foundation reclassified it as primarily residential. All freshmen live on campus unless they have filed a waiver and it was accepted. Yes, many of the grad students commute but go look at all of the dorms available for undergrad (My DS's second year was like a hotel room, with full, nice private bath and kitchen).   My DS lived on campus all four years.  His roommates were OOS and international.  He had a great four years.  Game Design major.  Anything computer is terrific there.  Be sure to visit the tech campus out near manassas. AMA[/quote]

I’ve read about the Carnegie designation, but wondering exactly what the criteria are for that. US News states that GMU only has 6200 undergrads on campus, among 27000 total. That’s not a lot though in comparison to about 5k total at CNU, it’s more than comparable. Also, I understand that a lot of students live in off-campus housing nearby.

Did your DS do the Game Design major that’s arts/fine arts focused? I believes there’s that (BFA) along with a Game Design concentration within the CS major. [/quote]

I don't think Carnegie classifications have anything to do with a university being residential or. Kt.  It has to do with hishest degrees awarded (and count) and  level of research.[/quote]

Thanks for this. So if that's the case, why is the Carnegie Foundation involved with classifying schools as "primarily residential" when their criteria revolvews around degrees awarded and level of research?[/quote]

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