Greetings from George Mason University!

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome you to your journey here at Mason! You are joining the ranks of incredible students that make this university one of the most diverse and innovative in the nation. As an out-of-state student, you make up over 20% of our undergraduate student body at Mason, and that number continues to grow. Students at Mason represent all 50 states and over 125 countries around the world.

Coming from outside the Commonwealth of Virginia opens many doors for Mason students, including the opportunity to engage in our diverse community on campus, explore the nation’s capital, and learn in state-of-the-art classrooms with incredible faculty. And while coming to mason provides lots of opportunity, we understand that it also can raise lots of questions about navigating life in a new place.

Whether you are coming from an hour or a day’s travel away, establishing a home in a new place can be an adventure. I remember that my transition to college was filled with excitement, uncertainty, and anxiety, as I did my best to prepare for every possible scenario that could happen while I was away from my family, friends, and support network. It took a bit of effort on my end, but I eventually learned how to navigate all the little things (best places to study, how to find my way around campus, getting home during breaks), as well as some big things (finding a job, making friends, balancing all my priorities) over time. My biggest advice to you would be to ask for help and support from the many resources here at Mason designed to help you settle!

We hope that this website, as well as the services and programs we provide for out-of-state students and families, will provide you with many of the answers to questions you might have. We believe it will get you excited for the opportunities ahead for you as an out-of-state student, from exclusive receptions at Orientation to fun events during Family Weekend and throughout the year geared at introducing you to all the Mason and the surrounding community have to offer. Continue to use this site and our office as a resource throughout your Mason experience. And never hesitate to ask for help or support—we’re always just a click, email, call, or office drop-in away.

With Patriot Pride,

New Student and Family Programs