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George Mason University

Newly Admitted Students FAQs

More Information & FAQs

Do I still have chance to receive financial support if such support was not granted with admission?

The department tries to provide financial support for all highly qualified students upon admission. Unless under very special cases, such as new fund availability or a new GTA position becoming available, your chance of receiving financial support after admission is low.  

Where can I find information on financial support beyond GGS?

Both the university and the college provide some forms of financial support to graduate students. Please visit the COS Graduate Funding page and the Financial Support page by Mason Graduate Education. The Office of Fellowships also provides support for students seeking external funding.

Do I need to prepare anything or submit any documents before starting my graduate study at GGS?

GGS does not require anything beyond your application package to begin your graduate studies. The most important first step is course selection. You can find more information in the other FAQ entries on this website. Although there is no formal orientation for new graduate students, the department usually runs an information session in the first month of each fall semester.

How can I start my journey in one of GGS graduate programs?

The general procedures, such as obtaining a student ID, setting up an account, and getting housing information are managed by the university and the college. You may check the Student Resources page for university-level information and the COS Graduate Student Resources page for college-level information. For specific academic questions, such as finding an advisor or choosing courses, you are encouraged to check the GGS FAQs for current graduate students.

How should I prepare for my GGS graduate study after being away from school for a long time and/or with limited background in geography and geoinformation science?

This is really an individualized question. If you would like to prepare for a smooth transition, the general suggestion is to check the core course requirements in the University Catalog or on the GGS Graduate Program page. After that, check the GGS course syllabi to learn more about those courses. From these resources, you should have some idea about the core requirements and the background needed for the corresponding graduate program.

Can I defer my admission to the following semester?

Yes. With a reasonable reason, you may defer your admission. Please visit graduate policies and check the Deferral or Reconsideration of Admitted Students section for details on how to start that process. GGS follows the university policies on deferment and reconsideration. Since the deferral is not determined by GGS, you should address additional questions on this to either University Graduate Admissions or the College of Science Graduate Office. 

Please note: Many of these questions overlap with the FAQs for Prospective Students and Current Students. Those sections provide more detailed information on admissions policies and academic procedures, so you may wish to consult them as well.

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.