Success for STEM Transfers
We're glad you're considering continuing your undergraduate education at Mason's College of Science
Did you know that more than a third of our College of Science undergraduate students are transfers? We are proud to offer innovative, transfer-focused programs and events to jumpstart your STEM transfer success story.*
"I'm pre-transfer and exploring my options"
Mason STEM and Pre-Med Transfer 101 Sessions
Prospective transfer students, join us on selected Wednesdays each month to:
- Explore Mason’s STEM degree options, get transfer planning tips, and course recommendations for STEM and health professions-focused students.
- Understand the different transfer pathways from Virginia Community Colleges, and how to transfer from other colleges/universities.
- Learn about STEM career readiness at Mason – including research and internships.
- Investigate scholarships and resources for future STEM teachers, premeds and other future health professionals.
- Engage in live Q&A with our Director of STEM Access, Outreach, and Career Pathways.
STEM/Pre-Health Transfer Pathways Planning Appointments
Prefer a one-on-one appointment? Map your transfer pathway to one of our cutting-edge STEM majors and minors here at Mason by signing up for a pre-transfer planning appointment.
These sessions are intended for students who are 1+ semesters away from transferring to Mason. Admitted students who are actively transferring into the university should schedule a pre-orientation advising appointment through the Office of Transfer Services or by emailing ugradcos@gmu.edu.
2025-26: Mason STEM & Pre-Med/Pre-Health Transfer 101 Sessions
- Sep 10: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Oct 8: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Nov 12: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Dec 10: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Jan 14: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Feb 11: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Mar 4: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Apr 8: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- May 6: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
STEM Transfer Day 2026
Registration for STEM Transfer Day 2026 will open on March 1.
Students are raving about STEM Transfer Day! Join us for this unique virtual event and discover what makes George Mason University a top destination for STEM transfer students
Virtual Event Highlights:
"I've applied to transfer to Mason"
Community of STEM Transfer Researchers (C-STR)
Transfer Students, are you ready to start your STEM research journey? Register for C-STR, a (non-residential) learning community exclusively for undergraduate transfer students pursuing any College of Science major or minor. Connect with peers, faculty mentors and other transfer students to successfully build your network and navigate Mason’s robust, Carnegie Research 1 scholarly community.
C-STR is a two-semester program that begins with a Research Foundations Program in semester one, and a Research Readiness Program in semester two. New cohorts are launched in Fall and Spring Semesters. Join C-STR to receive:
- Exclusive access to C-STR seminars and research-intensive course work to develop your research skills.
- Support with finding and applying for undergraduate research and internship positions, fellowships, and more!
- Faculty and peer mentoring to support career planning, including graduate/health professions admissions.
C-STR will begin recruiting for the Fall 2026 Research Foundations program in May 2026. If you transferred into Mason and have limited research experience, we hope you’ll join our Fall 2026 cohort.
Mason Science Transfer Bootcamp
Pave your pathway to success as a first-semester Mason Science transfer student! Join us for one of our upcoming, interactive bootcamp that builds on what you learned in New Student Orientation and fully prepares you for life as a Mason Science undergraduate scholar.
New Transfer Bootcamp Agenda:
- Your GPS to STEM Success: Navigating Mason as a Transfer Scholar
- Get Mason Lab-Ready: Explore Lab Rules & Reporting
- New Transfer Q&A
The 2026 Transfer Bootcamp will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 3:30-4:15 p.m. Students who cannot attend the live session should register to receive a link to the session recording.
Transfer Pathways to Success
Community of STEM Transfer Researchers (C-STR)
Transfer Students, are you ready to start your STEM research journey? Register for C-STR, a (non-residential) learning community exclusively for undergraduate transfer students pursuing any College of Science major or minor. Connect with peers, faculty mentors and other transfer students to successfully build your network and navigate Mason’s robust, Carnegie Research 1 scholarly community.
C-STR is a two-semester program that begins with a Research Foundations Program in semester one, and a Research Readiness Program in semester two. New cohorts are launched in Fall and Spring Semesters. Join C-STR to receive:
- Exclusive access to C-STR seminars and research-intensive course work to develop your research skills.
- Priority selection for the 2025-26 RISE Scholars program, a bridge to undergraduate research program for students who transferred (check out RISE below).
- Support with finding and applying for undergraduate research and internship positions, fellowships, and more!
- Faculty and peer mentoring to support career planning, including graduate/health professions admissions.
C-STR is currently recruiting students for the Fall 2025 Research Foundations program. If you transferred into Mason and have limited research experience, we hope you’ll join our Fall 2025 cohort. Register for C-STR by September 26, 2025
RISE Transfer Scholars Program
Launching in Spring 2025 - Transfer Students, did you know that undergraduate research is among the most important career development experiences for STEM majors? In fact, most STEM graduate or health professions programs list multiple undergraduate research experiences as a key admissions requirement.
Funded by the National Science Foundation’s Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES program, Pre-register for the RISE Transfer Scholars Program, a bridge to undergraduate research designed to meet the unique needs of students who transferred into Mason.
Recruitment for RISE will begin in December, but to reserve your spot, register today for COS 300 (3 credits, asynchronous online).
Join RISE to receive:
- In-depth introduction to research and professional practice through Mason Impact Research-Intensive & Green Leaf-certified course, COS 300, Professional Preparation for STEM Disciplines (3 credits).
- Mentor matching support – get paired with a mentor to guide you in your research endeavors.
- Paid six-week, mentored summer research experience culminating in a RISE Research Symposium in June 2025.
- Scholarship support ($1000 in Spring 2025 and a $5000 stipend in Summer A 2025).
Interested students should complete the interest form and enroll in COS 300 for Spring 2025, and will receive notification when the formal recruitment window opens in December. Limited slots are available! Priority is given to C-STR participants
STEM (& Pre-Med/Pre-Health) Virtual Transfer Info Sessions
Prospective transfer students, join us on selected Wednesdays each month to:
- Explore Mason’s STEM degree options, get transfer planning tips, and course recommendations for STEM and health professions-focused students.
- Understand the different transfer pathways from Virginia Community Colleges, and how to transfer from other colleges/universities.
- Learn about STEM career readiness at Mason – including research and internships.
- Investigate scholarships and resources for future STEM teachers, premeds and other future health professionals.
Engage in live Q&A with our Director of STEM Access, Outreach, and Career Pathways.
STEM & Pre-Med/Pre-Health Transfer Info Sessions: Fall 2025
- Sep 10: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Oct 8: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Nov 12: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Dec 10: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Jan 14: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Feb 11: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Mar 4: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- Apr 8: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
- May 6: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
STEM/Pre-Health Transfer Pathways Planning Appointments
Prefer a one-on-one appointment? Map your transfer pathway to one of our cutting-edge STEM majors and minors here at Mason by signing up for a pre-transfer planning* appointment. Sign up HERE. (day and evening appointments available).
* These sessions are intended for students who are 1+ semesters away from transferring to Mason. Admitted students who are actively transferring into the university should schedule a pre-orientation advising appointment through the Office of Transfer Services or by emailing ugradcos@gmu.edu.
Mason Science: Transfer Bootcamp
Pave your pathway to success as a first-semester Mason Science transfer student! Join us for one of our upcoming, interactive bootcamp that builds on what you learned in New Student Orientation and fully prepares you for life as a Mason Science undergraduate scholar.
New Transfer Bootcamp Agenda:
- Your GPS to STEM Success: Navigating Mason as a Transfer Scholar
- Get Mason Lab-Ready: Explore Lab Rules & Reporting
- New Transfer Q&A
The Spring 2026 Transfer Bootcamp will be held on Friday, January 15, 2026 from 3:30-4:15 p.m. Students who cannot attend the live session should register to receive a link to the session recording.
VCCS Collaborative STEM Transfer Advising
Virginia Community College students and advisors: Check in with a COS transfer specialist to plan your pathway to Mason’s College of Science! Choose the best option: 1) Collaborative Planning Session (Joint meeting with Student & VCCS Advisor); 2) VCCS Advisor Collaboration (Advisor-Specialist Session). Email Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon at khilkerb@gmu.edu to request an appointment.
STEM Transfer Day
Students are raving about STEM Transfer Day!
“I enjoyed everything about the STEM Transfer Day event, from logistics to sessions, and souvenirs.”
“I ended up falling in love with the campus and what it has to offer.”
Discover what makes George Mason University a top destination for STEM transfer students. Mason is proud to be a Carnegie R1-ranked research institution with transfer-inclusive STEM and health programs designed to support your goals.
Event Highlights:
- Explore cutting-edge research and internship opportunities.
- Learn about programs and supports exclusively for transfer students.
- Connect with award-winning STEM faculty and current transfer students.
- Win Mason swag and prizes.
- Enjoy complimentary event parking and an optional campus tour.
This event is perfect for STEM students who:
- Are pursuing a major or minor in the College of Science, College of Engineering and Computing, or College of Public Health, including Mason’s Bachelor of Applied Sciences programs for contemporary students, and…
- Are exploring Mason as a potential transfer destination, or…
- Have already applied for transfer admission for the upcoming semester?
Thank you for joining us at STEM Transfer Day 2025! Be sure to save the date for next year’s event: Friday, February 27, 2026 | 1:00–3:45 p.m.
You can find additional information about transferring to Mason through the Office of Transfer Services.
If you have questions about our transfer programs, or if you would like additional information, please contact Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, Director of Educational and Career Pathways, at khilkerb@gmu.edu.