Success for STEM Transfers

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. 

Ready to start your STEM research journey?  Register for the 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. Join C-STR to receive:

Exclusive access to C-STR STEMinars and faculty/peer mentoring.

Priority enrollment in 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.

Interested students should complete the registration form.  Students planning to participate in the RISE Research Experience should also enroll in COS 300 for Spring 2025 (also recommended for non-RISE C-STR students).  Limited slots are available!

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

Confused about the STEM transfer process? Are you a pre-med/pre-health student and aren’t sure how to plan effectively? Ask our Mason Science’s STEM/Pre-Health transfer expert, Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, anything you want to know about transferring to Mason as a STEM/Pre-Health scholar.    

• Explore our STEM degree options, get transfer planning tips, and course recommendations for STEM and health career-focused** students.
• Understand the different transfer pathways from Virginia Community Colleges, and how to transfer from other colleges/universities.  
• Learn about STEM career readiness – including research and internships.
• Investigate scholarships and resources for future STEM teachers, premeds and other future health professionals.

When: Selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays

Please Register HERE (registration is capped at 10 students per session)

* Info Sessions are not held on federal or Virginia holidays, or other dates the university is closed (including inclement weather closures).  

** Note – Info Sessions are intended for students exploring a STEM major or a minor in Mason's College of Science (See Academics | GMU College of Science). These sessions do not provide information about admission to Mason's Nursing program or other College of Public Health majors. Students should visit the Office of Transfer Services for more information. 

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.

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 2025 Transfer Bootcamp will be held on Wednesday, January 15 from 4:30-5:15 pm. Register HERE. Students who cannot attend the live session should register to receive a link to the session recording.  

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.

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.”

Join Mason’s College of Science, College of Engineering and Computing, and College of Public Health to explore our transfer-inclusive community, and learn more about George Mason’s Carnegie Research 1-ranked, STEM and Health programs. Explore cutting-edge STEM facilities, research, and internship opportunities; connect with Mason STEM faculty and transfer students; win Mason swag and other prizes, and more!  Free event parking provided.  Limited, free round trip transportation is available from Germanna and Laurel Ridge Community Colleges. 

STEM Transfer Day 2025 will be held on March 21, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm.  In the meantime, please consider signing up for a virtual Info Session or one-on-one transfer planning appointment.