Admissions Blog

We've had a very good start to the new academic year, including welcoming a record number of incoming students to our five master's programs. Just before the start of the semester the School hosted an orientation for the entering students, beginning with a welcome breakfast with the Dean and faculty. Students then broke into smaller groups and were guided through various information sessions to equip them for dealing with all the rigors of graduate study. Students enthusiastically embraced this opportunity to launch their graduate careers with confidence and to settle into a new experience.

The School of Public Policy (SPP) offers a variety of Study Abroad opportunities every year. These include trips to Mexico, India, South Africa and Oxford. The program based in South Africa has been particularly successful. Student Jenny Whitmar commented that:

New graduate students have a lot to do in preparation for their first semester. There are forms to complete, meetings to attend, books to buy and much more. To keep track of all these tasks the SPP Student Services Office has created a New Student Webpage. On this page you can find answers to some frequently asked questions, such as where to find your course syllabus, where you can buy your books, how to register or get on a waitlist, etc. If you have any additional questions please remember that you have a valuable resource in your Academic Adviser.

A little over a year ago I decided to study abroad. I hadn't taken the opportunity to do so during my undergraduate years, so I wanted to take advantage of the many study abroad options we have as SPP students here at George Mason. My initial interest was to study in Cuba, though the State Department would not allow GMU SPP to offer the program. Having studied Spanish in college, Mexico seemed like the next logical option if I wanted to brush up on my language skills and visit Latin America.

As the main admission processor here at SPP I receive many questions from applicants about the admissions process. The question that pops up consistently is whether all required application materials--goals statement, resume, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation--need to arrive at our office all at once, or whether each can be mailed separately. Indeed, having all your material arrive together will make processing your application easier, but it is not necessary. We will hold and update your application file as your credentials arrive to our office, as well as hold onto any that arrive before you fill out an online application or mail in a paper one.

During my travels to Korea and China, I spoke with hundreds of prospective international applicants who did not know where George Mason University was located, what kind of weather we enjoy, or in what kind of city we are located. All of these questions are practical in nature and made me realize how important this information is for someone making the choice to go to school in another country. This BLOG will hopefully clarify some of these issues. Enjoy the Q&A and let SPP know if you have further questions.

After a 14 hour plane trip, I finally made it back to the U.S. on the evening of April 9th. Experiencing Korea and China was an amazing opportunity but it was also good to be back home and in a routine again. As promised, I wanted to make this BLOG about some of the more pertinent questions I received from interested international applicants. I hope that this Q&A is helpful but if it brings up any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at spp@gmu.edu. We are here to help answer your questions at any time!

While there are a variety of excellent classes offered by the School of Public Policy, two classes stand out in particular for me. These classes are PUBP 501 (Policy and Organizational Analysis) and PUBP 503 (Culture, Organization and Technology). These classes are offered every Fall and Spring semester. I took PUBP 501 last semester (Fall 2007) with Dr. Rainer Sommer and was immediately intrigued by the topics he covered in the course. Dr. Sommer's background and expertise in Enterprise Architecture makes his PUBP 501 section especially unique. The course examines "organizational dynamics" and how technology is altering it. Some of the topics covered in the course are: organizational structures, business process, strategic planning, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and enterprise integration. While technical in nature, Dr. Sommer takes a gentle and non-technical approach to teaching the subject which makes the material easy to absorb for students with a non-technical background like myse Read More »

Shanghai is an amazing city with towering skyscrapers set against traditional Chinese gardens and architecture. The people of China have been very welcoming and I've had the opportunity to speak not only with prospective applicants from China during the Shanghai fair on April 6th but I also had the opportunity to tour the US Campus Center the next day. The US Campus Center is a nonprofit organization, stationed here in Shanghai and created to assist Chinese students in their quest to study in the United States as well as build relationships with U.S. high schools, colleges and universities.

As I write this BLOG I'm sitting in Busan, South Korea's international airport on my way to Shanghai, China. Surrounded by mountains and near the water, Busan is a beautiful city along Korea's east coast. I represented George Mason University and the School of Public Policy at the AIEF fair on April 1st and, although a smaller venue than Seoul, was able to talk to prospective applicants extremely interested in studying in the United States.