This is my first BLOG post since arriving in South Korea and for my inaugural international recruitment trip Seoul is a great place to start. It is a vibrant city with plenty of history but also has a modern "metro-feel" to it. I began my visit with a trip to Yonsei University where I met with students and faculty in the College of Social Studies' Department of Public Affairs. I also spoke with staff from Underwood International College which is one of Yonsei University's youngest programs. Today I visited the Korean-American Fulbright Commission which assists Koreans in their quest to study in the United States.

These visits have been wonderful opportunities to promote George Mason University and the School of Public Policy. Explaining in detail the application process for international students, financial assistance opportunities that SPP offers, and the dynamic coursework that pervades our school's curriculum is a very satisfying experience and makes me eager to attend the American International Education Fair this weekend.

As my fifth day in Seoul comes to a close, it has been a very enjoyable and rewarding trip and I look forward to my future visits to Busan, South Korea and Shanghai, China.

From Seoul, South Korea...

Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

SPP has always had an international focus to all of its degree programs. We realize that the study of policy and the actual work of policy-making is not something that occurs solely within the United States. Because of this, SPP requires that students take part in courses that give them the ability and skills to think comparatively and globally about policy processes and problems that happen around the world. Added to this is the option to take part in our fantastic Study Abroad program. These intensive trips build on subjects such as policy-making, international trade, regional development, culture, and security in a real-world setting.

Due to the importance that the School of Public Policy places on an internationally focused curriculum, the Admissions Office is embarking on its first recruitment trip abroad. I will be arriving in Seoul, South Korea on March 23rd. My visits will include Yonsei University, the Korean-American Fulbright Commission, Seoul National University as well as the American International Education Foundation's Recruitment Fair. From Seoul I fly to Busan, South Korea for a two-day visit which will include attending a recruitment fair. From Busan I fly to Shanghai, China and will take part in a large recruitment fair on April 6th as well as visit some of Shanghai's top Education Centers. To view a detailed itinerary of all of our stops, please visit http://policy.gmu.edu/admissions/admis_recsched.html.

I am excited to be taking this trip on behalf of SPP Graduate Admissions and look forward to meeting prospective applicants in both countries. As my trip progresses, look for further BLOG posts detailing my travels!

Tennille Haegele
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

When considering graduate school there are many factors to keep in mind, but the factor that typically weighs the heaviest upon one's mind is funding. Most applicants look for scholarships or research assistant positions through the school, but may not be aware of the other avenues for funding available. The following is a compiled list of five sources of funding available to School of Public Policy (SPP) students.

1. SPP offers Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) for full time Ph.D. students. These awards are offered for students applying for the fall term only. To be considered for a GRA, please indicate this on the application for graduate study. The GRAs provide tuition remission for three courses in both the Fall nd Spring terms and an annual stipend.

2. SPP awards a merit-based scholarship to our most academically talented master's applicants. Applicants will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships if GRE scores are submitted prior to the review of the admission application.

3. The Academic Common Market (ACM) is an interstate agreement among southern states for sharing academic programs. Participating states enable their residents who qualify for admission to enroll in specific graduate programs in other states, that are not offered in their own state, without having to pay out-of-state tuition. Participating states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. To find out more about this program please visit their website: http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp

4. In-state-tuition is available to residents of Virginia who have lived in Virginia for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment and can show intent to remain in Virginia. To show intent to remain in Virginia you should be registered to vote and have a driver's license in Virginia, and have filed a Viginia income tax return for the 12 months prior ro the term in which you enroll.

5. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you can see if you qualify for receiving federal aid through grants, loans and work study programs. You can find this form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

For additional tips and sources for graduate funding please visit George Mason's Financial Aid website at http://finaid.gmu.edu/. International Students can find information about funding at www.gmu.edu/student/oips/students/finaid.html. Currently enrolled master's and Ph.D. students can find information on funding scholarship opportunities on our website at: http://policy.gmu.edu/academicservices/scholarshipinfo.html.

Labels: Financial Aid, Research Assitantships, Scholarships, Tuition