George Mason Class of 2012 Forum

[pomona]

Just letting everyone know I got my Fin. Aid package today! I live 30 minutes from the school so if you live further away you probably wont get it until tomorrow or this weekend. I am wondering if I should accept the aid or wait to see if I get a scholarship when they get redistributed (but it said the accept or decline was due back in 4 weeks).

They are raising in state tuition by about $2,000 a year, so I think it said the estimated cost was $20,552 so my federal loans will just barely cover it, but then I will have to take out private loans for childcare/books/etc. Still a great deal for law school though.

I got my fin aid package in the mail as well. Did anyone else get their's besides KristaLyn? I am a bit confused because all it mentioned were the federal loans, not my scholarship that I was notified of separately. Shouldn't the package mention both?

[cowpie23]

Confused about financial aid as well. Mine also only listed Federal Stafford loans for $20,500. But what about loans covering Cost of Attendance and all that? Every other school gave me Grad Plus loans to bridge the gap between Stafford loans and/or scholarships. It seems like Grad Plus loans are better than having to take out private loans.

[reidmacharg]

GMU gives GradPlus. That's how I'm covering my other half of the expenses. Contact your financial aid adviser for GMU, which you can find on the website http://www.gmu.edu (Counselors are assigned to you based on your last name), and (s)he'll hook it up.

[*kiki*]

So I haven't received my financial aid package yet, but I had to send in my taxes seperately because I filled out the FAFSA before having my taxes completed. So I assume that I will get mine once they review that information. I am not too concerned though, since I spoke with my financial aid advisor already and she assured me that I would be receiving adequate financial aid.

On another note though, I thought it was kind of funny how George Mason sent us all those little flash drives right before seat deposits were supposed to be due. I kind of feel like they were trying to buy our love with gifts. But it was kind of exciting to receive something tangible from them.

[KristaLyn]

So I haven't received my financial aid package yet, but I had to send in my taxes seperately because I filled out the FAFSA before having my taxes completed. So I assume that I will get mine once they review that information. I am not too concerned though, since I spoke with my financial aid advisor already and she assured me that I would be receiving adequate financial aid.

On another note though, I thought it was kind of funny how George Mason sent us all those little flash drives right before seat deposits were supposed to be due. I kind of feel like they were trying to buy our love with gifts. But it was kind of exciting to receive something tangible from them.

Wait?! I didnt get anything from them...

[pomona]

So I haven't received my financial aid package yet, but I had to send in my taxes seperately because I filled out the FAFSA before having my taxes completed. So I assume that I will get mine once they review that information. I am not too concerned though, since I spoke with my financial aid advisor already and she assured me that I would be receiving adequate financial aid.

On another note though, I thought it was kind of funny how George Mason sent us all those little flash drives right before seat deposits were supposed to be due. I kind of feel like they were trying to buy our love with gifts. But it was kind of exciting to receive something tangible from them.

Wait?! I didnt get anything from them...

Sadness! Neither did I!

[PubIntLawyer]

So I haven't received my financial aid package yet, but I had to send in my taxes seperately because I filled out the FAFSA before having my taxes completed. So I assume that I will get mine once they review that information. I am not too concerned though, since I spoke with my financial aid advisor already and she assured me that I would be receiving adequate financial aid.

On another note though, I thought it was kind of funny how George Mason sent us all those little flash drives right before seat deposits were supposed to be due. I kind of feel like they were trying to buy our love with gifts. But it was kind of exciting to receive something tangible from them.

I kinda thought it would have something on it (pdfs of courses/job placements, etc). But I was still pretty excited!

[*kiki*]

I am sure that those of you who didn't recieve the little USB drive from them will be getting one soon. It really wasn't a big deal. Maybe they sent mine so quickly because I had already sent in my seat deposit.

[mceese31]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone know when we hear (if we are lucky enough) about getting second round of scholarships?

[sapereaude2012]

I just sent in a seat deposit today! I'm really leaning toward GMU right now, but I also deposited at Pepperdine because of a generous scholarship offer. I hope GMU decides to give me money in the second round of scholarship consideration and I can join you all in Fall 2009!!

[cqphan89]

I just sent in a seat deposit today! I'm really leaning toward GMU right now, but I also deposited at Pepperdine because of a generous scholarship offer. I hope GMU decides to give me money in the second round of scholarship consideration and I can join you all in Fall 2009!!

Good luck with George Mason it's such a good school. From what I've read, it's that up and coming school that many lawyers and faculty believe is a diamond in a rough. So many opportunities.

[KristaLyn]

I got my little USB thingy today! So they just must send them when they get your seat deposit.

For everyone asking about scholarship money, I just got a very nice email from Dean Price and she said they haven't received enough withdrawals to redistribute it yet, but they hope to within the next few weeks.

[AbsolutLax]

Yeah I got my USB, but a scholli would be nice too

[sapereaude2012]

I just sent in a seat deposit today! I'm really leaning toward GMU right now, but I also deposited at Pepperdine because of a generous scholarship offer. I hope GMU decides to give me money in the second round of scholarship consideration and I can join you all in Fall 2009!!

Good luck with George Mason it's such a good school. From what I've read, it's that up and coming school that many lawyers and faculty believe is a diamond in a rough. So many opportunities.

Thanks! I appreciate the input. I have gotten the same vibe. I feel like the small size, location, opportunities, and career prospects might just make it worth the extra $60k. Might. I've got some thinking to do

[cqphan89]

I just sent in a seat deposit today! I'm really leaning toward GMU right now, but I also deposited at Pepperdine because of a generous scholarship offer. I hope GMU decides to give me money in the second round of scholarship consideration and I can join you all in Fall 2009!!

Good luck with George Mason it's such a good school. From what I've read, it's that up and coming school that many lawyers and faculty believe is a diamond in a rough. So many opportunities.

Thanks! I appreciate the input. I have gotten the same vibe. I feel like the small size, location, opportunities, and career prospects might just make it worth the extra $60k. Might. I've got some thinking to do

Yeah, it's a real tough decision. But in the whole scheme of things... 60K really isn't all that bad. I don't know your specific situation so I can't advise but as I'm sure you know... don't let 60K make the decision for you. Now if it were 150K that's a big difference. 60K, once you walk out and make good money you can pay back in no time. Let the outside factors draw you in.

Good luck with everything. You're in a good position.

[sapereaude2012]

Yeah, it's a real tough decision. But in the whole scheme of things... 60K really isn't all that bad. I don't know your specific situation so I can't advise but as I'm sure you know... don't let 60K make the decision for you. Now if it were 150K that's a big difference. 60K, once you walk out and make good money you can pay back in no time. Let the outside factors draw you in.

Good luck with everything. You're in a good position.

I agree that 60k isn't that much in the grand scheme of things, but its 60k MORE at GMU. I could graduate at Pepperdine (assuming I keep the scholarship) right around 100k in debt. At GMU it would be closer to 165k (unless I could get in-state). I really do appreciate your help though!

[AbsolutLax]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

[sapereaude2012]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

That is some great news! Does anybody think this might be any indication of an increase in GMU's overall ranking?

[awaiting]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

Anyone else having trouble with link? All I get is some 30 second video of a guy talking about the economy.

[PubIntLawyer]

I couldn't get the link to work either, but saw the first five posted elsewhere. I'm really excited/just told my mom I'm attending a top 5 school in the fall (and then mumbled the whole part-time-rankings thing )However, I'm pretty surprised that American is #4. So I'm wondering if anyone knows how they made these decisions...it can't be based just on lsats/gpas or it would just end up being whichever T14s have p-t programs.

[awaiting]

Found what seems to be the video here: http://theshark.typepad.com/weblog/2009 ... -five.html

And the top 5:
1. Georgetown University
2. George Washington University
3. Fordham University
4. American University
5. George Mason University

Kind of annoying that they're so concentrated in DC.

[awaiting]

I couldn't get the link to work either, but saw the first five posted elsewhere. I'm really excited/just told my mom I'm attending a top 5 school in the fall (and then mumbled the whole part-time-rankings thing )However, I'm pretty that American is #4. So I'm wondering if anyone knows how they made these decisions...it can't be based just on lsats/gpas or it would just end up being whichever T14s have p-t programs.

I think they factored in whether the fulltime faculty is also the parttime faculty, since some schools have "night" profs?

[Bankhead]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

That is some great news! Does anybody think this might be any indication of an increase in GMU's overall ranking?

I would think it would signal a decrease, if anything, since AU is lower than GMU in the full time rankings, yet is ahead in the PT rankings. This ranking may be a disappointment for GMU, losing out to a "lesser" local competitor.

[sapereaude2012]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

That is some great news! Does anybody think this might be any indication of an increase in GMU's overall ranking?

I would think it would signal a decrease, if anything, since AU is lower than GMU in the full time rankings, yet is ahead in the PT rankings. This ranking may be a disappointment for GMU, losing out to a "lesser" local competitor.

That went through my head too. I doubt it has any bearing at all to be honest. Like was suggested above, it probably has to deal with having full-time faculty teaching night classes, and possibly general flexibility and the ease with which one can transfer to ft? Many pt students have careers and value flexibility, and I know that GW and GMU are very relaxed and GMU even will let you bounce back and forth between pt and ft

[pomona]

George Mason is now ranked the number 5 part-time program in the country
--LinkRemoved-- ... &rf=fr_std

That is some great news! Does anybody think this might be any indication of an increase in GMU's overall ranking?

I would think it would signal a decrease, if anything, since AU is lower than GMU in the full time rankings, yet is ahead in the PT rankings. This ranking may be a disappointment for GMU, losing out to a "lesser" local competitor.

That went through my head too. I doubt it has any bearing at all to be honest. Like was suggested above, it probably has to deal with having full-time faculty teaching night classes, and possibly general flexibility and the ease with which one can transfer to ft? Many pt students have careers and value flexibility, and I know that GW and GMU are very relaxed and GMU even will let you bounce back and forth between pt and ft

The impression I got from the students at ASD is that after first year at GMU, the FT and PT students really mixed a lot in classes -- so not exactly that you're bouncing back and forth btwn FT and PT, but that everyone is on a similar schedule after the first year.