George Mason University

As an Electrical Engineering graduate student at George Mason University, I have come to learn a few things about the program. We are given many opportunities through projects to gain practical knowledge by applying what we have learned in lectures. I believe I have learned the most from all the projects I've had in my classes rather than from exams. Professors always make themselves available whether in person or electronically and are very accommodating to students. They understand that many students... Read More are working full-time and are willing to work around students' schedules if necessary. Some classes are purely based on theory, and I've noticed that those classes seem to be harder to grasp for many students since there is little practical application or real-world examples.

GMU is a large, diverse school in a great location. Its proximity to DC means that there are lots of internship and job opportunities (for both during and after college), as well as professors who are at the tops of their fields and offer fantastic networking. GMU isn't your typical small-town college campus - you have on-campus housing, but you also have a ton of off-campus options, and there is a lot to do nearby since it's in a suburban location outside of a major city. The university has continued... Read More to grow (both in size and in reputation) - this means that degrees earned there are increasing in value. When I say that I went to GMU, people recognize the name and are impressed. Overall, I couldn't have made a better choice.

I'm in the second semester of my M.Ed - Curriculum and Instruction program at GMU. I have an Elementary Education focus and. I am in the semester long internship cohort, so I attend graduate school part time, and will complete the program over the course of six semesters. I have never felt more supported or cared for in my education than I do right now. The College of Education and Human Development faculty is amazing. The professors understand that my cohort members and I have families and jobs... Read More outside of school and are flexible when life gets in the way of our studies. The cohort model offered by GMU allows for students to build invaluable professional relationships while working towards their degree. On the topic of professional relationships, my field experiences thus far have been incredible. The schools and teachers I have worked with have been upstanding examples in the field of elementary education. I wholeheartedly recommend George Mason University's M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction program to all who are interested.

As a graduate student, I will find many opportunities to work with professors. Working with professors will provide excellent work experience in my specialized field of study. On average, students with graduate degrees from GMU earn a higher salary than students with only a bachelors degree. Many jobs now prefer to hire applicants with graduate degrees, and so a graduate degree could present a job opportunity unavailable to undergraduates. Graduate school can be expensive if I don't have any source... Read More of financial aid. Graduate school can be stressful for some, including myself, because of the depth at which graduate students study their subject.

As a graduate student at George Mason, I feel fortunate to be surrounded by others committed to equity in education. In the Multilingual/Multicultural program, I am expanding my experiences beyond the classroom (I taught bilingual education for six years and am now a coach). I am thinking about and having discussions around issues that most educators do not discuss. I love the program. The downfall is that I am paying quite a bit out of pocket since I am still paying off undergrad loans (and will... Read More be for some time). I would not leave the program because I feel so fortunate to be in it. The commute to Fairfax from DC schools and the price are the only downfalls to my graduate program overall at GMU.

I am doing a PhD at GMU and according to me it provides great facilities which includes libraries to study, food court, dorms to live on campus. Besides this, also having writing center, English language class, resume writing tips, job fairs and social activities to make new friends and create a good network. Faculties are easily accessible and are kind enough to help their students. However, transportation facilities are not that good for all the area in Fairfax. Mason shuttles are not accessible... Read More for all the region in Fairfax and also not available to travel to Arlington campus. But, surrounding area covers almost all the basic needs plus some fun place as well.