Welcome to Mason and Family Orientation!

Learn more below about attending one of our on-campus Family Orientation experiences! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (703) 993-2475 or orientu@gmu.edu.

George Mason University recognizes the important role you - our parents, family members, and supporters - play in your student's development and success, which is why we are dedicated to providing a smooth transition to Mason for you and your student. Family Orientation is an important part of this transition.

Family members and supporters will be able to experience Orientation components in up to two ways: (1) Self-Paced Videos and/or (2) On-Campus Orientation based on student population status: Freshmen, Transfer, International, or Mason Online.

For all:
Our Self-Paced Family Orientation materials are web-based and can be found on this website. Families and supporters are encouraged to browse our video resource library and view content of interest in a way that works best for your schedules! See this link VIRTUAL FAMILY ORIENTATION RESOURCES or the button at the bottom of this page.

New Student and Family Programs offers a one-stop shop parent and family portal for all students of the University. We encourage you to join the Mason Family Connection to begin receiving university announcements, newsletters, and read articles to continue supporting your Mason student.  

For Families of Freshmen, Transfer, or International Students:
Students are able to register guests for Family Orientation in the student’s orientation event registration portal. The On-Campus Family Orientation program is curated to provide the most essential information for those supporting a Mason student and will run concurrently with the student program that day. This means that students and families will largely be separated for the bulk of the program, but attend on the same day. 

If your email was designated on your student’s admission application to Mason, you will receive an email to register for On-Campus Family Orientation through your student’s registration portal. If you have not received an email about Orientation, please work directly with your student to have them include you on their registration form, or contact New Student and Family Programs directly for assistance. There is a fee to attend as a guest alongside your student that you will be re-directed to pay after submitting the registration form.

For Families of Mason Online students:
See Self-Paced Family Orientation materials. There are no on-campus programs based on nuances of these degree programs.

A Welcome from our University Leadership:
Dr. Gregory Washington, our university President, and Rose Pascarell, our Vice President for University Life are active in the Mason community and invested in supporting all Mason students and families. Let them be the first to welcome you to the Mason community.

Click on the button below to start your self-paced Family Orientation experience and gain access to useful campus resources for new members of the Mason community!

Visit orientation.gmu.edu for information about your student's Orientation program.