Orientation FAQs

Is orientation mandatory?
Yes, Orientation is mandatory for all new students before they begin their first semester at Mason.

There are many benefits to attending orientation – students will meet faculty, staff, and administrators, speak with an academic advisor, register for classes, meet other new students, spend time with a Patriot Leader (current Mason student), learn more about campus life and support resources, and develop even more Patriot Pride!

For Campus-based students, you will complete Orientation through 2 events: (1) On-Campus Orientation and (2) Virtual Advising and Registration. You will first attend your On-Campus Orientation session, then attend your Virtual Advising & Registration session. International and Honors students will attend Virtual Advising & Registration prior to their On-Campus Orientation date.

For online-degree earners, you will complete remote modules. More information can be found on the Mason Online (MOL) Orientation website. 

Do I have to stay for the entirety of both Orientations?
Yes, Orientation covers essential content for students to be successful at Mason, and incoming students must attend both sessions in order to be eligible to register for classes. You can view the schedule of events here.

What if I need to change my orientation dates?
To change either your Virtual Advising and Registration date and/or your On-Campus Orientation date, simply return to the registration form. Scroll to the date selection section, click the “x” to the right of the selected date, then click the box, and a drop-down list of available date options will be shown. From the list, click the desired new date and then submit the form. If you “x” your On-Campus Orientation date, it will also remove your Virtual Advising & Registration date, as your On-Campus date must come first.

Troubleshooting: If the form has trouble re-submitting, please scroll through the form and ensure all required information is completed. If none of the remaining dates work, you can contact our office directly.    

Is there a fee to attend Orientation?
Freshmen students enrolling for the first time are charged at $350 and Transfer students are charged $275. More information can be found at New Student Fee.

This fee covers all costs associated with Orientation and New Student Programs including, but not limited to preparation and materials, mailings and publications, catered meals, parking, etc. The fee also covers new student programs offered during the school year. This mandatory, non-refundable, one-time fee will appear on each student’s account upon registering for classes, so students do not pay an upfront fee for orientation, it is directly billed. The fee is assessed regardless of enrollment or Orientation attendance.

Guests are assessed upfront Orientation fees that are processed through a Mason-connected payment platform. Adult guests(ages 13+) are charged $55 per person and $25 per child(ages 3-12), children 2 years of age and under are free.

What should I bring to Orientation?
Items that are helpful to have at Orientation can be found in the orientation confirmation and reminder e-mails sent to each student after they register. Students will also receive reminder e-mails in the week leading up to Orientation to their GMU email account.

Generally, for the on-campus orientation, we suggest bringing

• a water bottle
• phone charger
• a laptop or tablet
• any necessary medications
• weather gear (there are often afternoon summer storms in Virginia requiring an umbrella or rain jacket; sunscreen can also be helpful for hot summer days, etc.)
• anything else needed to be comfortable for a day-long program.

We will provide a bag on-site to both students and guests if you do not bring one.

For the virtual program, please be at a place with a strong internet connection, otherwise feel free to have whatever you need with you for a few hours. You may be asked to put your camera on, so be aware of that for your virtual session. 

How and where do I Park for the on-campus Orientation program?
Complimentary parking for all Orientation sessions will be provided in Lot K. Parking Permits are not needed in Lot K during your on-campus orientation session. Parking in any other lot or parking garages will be at the cost of the individual.

I didn’t submit my Mason ID photo before the on-campus Orientation, can I take my photo there and pick up my ID?
If a student does not submit an ID photo and have it approved prior to Orientation, students can take an ID photo on the morning of their on-campus orientation session after they check-in at the main tent. Any student who does not submit their photo in time will need to visit the Mason Card Office on their own time before or after Orientation to get a Mason ID.

Is Housing Provided during my on-campus Orientation?

No, there is no on-campus housing provided during Summer orientations.

We encourage students and guests to check out our hotel partners for discounts if they choose to stay in the area around the on-campus orientation session. 

I am unable to attend any of the Orientation dates. What should I do?
Please contact New Student and Family Programs at 703.993.2475 to learn more about options and next steps. Students should be prepared to provide official documentation of their inability to attend as orientation is a required program.

How do I register a guest for Orientation?
Guests can only attend the on-campus orientation. You will register on the student registration form and pay the fee for attendance after the form is submitted and is re-directed to the payment portal.

To update or add guests for your on-campus event, please return to the registration form. It can be found in the event confirmation email or in your initial email invitation to register for the program.

Will my family members and guests be with me during Orientation?
Students will be with their guests during parts of on-campus Orientation, but several sessions are designed specifically for students. During these programs, family members and guests will be in programs specifically designed for them and separated for half of the day.

Families and guests are NOT permitted to attend Virtual Advising and Registration. If guests would like programming during that time, we encourage them to review our Virtual Family Resources. 

Can my friend come with me to Orientation?
Students are not encouraged to bring friends with them to on-campus Orientation. Despite their relationship to the student, friends are still considered guests and will be required to go through the family and guest orientation program versus accompanying their friend through pieces of the student orientation program.

Use the on-campus program as an opportunity to make new friends with peers also entering GMU with you! 

Is the guest fee refundable if my guest ends up not being able to come?
Guest fees are non-refundable as communicated in the guest orientation registration process before submitting payment. If you are unsure if your guest can attend, we encourage you to wait to register guests until they can confirm that they can attend or bring a guest day-of as a “walk-in” and pay with a credit card at check-in. Pre-registration is preferred so that we can ensure materials will be available.

How do I take the Math Placement Test?
Review the requirements for the math placement exam in preparation for advising and course registration. This is only required for certain majors and degrees. It is preferable to take this test on-campus either as a walk-in Monday-Friday or during your On-Campus session. If you prefer to take it remotely, you will find that registration link in your GMU Virtual Advising and Registration confirmation email.

How do I take the Foreign Language Placement Test?
Review the requirements for the language placement exam in preparation for advising and course registration. This is only required for certain majors and degrees.

Can I register for classes before Orientation?
No, all course registration will occur during the Virtual Advising & Registration date. There is no advising or registration during the on-campus orientation session. 

In preparation for course registration, please watch the “How to Register for Classes in Patriot Web” Video. 

How do I contact my academic advisor after Orientation?
At your Virtual Advising & Registration session, the college and/or program will give students information on how to contact their advisor beyond the session. Not all students get advised by their permanent advisor, but all will receive instructions on how to communicate with them as they begin classes. For additional information, contact your college or school’s academic advising office.

There will be sessions during the on-campus program about housing on or off-campus. 

When will I receive information about on-campus housing, roommate assignments, and move-in instructions?
Students can log in to their account at housing.gmu.edu for more information. As always, keep checking your Mason email account for important university updates during this transition. 

How do I find off-campus housing?
For information on off-campus housing, please visit offcampus.gmu.edu.

When are my immunization records due and how do I submit them?
Student Health Services must receive immunization records by January 4 for Spring Semester and August 1 for Fall Semester start. Students can bring completed copies with them to their orientation session to give to Student Health Services directly. Failure to turn in Immunization Records before the deadline will result in a late fee charge and hold on the student’s account, which will prevent them from registering for the next semester’s classes.

For additional information regarding immunizations, please contact the Student Health Services Immunization Office at 703-993-2836 or immunize@gmu.edu. Immunization forms are available at shs.gmu.edu/immunizations.

How do I get a parking permit for the school year?
Once students have registered for classes and received a Mason ID, they can purchase their parking permit. Parking permits are available from Parking Services, located in the Parking Services Building next to the Sandy Creek Parking Deck. Students can also purchase their permit online at transportation.gmu.edu. Check the Parking Services website for information about when permits will be on sale.

Is there an office that provides services to students with disabilities?
If students have a documented disability, the office of Disability Services is available to serve them. The office is in Student Union Building I, Room 4205, on the Fairfax Campus. Check ds.gmu.edu for more information.