Undergraduate Orientation

Freshmen students enrolling for the Fall 2025 semester will meet with a Costello College of Business academic advisor and be able to register for classes during their orientation. Register for George Mason Orientation here.   

Start preparing for your transition to college now by reviewing the following resources:     

• Find out  if your AP or IB high school classes will fulfill any of your degree requirements.   
• Learn more about University 100, a 1-credit transition course designed specifically for first-year students. 
• Learn more about Global Gateway, a global experience specifically designed for first-year students.   
• The Impact Fellows Program delivers an innovative social impact curriculum tailored to students through a wrap-around two-year cohort-based experience that builds leadership and change making skills and fosters personal value evaluation and development.  
• See how George Mason’s Learning Communities can enhance your college experience.  

1. George Mason’s International Student Orientation is designed to help transition new international students to George Mason and expose you to George Mason’s broad educational opportunities. Transfer international students are invited to complete the Costello College of Business’s Pre-Orientation process prior to their on-campus arrival. Please visit our ‘Pre-Orientation Advising’ drop-down for more information! It is essential that you bring copies of your transcript - both what you submitted to George Mason University and the organization that evaluated your international transcript.  
2. Upon arrival, check in immediately with the Office of International Programs and Services. The office can help you understand immigration and other requirements for international students.    
3. If you believe one or more of your courses did not transfer correctly, you may submit one copy of your international evaluation with your re-evaluation request as well as an official course description for each course. If possible, try to get these descriptions before you leave your country and keep copies for future use. George Mason will need these descriptions to determine the level and credits for the course. Official course descriptions must be in English or processed through an official translator. Get help translating documents into English.   

Transfer students are eligible to register for classes on May 1st for the Fall 2025 semester. If you have not already, please view the “Pre-Orientation Advising” drop-down for information about the optional pre-orientation advising to meet with an academic advisor before your George Mason orientation.   

The following checklist outlines the information you need to know now and in the future:          

• Submit final transcripts from all your previous institutions. This includes submitting a transcript after completing any courses you are currently taking and after any degrees are posted on your transcript.  
    
• To understand how courses transfer over to George Mason, the Office of Admissions has provided course equivalency information in the Transfer Credit Matrix. This is not a complete list for all schools.  
   
• When you receive admission to George Mason University, you will receive a "Transfer Credit Evaluation" which lists the courses you took elsewhere and their respective course numbers at George Mason. Using this worksheet and your Degree Audit System, you can determine how your courses transferred to George Mason, the courses you have completed within your degree, and those you have yet to complete. 
     
• If there are courses you have taken that do not appear on your transfer credit evaluation and you have already submitted your final transcripts, you need to complete the Transfer Credit Inquiry Form that can be obtained online or from George Mason's Office of Admissions in Johnson Center, room 213.
     
• If you have courses transferring in as electives (e.g., ACCT---, ECON---), but you think they are equivalent to George Mason courses, you should review the Transfer Credits section of our Policies and Procedures page.  You will use the transfer credit re-evaluation form if you feel that your course needs to be re-evaluated to count for another course. 
   
• If you are transferring from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) or Richard Bland College and are finishing your AA or AS at the community college before transferring to George Mason:         
  • If you transfer before completing your degree, you may have to take additional courses to fulfill requirements.      
  • Make certain that the George Mason Admissions Office has a copy of your final transcript stating that you have earned your AA or AS degree. Without a final transcript, George Mason's Office of Admissions cannot process your Guaranteed Admissions Agreement general education waiver.          
  • Review Common Virginia Community College Transfer Courses that apply to Business courses.     

Get a Head Start with Pre-Orientation Advising!   

The Costello College of Business offers Pre-Orientation Advising to help you prepare for your Virtual Advising and Registration session (Orientation). This is an opportunity for you to connect with an academic advisor one-on-one before your group orientation session.   

Why Should You Do Pre-Orientation Advising?   

• Individualized Support: You’ll meet one-on-one with an advisor who can answer your specific questions.  

• Faster Registration & Planning: You’ll know what classes to register for before orientation and view your personalized Degree Audit so the process is quicker and less overwhelming.  

• Transfer Credit Review: If you're bringing in credits, we’ll help you understand how they apply to your degree.    

Getting Started is Easy!   

• Starting May 1, you’ll get an email with instructions on accessing the Pre-Orientation Advising modules. You’ll receive this email within a week of submitting your enrollment deposit.  

• Complete the online modules at your own pace.  

• After finishing the final survey, you’ll get an email with instructions on how to schedule your one-on-one advising meeting.    

Is Pre-Orientation Advising Required?   

No, but we strongly recommend it! Attending Pre-Orientation makes your Virtual Advising and Registration session easier and more efficient. You will be coming to your group orientation session with a plan in place and already know what to expect.   

Complete Pre-Orientation today to make your transition smoother and stress-free!   

Accounting Certificate students do not need to attend the Costello College of Business and George Mason Orientation; however, you will need to review the Accounting Certificate Orientation presentation slides. They contain important information about the accounting certificate curriculum, policies and procedures.  

You can make an appointment with an Academic Advisor if you have any questions or need assistance. 

• E-mail: masonbus@gmu.edu  
• Phone: 703-993-1880 

After you review the presentation and registered for courses, contact New Student and Family Programs at 703-993-2475 to request an Orientation Waiver for being an Accounting Certificate student.