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New International Students
We're Here to Assist You!
 The Office of International Programs and Services provides a variety of services to assure that
international students and scholars have a positive experience at George Mason University and in
the United States. Because federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 status are very complex and
change from time to time, OIPS staff works to keep you informed of the regulations and strives
to protect students from the consequences of not abiding by federal regulations.
We want every international student to thrive in their American educational adventure,
and here are some of the services we provide to ease your adjustment and the adjustment of your
family members:
- International Student Orientation
- Guidance on practical issues (housing, banking, driver's licenses, student clubs, etc.) and cultural adjustment
- Advice on maintenance of status, school transfers, employment options, Social Security numbers, inviting family members to the United States, visa renewal, changes of status, etc.
- Issuance of forms I-20 and DS-2019
- International Week and International Dinner Dance
- Outings (Washington, D.C. tours, ice skating, bowling, movies, basketball games, etc.)
- International Coffee Hours held at all campuses (coffee, cookies, networking)
- Language Partner Program
- International Classroom Program
- Activities for spouses of Mason students and scholars. Children always welcome
- Endorsements of immigration documents to facilitate re-entry to the United States after a trip
abroad
- Informational Workshops
- Guidance on international tax issues
- Newsletter with OIPS updates
- Express delivery of immigration documents
| Office Hours |
| OIPS is located in Student Union Building (SUB) 1, room 310.
The office is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm,
with extended hours on Tuesdays during the spring and fall semesters until 7:30 pm (by appointment). |
| To see an advisor, please come during our "walk-in" hours, or call
to schedule an appointment. Please note that advising on tax issues
is by appointment only. OIPS serves about 1,500 international
students and scholars. We ask that you please observe our office hours
so that we may serve you better. |
Walk-In Hours: Monday: 10am - 12pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 2pm - 4pm |
Academic Policies & Terms
 The University Catalog contains information about the university, its programs of study,
admission requirements, policies, etc. It also describes the classes offered by each department.
The Schedule of Classes is published each semester and it lists all classes offered that semester
and where and when they meet. It also contains information on how to register for classes,
deadlines for tuition payment, etc. Below are a few of the most important things students need
to be aware of. Refer to the University Catalog and meet with an academic advisor when you
need clarification on anything relating to academics.
Students are usually assigned an academic advisor at the department of their program/major.
Make sure to contact your department to find out who your advisor is and set up a meeting with
him/her. Your advisor will help you set up a plan for your studies and help you select classes.
Undergraduates who have not yet selected a major, have any concerns about how to plan for future
semesters, are thinking of changing majors, or who have any questions relating to academics,
should contact the Office of Academic Advising in SUB 1, room 304, phone (703) 993-2470, for advice.
Good Standing
Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a satisfactory grade point average (GPA)
of at least 2.0 every semester. Graduate students should maintain a 3.0 GPA. If your grades fall
below the expected norms, you will be contacted by the Office of the Registrar.
The following will happen if your GPA falls below the satisfactory level:
- Academic Warning
Students receive an academic warning at the end of an academic period (semester) if their grade
point average is below 2.0 (1.8 for freshmen), or 3.0 for graduates. Graduate students also
receive a warning if they receive a grade of C, F, or N in any course.
- Academic Probation
Undergraduate students who receive two warnings during any four consecutive academic periods
of enrollment will be placed on probation during the academic period following the second warning.
Probation may contribute to dismissal.
- Academic Suspension
Undergraduate students 1) receiving academic warnings in two consecutive periods of enrollment,
or 2) receiving a second probation are suspended.
Students who are suspended for the first
time may not enroll in the subsequent academic semester and the adjacent summer.
Students who are suspended for the second time may not enroll for one calendar year.
A third suspension results in dismissal. International students who are on suspension
should plan to leave the United States or transfer to another school until the suspension
is lifted and they can continue their studies at Mason.
- Academic Dismissal
Students are asked to leave the university and will not be permitted to return in the future.
Undergraduate students are dismissed when they receive a third academic suspension.
Graduate students are dismissed upon accumulating either grades of F in two courses
or nine credits of "unsatisfactory" grades.
| Commonly Used Abbreviations |
GPA |
= Grade Point Average |
CGPA |
= Cumulative Grade Point Average |
TBA |
= To be Announced |
POI |
= Permission of Instructor |
MWF |
= Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
TR |
= Tuesday, Thursday |
Important Academic Terms
Credit Hour
A unit of instruction by which courses are measured. Most courses are worth 3 credit hours.
Lab and activity courses are exceptions. Undergraduate degree programs usually require 120-122
credit hours, and generally take four years to complete. Graduate programs very. A master's
degree required a minimum of 30 credits, and doctoral programs require a minimum of 42 credits
(if a master's has previously been earned).
Registration
Registration is the process you go through to sign up for classes. Meet with your academic advisor,
check class listings, and register for courses on line at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/.
Your user ID is your G number and your password is set as your birth date in MM/DD/YY format.
Instructions for registering can be found at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/QGRegistration.pdf
and answers to frequently asked questions about registration can be found
at: http://www.registrar.gmu.edu/students/faqs.html.
Information about classes for which you are waitlisted can be found at:
http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/registration/waitfaq.html.
Students in F-1 or J-1 status must register for a full course load each semester;
undergraduates must take a minimum of twelve credits, and graduates a minimum of
nine graduate-level credits.
Electives
Courses that are not required of all students in the degree program, but necessary in order
to graduate.
The number of electives varies from major to major.
Prerequisites
Specific courses or number of credits that you must have completed before you can register
for a course.
Add/Drop Period-Adjusting Your Schedule
After registering for classes, you may change your schedule by adding or dropping classes
during this period. Please refer to the schedule of classes for exact dates each semester.
Please see an international student advisor in OIPS before you drop below full-time
(12 hours for undergraduates and 9 hours for graduates).
-Last day to add a class is two weeks from the first day of classes
-Last day to drop a class is five weeks from the first day of classes
After these five weeks you can only drop a class for non-academic reasons such as a health
or family emergency, and you will need to see the Dean of your academic department to take
that class off your records. Use the Patriot Web system to drop your course. If you want
to change your schedule, and you are still full-time or have been approved by an advisor in
OIPS for reduced course load, it is crucial to successfully drop the class within this period.
If you do not drop the class from your schedule and you stop attending the class, you will
end up with a failing grade. The F will stay in your records and affect your GPA negatively.
Also keep in mind that students in F-1 or J-1 status must take a full course load each
semester, unless permission is granted by OIPS to take a reduced course load.
Semester
A semester is made up of 15 weeks of classes, and one week of final exams. GMU offers two
semesters, fall and spring, and three short and intensive sessions in the summer. F-1 and J-1
students are not required to take classes during the summer unless their I-20 or DS-2019
specifies a summer start date, but must be enrolled full-time during fall and spring.
Unsatisfactory Performance
Receiving a grade point average for the semester below 2.0 (undergraduates) or 3.0
(graduate students).
Honor Code
When applying for admission to GMU, all students sign a statement agreeing to uphold
the Honor Code. The Code sets forth what constitutes cheating, plagiarism, stealing,
etc., with the purpose of promoting a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect,
trust, and fairness among all members of GMU. It is very important to understand what
your responsibilities are, because the consequences of violating the Honor Code can be
very severe. Please refer to the University Catalog for the full text of the Honor Code.
Students who are caught cheating or in some other way violating the Honor Code risk
dismissal from the university.
How to Compute your Grade Point Average (GPA)
| Grade points for each semester are assigned as follows: |
A |
= 4 |
A- |
= 3.667 |
B+ |
= 3.333 |
B |
= 3 |
B- |
= 2.667 |
C+ |
= 2.333 |
C |
= 2 |
D |
= 1 |
F |
= 0 |
To calculate your GPA, take the number of credit hours of each class, and multiply the grade points (see above).
Add the grade points for all classes, then divide the total grade points and divide by the
number of hours attempted.
Example:
| Course |
Credit Hours |
Grade |
Calculation |
| ENGL 101 |
3 |
B |
3x3 = 9 |
| MATH 108 |
3 |
D |
3x1 = 3 |
| HIST 121 |
3 |
C |
3x2 = 6 |
| COMM 120 |
3 |
A |
3x4 = 12 |
| PSYCH 100 |
3 |
F |
3x0 = 0 |
| Total hours attempted = 15 |
| Total grade points = 30 |
| 30/15 = 2 (overall GPA) |
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Safety
 In an emergency situation when you need assistance from the police, fire department, or
emergency medical care, the number to call from anywhere in the United States at any time
is 911. If you call from campus, you will be connected to University Police.
To reach University Police for any non-emergency concerns, call (703) 993-2910.
Free Escort Service
When you stay late on campus, you can call the Escort Service and someone will come to the
building where you are and walk with you to your dorm room, car, or bus stop. The service
is free, and it's open 7 days a week between 6:30 pm and 1:30 am. Call (703) 993-4357 (993-HELP).
On campus, you can use the emergency call boxes if you find yourself in a situation where
you need immediate help. The outdoor emergency phones that are spread around campus
connect your directly to campus police.
Street Sense
A few things to keep in mind for your general safety:
- Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings wherever you are
- Always lock the door to your apartment, house, and car
- Do not hitchhike and do not pick up hitchhikers
- Do not flash large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry
- Close your purse or bag. Do not leave it open with your wallet and keys accessible
- Avoid walking by yourself through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys after dark.
- If you have to stay at school late, ask a friend to walk with you to your dorm, car, or bus stop,
or call the Escort Service on campus at (703) 993-4357.
- Send the message that you are calm, confident, and know where you are going.
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid that person or leave.
- Know the neighborhoods where you live. Check out the locations of police and fire stations,
public telephones, hospitals and restaurants and stores that are open late.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County, with more then 960, 000 people within its borders, is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. The county is dedicated to providing services at the most economical cost to meet the needs of this large and diverse population.
It is important that you be aware of the broad array of county services available to you and of your responsibilities as a Fairfax County resident.
The directory of services to help you find the appropriate department or agency performing the services you are seeking can be found on the Fairfax County website. You can also search the online version of the Newcomer's Guide.
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Checklist for New International Students
We want to meet you, and verify that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) admitted you in the appropriate status. The U.S. Government requires us to keep copies of your passport and I-20 or DS-2019, in our files. We will:
- Copy your documents
- Have you sign the International Student Responsibility Agreement
- Record your address and telephone number & emergency contact information
- Answer your questions
- Complete your immigration transfer (only applicable to transfer students. Note that an immigration transfer has to be completed within 15 days of the start date on your I-20)
2. Meet with an Academic Advisor
Make an appointment with an advisor in your academic department to help you decide what courses to take. Undeclared undergraduates should go to the Academic Advising Office in SUB I, room 304. Exchange students should check in with the Center for Global Education, Johnson Center, Room 235.
3. Register for Courses
Check class listings and register for courses online at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/. Your User ID is your G number and your password is set as your birth date in MMDDYY format. Instructions for registering can be found at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/QuickGuide.pdf, and answers to frequently asked questions about registration can be found at http://registrar.gmu.edu/patfaq.html. Information about classes for which you are wait listed can be found at http://registrar.gmu.edu/waitlistfaq.html. Students in F-1 or J-1 status must register for a full course load each semester; undergraduates must take a minimum of twelve credits, and graduates a minimum of nine graduate level credits.
4. Pay Tuition and Health Insurance by Deadline
F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled in the GMU health insurance plan, and payment is due at the same time as tuition. Deadline for payment of tuition, fees, and health insurance is August 28. (See http://fiscal.gmu.edu/Resources/NewTuitionPaymentPolicyFall.pdf for the tuition payment policy.) Note: If you do not pay by the deadline, there will be an additional cancellation fee of 10% or $250 (whichever is less) added to your account. Pay at the Cash Office, SUB I, room 104, using cash, check, Visa or Master Card, or pay with Visa or Master Card online at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/. If you have arranged for third party billing, you are responsible to ensure that payment is received by the deadline. Please check online at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu to verify that your bill has been paid. You will also be assessed a $25 fee for third party billing processing costs.
5. Get a GMU Student ID Card
Get your Mason ID card in the Photo ID Office, SUB II once you have registered for classes. The card is used as a library card and as a debit card (if you sign up for a meal plan or Mason Money). With the card, you can ride the CUE bus for a discounted rate, get free tickets at the Center for the Arts, free admission to the Aquatic Center, the Field House, and more.
6. Activate Your E-Mail Account
Activate your email account at mail.gmu.edu (click on the "Activating My Account" link). E-mail is free of charge, and is often used for coursework and as a means for the university and OIPS (through our newsletter) to post important announcements. Place a "forward" from your Mason account if you prefer to use a different email system so that you don't miss university announcements.
7. Meet with the Tax Coordinator
Anyone who has employment (e.g. on-campus work, assistantship) or receives any kind of benefit from GMU (e.g. fellowship, athletic scholarship) must meet with the tax coordinator to complete tax forms, and learn how to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) or an ITIN number
8. Update Your Local Address by logging on to https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/ within 10 days of
your move
Remember to update your records any time you move. Failure to report current address can result in a "hold" being placed on your account (see below). Your change of address will be reported the Department
of Homeland Security through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Please see the Updating Your Address web page for directions on how to do that.
9. Present your Immunization Documents to the Student Health Office
Bring records of vaccinations to the Student Health Office, SUB I, room 215, within the first semester. If you do not have records, or if you did not obtain a required immunization, you may get the shots you need at Student Health for a minimal fee. Failure to comply will result in a "hold" placed on your account (see below).
10. Adjust Your Class Schedule within the Add/Drop Period
If you wish to change your schedule, do so within the add/drop period, using the Patriot Web system. To simply stop attending a class is not sufficient as this will result in a failing grade that will stay on your record. When adding a course, it is not enough to get verbal permission from the professor. You must use the Patriot Web system to add that course, or get a force-add slip and add in person at the Registrar's Office. Dropping a class after the deadline requires permission from the Dean. Refer to the Schedule of Classes or the Registrar's website at registrar.gmu.edu for deadlines and procedures. Remember you MUST BE FULL TIME.
11. How to Avoid Holds, Late Fees and Cancellation Fees
If you fail to comply with certain requirements at Mason, a "hold" will be placed on your account. A hold means that you will not be able to register for courses, check out library books, or receive official transcripts, etc., until you have resolved the problem causing the hold. If you find that you have a hold on your account, login to the Patriot Web system at https://patriotweb.gmu.edu, or call the Registrar's office at (703) 993-2441, to find out the reason for the hold. Once you resolve the issue, the hold will be lifted.
To avoid a hold, make sure to...
- Present your immunization records to Student Health within the first semester
- Pay outstanding balances such as telephone bills (if you live on campus), parking tickets,
library fines, etc. at the Cash Office, or pay with a credit card using Patriot Web
- Keep your address updated with the OIPS and the Registrar's Office, https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/
- Fill out and return the Foreign National Information Form to the tax coordinator in OIPS if you work on campus, or receive any benefits such as a fellowship, or room and board
To avoid unnecessary late fees, and cancellation of your classes...
- Pay tuition, fees, and health insurance by the first day of classes (August 28 for Fall 2005)
- Return books to the library on time
- Avoid getting parking tickets, but pay on time if you do get one
- Pay housing and telephone bills on time if you live on campus
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