New Students

Before You Arrive
at George Mason University

Congratulations on your admission to George Mason University. We are looking forward to welcoming you when you arrive on campus to begin school. We know you have a lot to do and probably have many questions about preparing to leave home and travel to Fairfax. Please read the following information carefully. It will provide you with the information you need and answer most of your questions.

Pre Arrival Checklist

Getting Your F-1 or J-1 Visa

Express Delivery of Immigration Documents

Travel to the United States

Travel to George Mason University

Housing Guide

Travel to George Mason University

George Mason University has four campuses located in Virginia. The largest Campus is the Fairfax campus which is approximately 20 miles West of Washington D.C. The Fairfax campus is accessible by public transportation; the closest Metro station is the Vienna Metro station where a bus service connects to the campus. Mason also has a campus in Arlington, accessible by Metro (Virginia Square station, approximately a 40-minute ride from Fairfax), and a new campus in Prince William County, accessible by car and shuttle service (approximately a 45-minute ride from Fairfax). For more detailed directions you can visit: http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html

From the Airport to George Mason University

The easiest way to get from the airport to Fairfax or Arlington is by taxi or shuttle. For taxi and shuttle rates please visit www.supershuttle.com or www.redtopcab.com. Some international student organizations arrange airport pickups for newly admitted international students. You can refer to oips.gmu.edu for more information and a list of international student organizations. You can also travel from the airport to campus by public transportation.

Transportation around Fairfax and Washington, DC

There are many forms of public transportation available.

• The CUE Bus goes between the Fairfax campus, Fairfax city and the Vienna metro station: www.fairfaxva.gov/cuebus/cuebus.asp
• Metrorail Bus: http://www.wmata.com/metrobus/
• Fairfax County Connector: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/
• Washington, DC Metrorail: www.wmata.com
• The Mason Shuttle: http://shuttle.gmu.edu/

Refer to http://transportation.gmu.edu for more information.