Application Requirements

In order to expedite the processing of your application, you may upload unofficial transcripts into your application. You will still be required to submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions. However, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for admissions review.

One official transcript from all institutions attended is required. The preferred method for submission of transcripts is as electronic submissions from the institution's Registrar's Office to ugtrans@gmu.edu. If necessary, transcripts can be mailed directly from the institution's Registrar's Office to the address below:

Office of Graduate Admissions
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MSN 4C8
Fairfax, VA 22030

The mail stop number is crucial to the address. Failure to use it may result in a delay in the processing of the application or even in lost documents.

Please review the Transcripts page on the Office of the University Regsitrar's website for further questions about transcript submission.

The people best suited to provide recommendation for graduate study on the applicant's behalf (recommenders) are faculty members, university administrators, or internship supervisors who are in a position to knowledgeably discuss the applicant's academic potential for graduate study, as well as the applicant's personal qualities and experiences. Applicants who have been out of school for some time are welcome to submit recommendations from supervisors.

Near the end of the online application process, applicants will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of each recommender. Once the application is submitted, the application system automatically notifies recommenders that they have been named as recommenders and tells them how to submit the letter online.

It is appropriate to ask the recommenders in advance if they would be willing to submit a recommendation. Consider alerting recommenders after the online application is complete to be on the look-out for the electronic notice asking for them to complete the recommendation form.

You can resend a recommendation request through the Self -Service Center. However, in order to change the name of a recommender, you will need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (masongr@gmu.edu). Letters will not be accepted in lieu of this electronic form.

Please note: Recommenders must submit these forms online by following the prompt sent through email. If the recommender is not able to use the online system, they may submit recommendations directly to masongr@gmu.edu. Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted by the applicant on behalf of the recommender, unless they are in a signed and sealed envelope from the recommender.

Contact the testing company directly to request that official scores be sent electronically to George Mason University. The George Mason institutional code for most standardized exams is 5827.

Mason accepts only official scores sent directly from the test agency to the university. Most test scores are valid for five years.

For most graduate programs

State your professional plans and career objectives in 750 to 1,000 words. Include your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice; your reasons for this particular degree in relation to your academic background, professional work experience, and career goals; and your reason for choosing George Mason University.

Health Policy, MS: The expanded goals statement must address and include the following: (1) your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice; (2) how your work experience (paid or volunteer) and academic background are relevant to this particular degree at George Mason University; and (3) your specific career goals in the short-run (1 to 2 years) after completing the program.

Health Services Research, PhD: Instead of the general statement, submit a 1,000 word written statement of academic goals describing your research area of interest for advanced study in health services research and goals post-graduation.

International applicants (those with an undergraduate degree from outside the United States) should review their additional requirements as listed on the international applicant page of the Admissions website.