George Mason University Freshman Orientation: A Comprehensive Guide

Orientation at George Mason University (GMU) is designed to help incoming undergraduate students successfully transition into university life. This guide provides a detailed overview of the orientation process, including required steps, key programs, and resources available to new students and their families.

Preparing for Orientation: A Checklist

To ensure a smooth start at George Mason University, all incoming undergraduate students should complete the following steps before their orientation date:

Register for Orientation: Three to five business days after you have paid your enrollment deposit to Admissions, you will be able to register for orientation. There are two required parts of New Student Orientation: (1) On-Campus Orientation and (2) Virtual Advising & Registration. Currently, all freshmen are charged a $350 New Student Fee and all transfer are charged a $275 New Student Fee upon registering for their first semester of courses.
Complete Patriot Preview: After you’ve registered for Orientation, complete the Patriot Preview “Before Orientation” module prior to your orientation date. Patriot Preview gives you essential information about George Mason to help inform your Orientation experience. Set aside 2-3 hours to complete the modules before your Orientation date. *For Transfer students: Download your completion certificate after finishing the modules. To access your course, go to patriotpreview.gmu.edu and log-in with your NetID and password (Patriot Pass). Once in the MOL Orientation Patriot Preview course, you will be asked to complete several Orientation modules. The course navigation menu will walk you through the course modules in the order they should be accessed. Upon completion of the modules, click the "Certificate of Completion" link on your menu. Students should expect it will take you approximately 4-6 hours to explore all the resources in this course and to earn your certificate of completion.
Download Mason360: Download Mason360, the new student engagement app - available on iOS and Android! Use this app to access additional resources for new students, meet fellow Patriots, discover events, and get involved in the #MasonNation.
Submit Your Mason Card Photo: The Mason Card Office offers online photo submissions, and we highly encourage you to submit your photo as soon as possible! This will save you time on your Orientation day and guarantee that you like your photo. Once your photo has been approved, you can activate your Mason Mobile ID.
Submit Immunization Records: Student Health Services must receive your immunization records by January 15 for Spring Semester start and August 1 for Fall semester start.
Review and Accept Financial Aid: Access PatriotWeb to accept or decline your financial aid package. For more information, contact Financial Aid Services.
Submit Official Documents: Be sure to submit official transcripts, AP and IB scores, and any other necessary documentation to Admissions.
Apply for Housing: The Fall housing application will open mid-April. The Spring housing application becomes available in November.
Complete Placement Tests (If Required):
- The Math Placement Test is required for students taking Math 105, 108, 113, 123, 125, and CS 112 ONLY. Virtual testing sign up options will open in Patriot Connect, and are only for students who are outside of a 50 mile radius of GMU. Click here to schedule a Virtual Math Placement Test.
- The Foreign Language Placement Exam requirements are also connected to your field of study and should be taken as soon as possible. Available November 17 for Spring Admits and May 1 for Fall Admits.
Pre-Orientation Advising Appointment (For Transfer Students): Transfer students have the additional option to participate in a pre-orientation advising appointment with their academic college. This is not required, but serves as additional support and advising prior to your Virtual Advising and Registration session. IMPORTANT: Participating in pre-orientation advising does NOT replace your required On-Campus Orientation or Virtual Advising & Registration sessions. Schedule a pre-orientation advising appointment with an advisor in your college through Patriot Connect. You can find information about your Academic Advisor and available programs here. **Please Note: Academic colleges and schools will begin fielding pre-orientation advising requests on November 17 for Spring start and May 1 for Fall start. You will need your completion certificate from Patriot Preview to book your appointment.

Orientation Components

On-Campus Orientation

This is a core component of the orientation program, designed to immerse students in the campus environment. It involves:

Building relationships with peers
Interacting with key campus resources
Learning campus traditions

Virtual Advising & Registration

This virtual session is crucial for academic planning and course enrollment. It focuses on:

Learning about your academic college/major
Receiving academic advising
Registering for your classes

Post-Orientation Checklist: Preparing for Your First Semester

You’ve completed Orientation, now get ready for your first semester at Mason! This checklist is designed to help all incoming undergraduate students complete the necessary steps to prepare for their semester after attending their Orientation.

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Activate Accounts: Ensure our accounts are active and functioning.
Purchase a Parking Permit: Purchase a Parking Permit at transportation.gmu.edu, if needed.
Plan for Move-In Day: Plan for your Move-In Day, if applicable. Find more information at housing.gmu.edu.
Get Your Mason ID and Meal Plan: Get your Mason ID and Meal Plan, if needed.

Key Programs and Events

Preamble

Preamble takes place each fall prior to the start of classes for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. We have planned a number of fun and informative events throughout the Preamble designed to get you acquainted with campus and the Fairfax area! The Preamble occurs every fall semester and is a series of events leading up to the first day of classes that help students prepare for the semester. Some sessions are mandatory and others are optional. The schedule will become available as the semester approaches, but until then, you can see an example schedule at welcome2mason.gmu.edu/thepreamble.

Welcome2Mason

Welcome2Mason are the weeks following the start of the semester and consists of optional programs and events for all students that they can pick based on their personal interests. These university and student organization-led events give students the opportunity to learn how to get more involved on-campus and build connections with other Mason students. More information about event can be found at welcome2mason.gmu.edu.

First-Year Programs

First-Year Programs are designed to facilitate meaningful connections among first-year students, faculty, staff, and campus resources.

Family Orientation

George Mason University recognizes the important role you - our parents, family members, and supporters - play in your student's development and success, which is why we are dedicated to providing a smooth transition to Mason for you and your student. New Student and Family Programs offers a one-stop shop parent and family portal for all students of the University. We encourage you to join the Mason Family Connection to begin receiving university announcements, newsletters, and read articles to continue supporting your Mason student. Students are able to register guests for Family Orientation in the student’s orientation event registration portal. The On-Campus Family Orientation program is curated to provide the most essential information for those supporting a Mason student and will run concurrently with the student program that day. See Self-Paced Family Orientation materials. Dr. Gregory Washington, our university President, and Rose Pascarell, our Vice President for University Life are active in the Mason community and invested in supporting all Mason students and families.

International Student Orientation

The International Student Orientation process is MANDATORY. Complete Patriot Preview “Before Orientation” module, prior to either of your session dates. Virtual Advising & Registration will focus on learning about your academic college/major, receiving academic advising, and registering for your classes. You will have multiple options to choose from when registering. International On-Campus Orientation will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The day will focus on building relationships with peers, interacting with key campus resources, learning campus traditions, and more. It will begin at 8:30am and run until approximately 5:45pm. This is a live, virtual Zoom meeting and will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 9am Eastern. Please hold this day and time.

Orientation for Military, Online and Distance Learners (MOL) Students

We know there are many ways that students can complete their college degrees, and we are pleased that you have chosen to continue your journey with Mason. Note: This is NOT an alternative Virtual Orientation program, which was built and phased out for campus-based students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because you are a MOL student, a special Orientation platform has been curated for you via Patriot Preview, Mason’s online module platform. This online orientation is designed specifically for distance learners to provide you with all the information you need to start your Mason experience. Three to five business days after you have paid your enrollment deposit to Admissions, you will be able to register for orientation. Although you will see a “session date” when registering in the portal, your Orientation is completed in an asynchronous manner (on your own time) but is DUE by the date on the session you select.

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