NOVA to George Mason Transfer Process

I'm attending Northern Virginia Community College and planning to transfer to George Mason University. How does the transfer process work between these two schools? Any advice on the application process or transfer agreements would be greatly appreciated!

Great question! The transfer process from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to George Mason University is facilitated by an agreement called the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA). As part of the GAA, you'll agree to graduate from NOVA with an associate degree, maintain a certain GPA (in most cases a 2.85, though some programs require a higher GPA, such as the College of Engineering and Computing), and fulfill other program-specific requirements.

Then, as long as the necessary conditions are met, you'll be guaranteed admission to George Mason—though admission to highly competitive programs and colleges, like the Volgenau School of Engineering, isn't guaranteed.

When it comes to the application process, you'll be applying as a transfer student to George Mason. The application form you'll use is the Common Application, and there are different deadlines depending on when you plan to transfer (for example, the Spring semester deadline is different from the Fall semester deadline).

In addition to the application form, you'll need to provide your official transcripts from NOVA and any other colleges you've attended. For best results, make sure to submit your documents well before the deadline.

When filling out your application, take the time to write a strong personal statement. This is your chance to explain why you want to transfer to George Mason and what you hope to achieve there. While this might not be the most significant factor in your application, a well-written personal statement can certainly enhance your application.

Moreover, George Mason does not require letters of recommendation, but you can submit up to two if you believe they will strengthen your application.

Lastly, keep in mind that thanks to your participation in the GAA program, your transfer course credit is pretty straightforward. Courses with a grade of 'C' or higher within your degree program at NOVA will be transferred to George Mason.

Keep in touch with your academic advisors at both NOVA and George Mason throughout this process. They can guide you on course selection, financial aid matters, and additional steps you need to take to make your transfer process seamless.