Pre-Orientation Advising for New Transfer Students
Check back in late April for an update on advising for Fall 2024 admits.
Welcome to Mason! As a new transfer student, orientation is an important first step in your transition to the university. We created a set of virtual orientation modules that you can complete prior to beginning at Mason.
The virtual orientation content contains short videos and resources for many things related to your undergraduate experience (degree requirements, transfer credits, registration information) that can be done at your own pace. We request that you complete the transfer student virtual orientation modules before attending orientation or scheduling an appointment with your assigned academic advisor. By doing so, we can have a more thoughtful conversation that addresses questions and concerns specific to your unique circumstances if you already have an understanding of your academic requirements.
Upon completion of the virtual orientation modules in Blackboard, we invite you to schedule a pre-orientation advising appointment with your assigned advisor. Many students enjoy the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with their assigned advisor prior to orientation. You can use this time to address any questions or concerns you have about your Mason degree requirements or transfer credits, discuss your anticipated classes, and identify resources and opportunities that will help you maximize your time at Mason. Students who complete a pre-orientation advising appointment are also able to enroll in classes before their orientation date.
Log into Blackboard with your Mason credentials and click on the "Organizations" tab at the top of the page. You should see "Criminology, Law & Society Advising". You can access virtual orientation by clicking "TRANSFER STUDENT VIRTUAL ORIENTATION" on the left-hand side of the page.
If you log into Blackboard and do not see the Criminology, Law & Society Advising page listed, please contact your assigned advisor directly to access this content.
CLS advisor assignments are based on the first three letters of the student's last name as follows:
- Last Names A-Ban: Kristin Tyburczy
- Last Names Bao-Gil: Jada Crocker
- Last Names Gim-Mid: Alexandro Villarroel
- Last Names Mie-Sor: Olivia Inturias
- Last Names Sos-Z: Elli Ambros
Beginning November 15th, you can schedule an advising appointment with your assigned advisor upon completing the virtual orientation modules in Blackboard.
In-person and virtual appointments are available Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. You must first activate your GMU email account to access the appointment scheduling system. Instructions for setting up your email can be found on the ITS website here.
Once your email is active, please visit http://gmu.campus.eab.com and reserve your appointment. Step-by-step appointment scheduling instructions can be found here.
- Select the "Pre-Orientation Advising" service when scheduling the appointment. Use the comments field to indicate anything else you wish to discuss during the session.
- Pay attention to the type of appointment you are scheduling. Each advisor offers both in-person and virtual appointments; make sure you sign up for your preferred modality.
- Check your Mason email address for additional instructions from your advisor before your appointment.
Make sure to also complete the pre-orientation form on the Admissions website so the posting of your transfer credits will be expedited.
- Transfer Credits: If you are enrolled in courses at your current institution, or recently completed courses since you last submitted your transcript, we will not have a record of those. When you speak with your advisor, make sure to have unofficial transcripts from your current/previous institutions available so you can be accurately advised.
- We encourage you to complete a Pending Transfer Credit form to your assigned advisor prior to a pre-orientation advising appointment. You can access this form on the right-hand side of this website.
- Do I still need to attend orientation? Yes! Pre-orientation advising will only cover your academic requirements. Transfer orientation offers many important sessions such as finances, transitioning to the university, housing, and there is a panel presentation from current Mason students who came in as transfers, like yourself. During the pre-orientation advising appointment, your advisor will specify what sessions that you must attend on the live orientation day.
