<p>I’ll address many questions here:</p>
<p>VTEngineer: That is definitely not true. I know plenty of people who got into all three, and chose GMU over them because they wanted a smaller campus (which is still a good size, about 700 acres on main campus), and they didn’t want to feel “stuck” in the town. At GMU, you can voyage into DC, Maryland, etc with no problem. So it’s not at all that people are bitter, just preference. I could have gotten into both UVA and VT as a transfer, and didn’t even consider them, because I’ve lived in small towns all my life, and I wanted that city feel, which I got.</p>
<p>Michaelburt: I don’t know anything about the scholars program. I’m sure that if they offered you a scholarship, you’ll do just fine though. </p>
<p>mkm56: They are close to finishing their first research building that is pointed towards bio sciences and other things (last I heard that’s what it was for). In-state residency is just the same as any state I believe. Work in the state for a year, and you may claim in-state. Going to school in VA for four years won’t be considered in-state residency since you’re there for academics and not as a career. I personally wouldn’t rank any other schools in Nova. The only other university is Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, and it’s smaller and less reputed than George Mason. Moving up farther North, and you hit the DC privates. Since DC isn’t really a <em>state</em>, there are no public schools. All average about 28,000 a year tuition. </p>
<p>Hope these help.</p>