Starting on Your Path
Congratulations on your admission to the Honors College. Follow the five steps below to register for your courses and prepare for your first semester as an Honors College student.
Step 1: Consult a Sample Schedule
Select an appropriate 2024-2025 Honors College sample schedule for the major you would like to pursue. For now, it does not matter which major you might have listed when applying to Mason. If there is no Honors College sample schedule for your major, contact hcadvise@gmu.edu. If you plan to double major, consult all appropriate Honors College sample schedules. Please note that there are Honors College sample schedules for undecided majors.
Step 2: Draft a First Semester Schedule
Scheduling Your First Semester Classes
Use the 2024-2025 sample schedule for the major that you intend to pursue at this time in order to select the appropriate courses for Fall. Use the Schedule of Classes to make sure your classes do not meet at conflicting times, making sure to write down the course name, five-digit course registration numbers (CRNs), course number, section number, and number of credits for each class you select. For instance, write down: "Principles of Research and Inquiry - 75311 - HNRS 110 - 001 (4 credits)."
Students are billed extra for each credit over 15 and should not take more than 17 credits per semester.
Need help with scheduling your classes? Check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for incoming students.
AP/IB, Dual Enrollment, and Transfer Credit
You will take into consideration any anticipated AP/IB, Dual Enrollment, or transfer credit you expect to receive; however, you will not be able to register for classes that require that credit as a pre-requisite until your scores have been received by the University and posted on Degree Work. While you are waiting for a score, make sure to register for the class that you would need if you do not do well on your AP/IB test or are unable to get this credit. This ensures you have classes on your schedule while you wait for your scores. You can always change your selection when the scores come in. Honors College students receive the same AP/IB, Dual Enrollment, or transfer credit as all other Mason students; some of this credit may be applied to the Honors requirements.
Math Placement Testing
Many students will need to take a math placement test. Consult the Math Placement Testing website to understand math placement testing for math coursework. Honors College students who plan to take Math 105, 108, 113, 123, 125, or Computer Science 112 usually should take the Math Placement Test to see what level of math they are ready for. The Math Placement Testing website will let you know what scores you need to place into each class. Honors College students who plan to take Math 106, 110, Math 111, Statistics 250, or SOCI 213 don’t need to take a math placement test.
Students who already have qualifying AP Calculus or IB Math HL scores in hand do not need to take the Math placement test. However, students who took these classes, but have not yet gotten their scores back should still take the placement test, even if they are confident that they scored high enough for the courses they need. Waiting for scores will make scheduling much more difficult.
Language Placement Testing
Some students need to demonstrate proficiency in a language as part of their major requirements. For instance, students pursuing a Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree will need to do so before they graduate. Students who have some level of proficiency in a language taught by Mason faculty will be allowed to complete a self-evaluation to place into the appropriate level of their foreign language classes. If you complete a self-evaluation for placement in a course, please inform your instructor on the first day of class so that the instructor can verify your proficiency. Other options, including taking an in-person placement test and additional information, can be found on the Modern and Classical Languages placement website.
Step 3: Get Approval
The Honors College orientation is soon, so we are no longer accepting submissions on our pre-orientation schedule approval form. But our advising and registration process for incoming students is still ongoing.
To receive the advising and support necessary to register for Fall 2024 courses, please contact your Honors College advisor. A list of advisors, sorted by major, can be found here.
For general advising questions, please email hcadvise@gmu.edu.
Step 4: Register for Classes
You will have the opportunity to register for classes the day of your Virtual Orientation session. More details will be provided at that time. Consult your Honors College advisor.
If you haven’t already, you must first sign up for a Patriot Password using the claim code you received in your acceptance packet. If you need help with this, please contact Information Technology Services Support Center at (703) 993-8870. You will use Patriot Web to register.
Having trouble? Check out our helpful guides to assist you through that process:
- How to register - PDF or Video
- Common Registration Errors
- Wait List Guide
Once you have registered for your courses, you will be able to see your completed schedule in Patriot Web. You will find your schedule in Patriot Web under the Student Services tab, when you select Registration and then Student Schedule. This is your complete course schedule. If a class isn’t listed, you are not registered for it. Wait listed courses will appear as 0 credit courses. If you decide to change your schedule later, you will use Patriot Web to add/drop classes.
Step 5: What's Next?
Orientation
If you have not done so already, please register for an orientation. If you are unable to attend the Honors College orientation (Virtual: June 24th and In-person: June 27th), please contact the Honors College at least a week before your scheduled orientation. The email address is hcadvise@gmu.edu.
Taking the Math Placement Exam
See the math placement website for more information.
AP/IB Scores and Dual-Enrollment
In order to receive credit for AP/IB or dual-enrollment courses you will need to have your scores or transcript sent directly to Mason Admissions. You may also want to see what to do when these scores arrive, if you need Math, Computer Science, or Chemistry scores as pre-requisites for classes you intend to take in Fall.
Foreign Language Placement Exam
Many students come to college with a background in a language other than English. If you are considering pursuing a language you have previously studied, it is probably a good idea to take the foreign language placement exam, either before or during orientation.
Purchasing Books
Once you have registered for your courses, you can view the books required for your classes through the Mason Bookstore. Keep in mind that some required books may not be reported to the bookstore until the end of Summer.