ECONnections

February 2024

ECONnections February 2024
ECON Academic & Advising News

From the Economics Department:

Need tutoring for ECON 100-level courses? Email econbsba@gmu.edu to be added to the Economics Tutoring Organization within Blackboard.

The Mason Department of Economics 2024 Nobel Laureate Essay Contest is now open to all undergraduate BS/BA Economics majors and Economics minor students.

The essay submission deadline is Monday, March 18th, 2024, before 11:59 PM, EST. (No late submissions will be accepted). The essay contest award's 1st prize is $500 and the 2nd prize is $250.

Students on academic probation, warning, or suspension should contact an ECON Academic Advisor at econbsba@gmu.edu for guidance and advising support and to learn more about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences PASS program.

Students with a GPA below 2.0 are required to schedule an advising appointment with their Undergraduate Economics Advisor and must complete a Student Advising Meeting (SAM) form.

Visit Mason's Department of Modern and Classical Languages (MCL) for more information about foreign language requirements, foreign language placement tests, and foreign language waivers. 

Updated Math Placement Test Policies:  Visit the Math Department website to learn more about math placement tests, and math tutoring, and download the Math Study Guide to prepare for math placement tests. 

 If you still have questions about math placement testing, send an e-mail to Sarah Khankan at skhankan@gmu.edu.

If you have questions about the Online Algebra Tutorial Program, e-mail to Brent Gorbutt at bgorbutt@gmu.edu.

Need Math Tutoring? Visit the Math Tutoring Center.

News from Learning Services

While Learning Services does not provide content tutoring, help is available on campus in the following subject areas.

News from Mason Student Services Center (Registrar, Financial Aid & Student Accounts)

Registrar News

Spring, Summer & Fall Registrar Calendars (note dates for registration time tickets, course schedules, and other important deadlines).

Selective Withdrawal Period - February 21 to March 25

Selective withdrawals are different and separate from withdrawing during the self-withdrawal period and requesting a non-academic withdrawal from an academic dean's office.

If you have questions about Unrestricted Withdrawals or Selective Withdrawals, email econbsba@gmu.com.

We strongly recommend students not drop courses with the Unrestricted Withdrawal or the Selective Withdrawal process before consulting with an Economics Advisor. If you are required to be full-time enrolled due to housing, international student status, financial aid status, or third-party sponsorship, an Unrestricted or Selective Withdrawal might negatively impact your student status, registration requirements, or visa (if you are an international student). You are strongly recommended to consult with an advisor before doing an Unrestricted or Selective Withdrawal.

Graduation Spring & Summer 2024

Graduation is not an automatic process. Students should apply to graduate no later than the application deadline. You must be in good financial standing with the University to receive your diploma.


Financial Aid News

Mason Scholarships are available to all continuing undergraduates, admitted transfers, and graduate students. Students can apply for scholarship opportunities offered through the Mason Scholarship Application until May 31. (List of scholarship opportunities.)

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 aid year

While the new application will be streamlined and easier to complete, it will also bring significant changes to the calculation of federal Pell Grant awards and include changes to some financial aid terminology.

For students who are ineligible for the FAFSA, the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is now available. The VASA is an opportunity for Virginia residents who are ineligible for the FAFSA to access state and institutional aid.

As more news about the updated FAFSA becomes available, The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) will update this page so that Mason students, families, and our campus community remain ready for the new process.

Internship & Job Opportunities

Economics Internship & Job Search Information Session
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 3 pm - 4:30 pm, Online via Zoom

Need help finding an economics internship or job? Students will learn about navigating economics-related internship/job searches through different platforms, how to find economics-related internships or jobs, how internships might be used for upper-level elective ECON credit (ECON 398 or ECON 493), and how to create an economics-focused resume and cover letter.

Be prepared to take notes during the workshop.

RSVP no later than Monday, March 11th to receive the Zoom link. After registration, you will receive a separate email with the Zoom link and password.


Internship Resources & Opportunities:

Student Programs at the Cato Institute

Are you trying to begin a career in economics policy, communications, fundraising, or law? Do you want a rich education in contemporary policy issues—and the philosophical, historic, and economic underpinnings of those issues? A Cato internship might be right for you. Learn more about Cato's various research departments to find the right internship for your area of interest in economics.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID offers paid internships and fellowship opportunities to qualified, talented students and recent graduates. USAID Internship FAQs.

Mason Global Education Office

Mason GEO/Study Abroad has updated its website regarding winter, spring, and summer 2024 programs. Before considering a study abroad program Economics students must schedule an advising session with their Economics advisor

Visit the Mason GEO events and information sessions.

Study Abroad Kiosk
Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 12 pm - 2 pm, JC Kiosk G
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 12 pm - 2 pm, JC Kiosk G

GEO Study Abroad 101
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 3 pm - 3:45 pm, Johnson Center, Room 235

Info Session - Oxford Semester Experience
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 4 pm - 5 pm, Johnson Center, Room 235
Note: Economics students interested in the Oxford Semester Experience must schedule an advising session with Ms. Getsey Bernier before applying for the Oxford Semester Experience to determine if the Oxford Semester Experience integrates with their degree requirements.

Students at Mason Korea engage in the same curriculum and courses as Mason’s US campuses while immersing themselves in one of the world’s most intriguing and vibrant places. Explore how the country's ancient and complex past meets a modern, globalized culture. 

Please visit the following links for more information:

·         Mason Korea

·         Global Education Office – Mason Korea

College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS) and Mason Campus Events & Activities

From CHSS:

14th annual College of Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium 

Thursday, April 18th, 2024 on the bottom floor of Horizon Hall.

Each spring, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences hosts an Undergraduate Research Symposium to showcase the scholarly work of our undergraduate students. Research presentations are reviewed by faculty judges and outstanding work will be selected for formal recognition at an awards presentation following the event.

All undergraduates with a major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are eligible to participate; however, students should be working on supervised projects (course research or independent research, during the Fall 2023 and/or Spring 2024 terms). Research projects should be supervised by a Mason faculty member. 

Submit your abstract for a poster, video, or oral presentation by April 4, 2024.


Around Mason:

GMU Economics Society Meeting, Friday, March 1, 2024, Horizon Hall 3001:  The Mason Economics Society welcomes new members and has posted upcoming events, featuring guest speakers, and more.

Looking for some outdoor adventures and want to meet other Mason students? Check out the Events pages at Mason Recreation.

Mason Learning Services has updated its web page in many other academic departments.

Browse Academic Success Workshops to improve your note-taking and time-management skills, learn exam-taking strategies, and more.

Interested in learning a foreign language outside the classroom, or want to practice your foreign language skills? Mason Students have free access to the Mason Rosetta Learning Stone

CHSS Photoshoot:  Sign up to participate in a photoshoot for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to be used for advertisement purposes!

Linkup Mentoring

Clock Icon for Tuesday, February 27, 2024 12:00 PM to  1:30 PM ESTTuesday, February 27, 2024 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EST

Each semester, our college organizes Linkup mentoring events for current undergraduate and graduate students to speak with alumni about their career choices and paths. These sessions provide unique opportunities for students to learn from our experienced alumni and community partners. Our first session for the spring term is on February 27, 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Virtual. Students can use the QR code in the image below to register.

Details »

ICES Seminar in Experimental Economics and Game Theory

How Does Passive Investing Effect the Informational Efficiency of Prices?

Clock Icon for Friday, March  1, 2024 12:00 PM to  1:00 PM ESTFriday, March 1, 2024 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Vernon Smith Hall (formerly Metropolitan Building), 5183Vernon Smith Hall (formerly Metropolitan Building), 5183

Contact Us

Department of Economics                                                     Buchanan Hall (formerly Mason Hall), Room D150
4400 University Drive, 3G4
Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-993-1151 | Fax: 703-993-1133

econbsba@gmu.edu

**DISCLAIMER**:  All content of this communication is an advising evaluation, not a guarantee of degree fulfillment. Course and degree requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements of their Mason degree using the Mason catalog for their catalog and degree year and the Degree Works program.