the ACCESS program:

A Narrative Description
George Mason University's new ACCESS Program offers students who are
academically qualified, but need a moderate amount of additional English
language study, to begin their undergraduate experience in a  supportive
environment, while earning up to 27 college credits.   Access offers an innovative
array of specially-designed academic coursework in writing, oral communication,
research methods, and American cultures, along with exposure to more traditional
college courses supported by English-language specialists outside the classroom. 
Co-curricular activities will introduce Access students to the rich variety of
student-life experiences at Mason and the dazzling resources of the Northern
Virginia/Washington, D.C. metro area.  At the conclusion of the Access year,
students who demonstrate academic success and English language proficiency
will be eligible to continue their studies as fully-admitted students with
sophomore status at George Mason University.
– Rick Davis, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
 ACCESS Program Description

ACCESS is designed for academically qualified undergraduate

students who need additional English language proficiency assistance.
ACCESS also allows students to earn credits applicable to a Mason
degree.

English Language Criteria for Admission to ACCESS

Program:

• TOEFL score of 72 or higher

• IELTs score of 5.5 or higher
• ELI Recommendation (ACCESS assessment test + individual
teacher assessment)
 An ACCESS program student:

• Is granted provisional admission to Mason undergraduate

program

• Earns 24-27 credits toward his/her degree in the ACCESS year

• Receives added English language support during first year of

study

• Will be taught by Mason’s academic and ELI faculty

ACCESS Pilot Year
 ACCESS FALL 2010
12 credits

Team taught In-class and after-class language support

Additional tutoring will be available during day and evening hours

 ACCESS Spring 2011
12-15 credits

Team taught

MATH XXX: Per placement exam

Additional tutoring will be available during day and evening hours
ACCESS Language Assessment:
Summer Session
Test date: July 10, 2010
Test time: 9:00 – 12:00
Test location: LDC (basement of West Building)

Test set up:

•3 hours
•5 sections
•Option for writing first or last

Test sections:
•Listening
•Writing
•Reading
•Sentence Meaning
•Language Use
 ELI Recommendation
Part II: Student Evaluation Form
Faculty will make recommendation decisions based
on evaluation of specific criteria, including:

•Student’s level of achievement at current level;

•Student’s level of academic preparedness in general;

•Student’s potential to “make good progress” toward all

specific skill levels within one or two semesters
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to qualify for the ACCESS program?
•A good high school transcript (GPA as well as course load)
•A good SAT score
•An IELTS score of 5.5 or higher; a TOEFL score of 72 or higher; a good score on
each section of the ELI assessment test
•Positive recommendations from your ELI faculty (e.g. completed homework,
time management, group/class interaction, language proficiency, academic
readiness, etc.)

If I get accepted to the ACCESS program, will I still be an ELI student?

No. Students who are accepted into the ACCESS program are no longer ELI students.
The ACCESS program is an academic program and the students take academic, credit-
bearing courses in the university system. The ELI is supporting the program by
providing ACCESS students with additional in-class and out-of-class language support.
ACCESS students’ I-20s are transferred from the ELI to George Mason University’s
Admissions Office.
What will the ACCESS experience be like?
The ACCESS program will be intense because students will be taking regular academic
classes with academic faculty and working to improve English language
proficiency/awareness. For the pilot year, each class will be a special section
specifically for the ACCESS students. The 20-25 students in the ACCESS group will go
to the same classes in the fall and to most of the same classes in the spring semester.
In addition, a peer tutor will be available six hours a week to help ACCESS students
with writing goals and class assignments.

How are the requirements for the ACCESS program different from the requirements
to enter the Mason directly?
Students who apply directly to Mason need to score an 88 or higher on the TOEFL or a
6.5 or higher on the IELTS. Students who apply to the ACCESS program need to score
a 72 or higher on the TOEFL or a 5.5 or higher on the IELTS. ELI students who have not
taken the TOEFL or IELTS can fulfill the proficiency requirement for application by
taking the ELI ACCESS assessment test and getting recommendations from their ELI
instructors. All students applying to Mason need to take the SAT (starting for ELI
ACCESS applicants 2011-2012). The average SAT score for a Mason freshman is 1250.
What happens after the ACCESS year?
After successfully completing (grade of C or higher in courses) the ACCESS year,
students are considered sophomores at Mason and are fully admitted into the
university (i.e. no longer provisional). They meet with their individual advisors and
register for their own courses. The ACCESS program will follow up with students
several times throughout their studies at Mason regarding their academic and
language developments. Students who do not successfully complete the ACCESS
program will likely be redirected to other schools or programs.

I am a transfer student. Can I apply to the ACCESS program?

No, probably not. The ACCESS program is for “true” freshmen who are not trying to
transfer undergraduate credits from another university into Mason.

I am planning to go to Mason for graduate school. Can I apply to the ACCESS

program?
No. The ACCESS program is for “true” freshmen who are not trying to transfer
undergraduate credits from another university into Mason. There is another
program at Mason—the Graduate BRIDGE program—that is also being piloted 2010-
2011. This program, however, is for students who graduated with a three-year high
school degree (normally from a school that follows the British secondary school
system).
How much does the ACCESS program cost?
Students enrolled in the ACCESS program pay the regular out-of-state tuition ($27,000)
plus a premium for added English language support ($2,000) for a total of $29,000 for
ACCESS year tuition.

What kind of English language support will I receive as an ACCESS student?

Throughout the year, ACCESS students will be provided both in-class and out-of-class
language support. (1)The composition course will be team-taught by one English
department faculty member and one ELI faculty member. (2)The two elective courses
in the fall will be taught by a professor from the appropriate department and an ELI
faculty member will be in the classroom for each meeting. Students will meet with the
ELI language support faculty member for 45 minutes following each elective class
meeting in order to discuss language-related questions/structures from the class
meeting. (3) ACCESS students can participate in drop-in tutoring. Tutoring will be
available for a three-hour time slot one weekday afternoon and for a three-hour time
slot one weekday evening (e.g. Mondays from 4:00-7:00 pm and Thursdays from 6:00-
9:00 pm). The peer tutor will meet with students on a first-come, first-serve basis and
will work with students on language development and responding to content
assignments.
Whom can I contact for more information?
ELI students who are interested in applying to the ACCESS
program can contact Karyn Mallett at kmallet1@gmu.edu and
consult the ELI website eli.gmu.edu for more information.