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 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)

ACCESS Program Description

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

Additional tutoring will be available during day and evening hours

Team taught

In-class and after-class language support

ACCESS Spring 2011 12-15 credits

MATH XXX: Per placement examAdditional tutoring will be available during day and evening hours

Team taught

ACCESS Language Assessment: Summer SessionTest date: July 10, 2010Test 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.