OPINION: Degree value rises with Mason stock

George Mason University can increasingly be found ranked highly among national universities in various academic programs, as well as in overall value (photo courtesy of Cliff/Flickr).

Another year, another increase in rank of George Mason University on the US News and World Report rankings of Best Colleges in the United States. According to the report released on Sep. 10, 2013, Mason is ranked in their top 150 universities in the country.

This is not just a victory for President Cabrera, the faculty or the staff—this is a victory for the students. For me, this brings great pride, joy and justification. Justification originating from selecting to pursue my higher education a university that is respected, renowned and recognized by the US News and World Report. Every student at Mason should be proud of this latest news. Mason has quickly become a well-respected university considering its young age in comparison with other Virginia universities.

The ranking signifies another hurdle cleared by Mason—to become recognized at such a relatively young age. You are standing on a campus that is nationally respected and attending classes taught by professors who have a passion for teaching in their fields. You are members of academic and social programs that are among the best in the United States. And a greater respect for Mason translates to greater respect for you, when you’re applying for internships, traveling the country or meeting new people. When you tell them you are a student of Mason, a new respect will be gained simply for being enrolled. 

I was excited to hear of Mason’s rising rankings not just because Mason’s respect is continuing to grow, but for more selfish reasons—I do not look like an idiot for enrolling at the university.

In my senior year of high school, the university you picked either led to huge congratulations or a monotone “that’s so great,” regardless of the university’s lack of reputation. I wanted to enroll at a school that would signify that hard work does pay off. I enrolled at Mason because it provides the best venue for an education and for the smaller benefit gaining respect for attending a great university.

The latter element was not my main motivation for attending Mason, but was only a small element in my choice. At most the element was a supplemental perk. And yet, my main reason and supplemental perk for enrolling at Mason were both justified by the latest US News and World Report, because it profiles Mason as a university with great opportunities.

The new report has created a buzz at Mason that will hopefully last eternally and continue to aid in the creation of students that positively change the world.