Q. How do I use the templates? A. The templates are preformatted (Adobe Portable Document Format and Microsoft Word) documents, which contain elements required in the Preliminary Pages and Curriculum Vitae.  You may access them by visiting the Downloads/Templates page at the following address:  http://thesis.gmu.edu/dtformsnew.htm Next, you click on the desired template(s) and save them to your computer’s hard or floppy drive. You may open each MS Word file in Word, insert the information pertinent to your dissertation, thesis, or project in place of the sample information, save, and incorporate them into your paper.  Adobe Portable Document Files, or pdf’s may be saved the same way, but you must have Adobe Acrobat to edit them. Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download) may be used to read them and print them.  Margins Q. How do I set the margins? A. Open the "File" menu select "Page Setup" and then enter appropriate values. Headings Q. How do I make sure all my headings begin at two inches? A. Place your cursor over the heading and then use the cursor position indicator located at the bottom of the screen. The word "At" will be followed by a measurement in inches indicating where on the page your cursor is located.  Format Review Q. What is a Format Review?  A. Format Review is the process by which all dissertations, theses, and projects are examined for compliance with University regulations for appearance.  During the format review, the Coordinator examines the component parts of the dissertation (the preliminary pages, figures and tables, if any, and the text).  (Please contact the Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator and/or see links directly under this section for more information). Please include a completed Student Information Sheet with your copy to be reviewed. Q. Why do I have to do a Format Review?  A. Format Review is required to insure that your submission meets GMU’s standards for uniformity and quality.   Q. When should I visit the Coordinator’s office to have my dissertation, thesis, or project Format Review?  A.  Dissertations, theses, and projects must be reviewed by the Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator 1 to 2 months before final submission. It is highly recommended that you submit your work for format review (even if it is not your final version) as early as possible so as to avoid end-of-semester delays.    Submission Q.When is the deadline for submission? A. No later than· 5 P.M. on the Friday before the last day of Spring Semester classes as published in the Schedule of Classes for May graduation and participation in Commencement Ceremony or 5 P.M. on the Friday before the last day of Summer Term or Fall Semester classes for August or January graduation, respectively.   Q. Do I have to have my dissertation thesis or project bound before I turn it in to the libraries? A. No. You need not have it bound.  The University Libraries will bind its copy.   Q. What should I do if I want to have my own copy bound for myself?  Will the Library bind it for me? A. You may take your dissertation, thesis, or project to any of several bookbinders in the area.  A list is available through the Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator’s Office.  Also, there area number of binderies on the internet, such as Thesis on Demand , who bind theses, dissertations, or projects at competitive prices. The University Libraries use a state-approved contractor for binding books.  Only books for use in University Libraries may be bound under this contract.    Q. What type of paper should my dissertation/thesis/project be on?  Where can I obtain this type of paper? A.  Dissertations, theses, and projects are to be printed on 20 to 24 lb. 100% cotton or rag paper.  This paper is available at most office supply and stationery stores.  It is also available at some department stores, such as Wal Mart or Target.   Q. Why do I have to use this type of paper?  A. Paper of this type is most preservationally sound.  Other papers contain acids which may cause your dissertation, thesis, or project to discolor and deteriorate after time.    Q.Where can I obtain the UMI and NORC forms? A. You may obtain these forms in the Downloads/Templates section of this website or through the University Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator. These forms will be discussed during the Format Review.   Q. When should I expect to see my completed dissertation, thesis, or project on the shelf in the library? A. Depending upon 1) workload in the University Libraries' Collections Management Division and the University Libraries’ contract bindery, and 2) whether or not your submission is complete, your  work should be available for research in 1 to 2 months.    Q. When should I expect to see my dissertation in the Dissertation Abstracts database. A. Usually dissertations appear in Dissertations Abstracts in about 3-5 months.