Ithaca College (IC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Ithaca College is a school rich in tradition and surrounded by the community that built it. The college shares a close bond with the town with which it shares a name and has, at times during its history, depended upon that town for its very survival. Founded in 1892 as a school of music, Ithaca has gone from a tiny school renting four rooms on Seneca Street to a widely respected, world-renowned college that produces some of the finest minds in the professional and musical world. The school still holds dear those roots that were established early, and strives to make its community a better place to live.

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Information Summary

Ranks 38th in New York and 390th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	88.5
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$62,757
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	12 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	85% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,517

Academics

A vast array of different programs are offered for people in search of educational enrichment. From people wanting to increase life skills or learn a new hobby clear up to those seeking a graduate degree, the school has a class or a program designed to fit the need.

Professional Programs

Professionals seeking to advance their careers and stay current in their fields may choose from four professional certificates. The certificate programs available online are the Performance Improvement Management Program, the Strategic Improvement Management program and the Sustainability Leadership Program. The Gerontology Certificate is available as an on-campus program. All of these certificates have very strict enrollment and registration requirements so prospective students should refer to the website to ensure that all qualifications are met.

Undergraduate Degrees

The school originally started out as a musical college. They have since expanded to include nearly one hundred bachelor’s degree programs. Students seeking a baccalaureate may choose from such programs as physics, journalism, biochemistry and art education. The college also hosts excellent pre-med and pre-law programs.

Graduate Degrees

Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree may choose from nearly twenty specific degrees in several different areas of study. Business administration, adolescent education, music education and sport management are just a few of the programs that students may choose from when considering a graduate degree.

Lifelong Education

Lifelong education efforts are promoted in its community. Students choosing to brush up on skills or learn new ones in a non-degree seeking manner may do so by registering in non-credit or non-degree classes. Non-credit classes are classes for which the student does not receive college credit and will most likely not be transferrable as college credit. Non-degree seeking classes taken may very well transfer as credits into a degree program either at Ithaca College or at another institution of higher learning.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Several unique programs are offered that provide students with a better educational and social experience. Some of these include the opportunity for the student to cross-register with Cornell University and Wells College, internships and job placement services and an ROTC program with Cornell.

From the very first day the the school opened, it has offered concerts and performances to the public. With the finest facility for miles around and extremely affordable ticket prices, the surrounding area is provided with opportunities to hear some of the finest musical talent available in facilities that truly enhance the concert experience.

This is an institution that cares about its students, its community and its place in the world. As such, it has developed a sustainability plan to decrease the size of its carbon footprint and leave the world a better place. This initiative was incorporated in April of 2001 when the Environmental Improvement Plan was approved. This plan was developed as a guide by a group of students, faculty and staff in order to integrate environmental education and improve waste management and resource reduction systems. Since its inception, the program has become one that the college has not only embraced but has begun to live by. Old buildings were renovated to decrease energy consumption. New buildings on the campus are energy efficient and designed for LEED platinum certification, which is a testament to their desire to create the highest levels of architectural sustainability. This is just one more example of Ithaca’s dedication to its students, its community, and the world that it exists in.

Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

The school accepts only online applications available via their website. The college offers an early decision program to students who have chosen Ithaca as a first choice for college for an undergraduate degree. Students wishing to take advantage of this program must submit an application by November 1, with all supporting documentation including transcripts indicating first semester grades by November 15. Students that opt to apply via this program will also be asked to sign an agreement to withdraw all applications to other schools. Music and theater applicants must audition on the first available audition date. Finally, students wanting to apply under the early decision program need to file a FAFSA and the College Scholarship Service Profile at least two weeks prior to the November 1 deadline. Students will receive an acceptance decision by December 15.

Undergraduate students wishing to apply using the standard application process may do so only by completing the Common Application available on the website. Prospective students will also need to submit all the required forms as indicated on the Common Applications website as well as requesting that ACT or SAT scores be sent to the school. Students will need to complete the FAFSA and the College Scholarship Service Profile by February 1. The college uses a modified rolling admissions procedure and starts notifying students in January. Depending on when the student applies, a decision notification will be sent by April 15.

Graduate Admissions

The school has a very streamlined Graduate admissions process. Application is made online, then there is a checklist that contains everything that the school has received from the applicant, as well as documents that are still missing. Admissions to the graduate programs is pretty basic; a student must have earned a bachelor’s degree and maintained good grades while earning it. In addition to the application, a fee must be submitted. Official school transcripts from the college that awarded the undergraduate degree as well as two letters of recommendation from people capable of evaluating academic ability are also required. Students should be aware that there are program-specific requirements, so it is imperative to determine exactly what is required for the desired program and submit everything by the deadline in order to be considered for acceptance.

Professional Certificate Program Admissions

Admission to the professional certificates programs have specialized and specific requirements. Most require that either an advanced degree or an undergraduate or associate’s degree and a minimum number of years experience in the field. Students seeking enrollment in one of these programs should refer to their website for detailed admissions and application requirements.

Continuing Education and Adult Enrollment Classes

Admission requirements to the continuing education or non-degree courses are not nearly as stringent as the admissions process for degree programs. Refer to the college’s website for further information about registering for these classes.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is offered to students at all educational levels via scholarships and federally subsidized grants and loans. Work-study programs are also available to help students meet the cost of tuition. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students need to complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) and Ithaca’s College Scholarship Service Profile. It is recommended that both of these forms be filled out as early in the application process as possible in order to ensure that the student is eligible and will be considered for all forms of aid possible. Both forms are available online and will require financial information for both the student and family, so the applicant should have this information available prior to starting the applications. The FAFSA is generally available by January of the year preceding enrollment and will need to be completed every year The CSSP should be completed no later than February of the year preceding enrollment and only needs to be completed the first year.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4543rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in New York.

Athletics

As a Bomber, students have a large selection of sports from which to choose. There are both men’s and women’s teams in basketball, lacrosse,golf, tennis, soccer, swimming and diving, crew and track and field. Men may also choose to participate in baseball, football and wrestling. Women have the additional options of softball, field hockey, gymnastics and volleyball. The Bombers are NCAA Division III competitors and have numerous championships under their belts.

The Bombers have numerous fields on which to compete including Butterfield Stadium, Carp Wood Field, Haskell Davidson Boathouse and Ben Light Gymnasium. They also boast about their fitness center that has over one hundred work-out stations, a wood floor gymnasium, a Mondo gymnasium and an aerobics room.

Frequently, athletes have access to Cornell University’s facilities to host events and games.

Local Community

Ithaca, NY is an area that has not yet been spoiled by skyscrapers and smog. It is a beautiful place that is home to farms and vineyards and the countryside is green and lush. It’s a great place to go camping or hiking, and the nearby lakes invite swimmers and picnickers to take a dip and enjoy the scenery. Ithaca also offers art galleries, museums and shops and has more restaurants per capita than New York City. Taughannock Falls State Park offers the opportunity to swim, bike, hike, take pictures or just look at the largest waterfall in the Northeast. Nearby Cuyoga Lake offers kayaks for rent and scenic cruises around the lake. There is also the chance to sample locally grown fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market, which is open every weekend from April through December. For a great afternoon activity away from studies, the local wineries give frequent tours. There are also numerous nightclubs for those who just want to go out for a cocktail and some dancing. Though it has a small town feel, Ithaca offers all the conveniences of a big city without the pitfalls.

Ithaca College