Ithaca College

I had an amazing four years at Ithaca and just graduated in May 2004. Obviously it wasn't all perfect... nothing is; but all in all I wouldn't have chosen any other school to go to if I had to do it again. The campus is beautiful, albeit the buildings are a bit ugly, the campus itself is great with lost of greenery and overlooking lake Cayuga, and the city of Ithaca. I was a Politics major and really like my Profs and the classes. The profs really made an effort to get to know you as an individual and the classes were small. The larges class I ever had was 40 students which is pretty impressive for a college of 6,500 students. The politics dept is amazing. I never had a prof I didn't like or one that wasn't apssionate about what they were teaching; and they are all eager to make you just as passionate about the material as they are. Ithaca does have a rep for not being too diverse; however I didn't find this to be true. Granted it is predominantly white, but the college does put a lot of emphasis on diversity and there is a very large diversity of personality at this school. There are many different types of people with lots of different interests. Most of the kids are from the NorthEast but the reputation that it is a rich kid’s school isn't all that valid. Ithaca is also a great balance between academics and a good social life. Compared to most schools the alcohol policy is not that strict, although it had been getting stricter year by year when I was there. Unless you do something really wrong, you’re not going to get in much trouble for alcohol or weed. Freshman and sophomore year surround going to house parties and partying in the dorms, going to Cornell frats, or to the bars if you have a really good fake. Junior year I would strongly suggest study abroad as it will be one of the best times of your life and Ithaca has great programs all over the world; and senior year is mostly going to the bars in downtown Ithaca or on occasion, house parties. There are always lots of parties going on at Cornell as well and Ithaca also sponsors an After Dark program that is an event each weekend for people that don't want the weekend to revolve around drinking. All in all there is always a lot to do. There are alos always lots of bands, local and famous, playing in the bars and concert halls in Ithaca during the week and on weekends. Def live on campus freshman and sophomore year but move off campus junior and senior year and live close to downtown. When I first decided to come to Ithaca I was a bit nervous about it's location. I grew up a few miles outside NYC and I was worried about going to school in the boonies. I was pleasantly surprised by the town of Ithaca though. Voted the "Best Small City" in the US as well and the "most intellectually enlightened" it has a very diverse group of people. It does tend to have a lot of hippies in the town but there is also good shopping and amazing restaurants from all over the world, indie movie theatres, great books stores, beautiful parks and waterfalls and on and on... College town, which is an area of Ithaca by Cornell in also a lot of fun. Once you are 21 the town is great too because there a plenty of bars. Ithaca is great if you are into the outdoorsy thing… lots of hiking and great parks, a great lake for water sports and skiing close by. Getting involved around campus is really easy and if there isn’t a club you are interested in you can easily just start one and get $200 to do so, as my friend and I did. There is so much to take advantage of at IC and in the town of Ithaca but if you're not paying attention or taking the most of it is easy just to let yourself be bored all the time. I would suggest staying in Ithaca for a summer, but only if you are 21, you will have a great time and Ithaca it incredible in the summer. I would highly recommend Ithaca; I met some of the most amazing people there, had tons of fun and learned so much in general and about myself. Important tips: a car is key and cheap to have on campus and unlike most schools you can have one as a freshman. Terraces dining hall is the best and IC has the best gym you will see at any college.

4th Year Female -- Class 2004

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: A-