Student Profile
Heather
- Class: Senior
- Major: Other Interdisciplinary
- Gender: F
- High School: Abington High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Ithaca College is... cold, snowy, and still awesome. The weather is extremely unpredicable. And the best kept secret is that Ithaca summers are beautiful... because most of the population actually leaves during this time. Ithaca is a melting pot of three worlds-- Cornell, IC, and the townies. The best thing about Ithaca College is that it is the opposite of home... so my learning extended far beyond the classroom. It is a crazy mix of people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, classes, etc. But sometimes there is definitely the aura of being at a private school full of rich kids. Although this really isn't the case and perhaps the result of stereotypes. Ithaca is extremely liberal, which is a great atmosphere for education. Also, some campuses are so big that they are their own city, while some are so small it's like high school. IC is the perfect size. IC has a great sense of pride for certain events, like Cortaca, unlike Cornell that seems to be bursting with athletic enthusiasm. However, it might be the difference between a division three and a division one school. IC's lack of unity could be due to the fact that our schools within the college are fairly segregated. I personally don't feel that as much because my major is integrated. But I can say I've never, ever been in the music or theatre schools. Many programs have the same reputation of "keeping to themselves." I think if there is one thing I will always remember it is my entire freshman year... when you're life gets turned upside down and you become whatever it spits out. It's not a bad thing... like what I said about IC being the opposite of home... it gives you a chance to see things you couldn't before, it's awesome, and it's essential. IC was also never threatening, if anything... it was in the end... enlightening.
Academic Life
The size of Ithaca makes academics great and limiting at the same time. Smaller classrooms, more personal relationships with professors, and more manageability are advantages. But there are lost opportunities in the restricted size of the student body because there are less conferences, speakers, and there is less involvement. I also really love my major and that it is small because only a certain number of students relative to the whole migrate into it. It is a program that finds you through weeding out, rarely one that incoming students apply to. The downfall is that because it is so small, it does not receive very much attention from the college and that is limiting as well.
Student Body
Ecclectic. Some would say IC is full of hippies. Others would strongly disagree and say they're rich, white kids. Maybe it's both but it's also much more. I would also say that I've never been somewhere with so much many forms of sexuality that are substantially prevalent... but that could just be college, period. One thing I don't understand is that for such a seemingly diverse campus that promotes free will and acceptance... there have been a surprising number of hate crimes since I've been here. Due to IC's prestigious music and theatre departments, PT/OT program, park school, and new emphasis on business... it is a very diverse population of interests and capabilities. Some of the biggest programs on campus are polar opposites.
The Best Things
it's beautiful & funnn
The Worst Things
permanent wet slush on all sidewalks in winter
