Ithaca College Top Questions

Chose a school on what is most important to your student. Be confident in the decision you make and have the mindset that you will enjoy the experience no matter what. After the first 15 seconds, your attitude towards something is your choice. You always have control over decisions and perspectives; ultimately everything funnels down to you. Remember that every experience is unique and be open to every opportunity and person you come across. Live for the moment and be flexible to change. Only you can decide what is right and what the best college experience is, nothing is set in stone and there is no right or wrong, just what works for you. Know yourself and you will be able to find what is right for you.

Before anything, stay calm. Yes finding the right college is a huge decision, and no matter where you go, your first year on-campus will be stressful and daunting. But it's not the end of the world, nor the end-all be-all of all important lifetime choices. It is simply the first big choice you will make of many, so take your time. Take the time to evaluate where your passions have been for the past 18 years, and apply that to what you want to do with your future and your studies. Know why you're going to college, set goals about what you want to do. Decisions you make now about exact career titles and aspirations will change, but likely your passion won't. If it does, that's okay. Trust your instincts. College is about learning academically as well as personally, and having set goals will help guide all four years even when life seems a mess. Parents, there will be fights about everything, but keep communication open and support strong. Growing up is exciting, but the comforts of home are never more welcome than when new experiences seem overwhelming and an encouraging word awaits.

Its true when they say that where you go to college is one of the most important, and first major decisions in your life. Surely, it will effect your career, your future, who you will be ten years from now. But college is about so much more than working towards that money-making job. Its a four-year (or five...or six...) experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It will change you for better and for worse. There are three major factors to consider when choosing the college thats right for you. Number one: obviously, do they have the programs you want, note the YOU want. Not what your parents, or teachers want, but what YOU will enjoy studying. Two: the community, both in and around campus. Is it one you can see yourself becoming a part of, and valuing? And three: stop for a second and look around. Can you see yourself spending four or more years of your life in this setting, day after day? Could it be home to you? Will you want to come visit when you're rich and famous? Just think about it a sec. Then choose.

How many times have you heard that you will experience some of the best times of your life in college? Well, I have to say that is true. I have completed three semesters thus far and I absolutely agree that some of the best times of my life so far have been in college. I have met people from all over the world; people that have similar interests to me and people that could not be more different than me. My college experiences have enabled me to do more than I ever thought I could do. I have learned to take every opportunity that comes because you never know how much you will learn from it or how much it could change your life. Don't ever settle for doing an alright job at something, challenge yourself to see where your limits are and once you have found them, keep going and push past them. You will be amazed at how much world there is out there. It's all waiting for you to embrace it. Go for it. Who knows? You might surprise yourself with what you are capable of.

Choose a college with a major that makes you happy as well as an atmosphere where you feel comfortable. Try to spend a weekend at the college if possible, will get a good sense of the atmosphere at the college.

College is what you make it. Those who complain the msot about college are usually the ones who don't persue their dreams hard enough. Meet as many new people as you can, join at least one club, and have fun. Work hard, play hard usually works for most people.

Going to college is (or can be) a monumental transition from high school because it is the best environment for you to figure out who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to do with your life; therefore, it is very important to do your research before you begin the application process. Don't just read the pamphlets that are sent to you from the institution, but instead take a proactive stance to finding the right fit for you: communicate with the professors whose classes you would take, visit the school (both on a tour and on your own), and if it's possible, speak with upperclassmen to ask them about their college experience--both the positive and the negative aspects. Find your voice and ask the questions that are on your mind. Also, start saving money (if you haven't already). College is expensive, especially private institutions. There are hidden costs and fees, so it's best to save up and to inquire about them while speaking with students. Higher education is a privilege and an investment in yourself, so be sure to treat it as such. Good luck!

Once you are accepted, attend recruitment events in order to see the caliber of the upper level students who typically give presentations. If these students are polished or otherwise demonstrate qualities you would like to have, then you will have an idea of what that school could do for you. During your freshman year, make yourself try new activities ( such as plays, events or socials) that you would not normally do. This will help you learn about yourself. You might be surprised what you find! Above all, if having a career after college is important to you, take advantage of every opportunity. Good grades are important but it may take more than that to land your dream job. Participate in clubs and activities and look into internship opportunities. Attend all alumni and career events and learn to network. If you are having trouble balancing your social life and school work, try this: Treat school like a full-time job. Spend at least 8 to 10 hours per day studying and attending classes. Don't go back to your dorm or apartment until the end of the day or until you have completed all your work.

Pick a school that has a lot of options and a lot of different people. That way no matter what you decide on or if your plans change the school can still allow you to achieve your goals. And I can almost guarantee your plans will change during your college experience.

The only way to know if a school is "right" for you is to go there. There is no other way to know. I know people who picked a college sophmore year in high school. When they finally were accepted and spent two months there they decided to transfer out. On every campus there are kids that you will get along with, people you will hate. Decide if you want a city or small town. Having majors/minors you are interested in is, of course, always important. If I could do this process all over again I would apply to college as exploratory. I was told everyone changes their major and I brushed it aside, sure it wouldn't be me. After changing three times, I can back that statement up completely. College is what you make of it. Be positive- you will be alright no matter where you go or what you do.

As a student who has now applied to college twice (in the process of transferring), the most important thing to do when deciding if a school is right for you is to experience the school first hand. Sit in on as many classes as you can. Go to a sporting event. If you know someone at the school, contact them and see if you can stay with them over a weekend, to experience the social life the college has to offer. If you don't know anyone, most colleges will find someone for you to stay with for a night or two. Try and find someone in the major you are interested in, and go through a day of classes with them. The best time to do this is on a Friday, so the student can experience both the academic and social aspects of the school. A visit involving only a tour and informational visits to a bunch of offices is never good way to judge if a school is right for you. There is so much more to the college experience.

Vist visit visit! You'll never know untill you actualy step foot on the campus!

I think in choosing a college, students should get an idea of the kinds of people they want to be around. When I originally looked for colleges, I judged them by the architecture, which is not a good indicator of the personalities of the students. Ithaca College was not my first choice originally because I didn't like how the buildings look, despite the beautiful natural surroundings. However, the factor that made me decide to attend IC was the vibe I got from the students when I visited. Of course academics are important, so students should take into consideration the fields in which they are interested and how much of a scholastic challenge they desire, but social relationships are also very important. I am glad I chose Ithaca because I have made many new friends with diverse backgrounds and interests. I think college is as much about building lasting relationships and friendships as it is about academics. I would be the first to say that schoolwork is a top priority, but I also believe that the college experience would not be complete if the student did not pursue extracurricular interests and make as many social connections as possible.

Choose a college based on where you think you will grow the most. During your search, it is important to ask about academics, but make sure you get the scoop about what kids do on the weekends. Also, college is the time to test drive all of your interests, and your school should help you with that. Once you get to the school of your choice, make sure that you try everything at least once. Take a class outside of your major, or join a club that you might never have considered. The things that you least expect might turn out to change your life.

Realize that College isn't just for academics, it is for adjusting for the real world. College is about forming experiences that will help you when you are on your own.

I would tell students to pick the college that has the programs they are looking for and to go with their instincts when choosing between places. Do not pick a school because someone wants you to go their, and do not go somewhere because your best friend is going there too. College is about finding your path in life and following your dreams. Find a location that you like and make as many friends as possible. Do not limit yourself to people in your dorms, join clubs, teams, and organizations and you'll make memories of a lifetime. As a senior about to graduate in May, wishing I had gone abroad when I had the opportunity, STUDY ABROAD! Everyone that I have talked to that has, it has been life-changing and an amazing experience. Be as diverse as possible and try everything once (to an extent). My last piece of advise would be to get out of your home town, when I go back I notice that the people that stay do not mature like the people that leave, you gain more experience in dealing with new people.

In order to find a school that best fits you , it is absolutly nessecary for you to visit the school. You should also look at how much you're willing to spend and what your goal is at the end of your education. are you going to immediatly go into the working world and pay your college debt(if you have any)? In the long run, you need to look what is most important to your life in college and where your going after. Don't ever think that a long shot school is impossible to get into, sometimes you have one quality you don't realize is impressive and will get you in. In the same respect, not every sure fire school will accept you, make sure you apply to schools you are interested in and visit them before anything. Think about school size and class, location, are you interested in the city/town around the school. If you want to be happy in your college you need to like more then the campus and feel a connection with the world around school.

do your research

While you are in high school it is hard to make a decision on whether or not you want to go away to college. I attended multiple college visits in order to find the one that suited me. It was easy within an hour of being on campus I realized that this is where I want to be. You need to look at a school and put yourself there in a year and really visualize how you think it will be with the information you have collected just by looking around and interacting with other people. In order to get the best college experience I believe that you need to put yourself out there and truly do what you love, there are tons of people on even the smallest campus that have the same interests that you do, your goal is to find them and once you do not only will you have the best college experience possible, but friends for life.

I highly suggest that you tour as many colleges as possible. You can learn a lot about a place from a brochure or an online survey but nothing matches the knowledge you will gain from a quick, half-hour tour. Not only do you get to go on a fun trip but you will be able too observe the students, classrooms, and campus of your prospective colleges. I myself went on many a college tour. I visited more than five colleges either with my parents, on a class trip, or tagging along with a friend. If I had not toured these schools I would have applied at very different places. If I had not toured these schools I would have attended a very different place. But here I am at Ithaca, my third or fourth choice, and I could not be more happy. The campus is beautiful, the classes are great and if I had not visited as many colleges as I had, if I had not given myself the perspective I needed to make the right choice, I do not believe that I would be as happy as I am today.

The advice that I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience would be to choose a college that you can afford finacially and a place where you think you will enjoy being at the most. The worst thing to happen is having to pay back thousands of dollars in loans when you graduate and not being able to make a living with the degree you graduated with because you're too busy paying for school. I would also consider reading more about the college and getting advice from students who go to the school that you plan to attend and visit the college more than once before you make your final decision.

Trust your instincts. if you get on campus and it feels like home, it probably will feel that way when you come back as an incoming freshman. Also, dont underestimate the value of your floor mates when you are a freshman, they will turn into your family while you are at school. Be open to new ideas and new things. Dont be afraid to take a risk or do something stupid, it will make you and your new friends closer, faster.

I would avoid going to school near home; it only stifles the personal exploration that the college experience is supposed to offer. I'm also a huge proponent of studying abroad, and I believe that volunteerism is a valuable asset that should be actively integrated within your academic career.

To students, I would advise them to choose the school that's best for them, and not the school that is best for their parents. To parents, I would advise them to not be afraid to let their children go, but to also look out for them financially, and help the students make wise decisions.

To all entering students I would say, do not worry about the future, it will come when it comes. Instead, choose to live for now with the future as a place you want to get to that influences you, but never let it worry you. Life is what happens when you are making plans.

Go somewhere different than what your used to. Go to a big city or a small rural town but get the most out of your college experience by seeing everything that school has to offer to YOU.

Visit the schools before deciding on a college. This will help you decide on the right school.

When I was choosing a college I cared about the majors and the environment on the campus. Cost was an issue but being a high school senior I did not really understand how important cost truly was. I was accepted into two schools with full scholarships but I chose the college with a $40,000 a year cost. If I had to do it all over again I would consider cost much more. I probably would go to a school that I had recived scholarships from. Despite the great quality of education I recieved and the life long friends I have made, being a recent graduate with over $100,000 in loans, I don't think that I would have chosen to recieve a private education. I think when it comes to making the most of your college experience you should try everything that the school and the city you are living in has to offer. Don't get dragged into all of the partying. Experience the culture of your campus. Experience the people. Take advantage of study abroad programs. Travel as much as possible. You are only in school for four years make the best of it.

I was upset at first about not getting into my first choice schools. However I ended up at Ithaca by a strange set of circumstances and ended up loving it. You must keep a positive attitude and good things will come to you.

In searching for colleges, I think it is important to really weigh your options. As a senior in my undergraduate year, I have been able to reflect on choices that I made and things that I would have done differently as a prospective college student. It is necessary to understand the financial position of you and your family, and to really research what the campus has to offer, not only for the time being, but in the long term. If sports interest you, take a look at not only degree programs but the athletics that are available as extra-curricular options as well. Take advantage of tours offered by the school, and speak to students about the campus of interest because they will be honest with you and it will really go a long way. As I prepare for law school, I am taking the steps that I may have passed by as a prospective undergraduate student in order to hopefully choose the best Law graduate program that is available to me, and within my financial capabilities. Your education is nothing to be taken lightly and the right research and preparation is critical in finding the perfect match for you!

Make sure when choosing your school that you have visited it for longer than a structured campus tour. It was very important to me that the school I chose felt just like what "college" was in my head. I was stuck on going down south to school, until I visited Ithaca College and felt it was the perfect and ideal college. Also, as much as most do not want to have to take money into consideration when choosing a school, you really should. I was so anxious to come to Ithaca College that y parents and I have been working extra hard to pay for school these past 2 years. But now we are running out of resources and I dread the possibility that I may not be able to return for my senior year, especially because my brother will be a freshman in college next year as well. Even if you choose the perfect school, you will not be as happy there as you would be at your cheaper second choice if you have to leave before receiving your degree with all of your friends. Good luck with your decision and make sure that the school feels just right.

Really search and think about what your priorities are! There are hundreds of colleges and universities all across the country and the world. You can get a good education almost anywhere if you have the right program and enthusiasm. Don't think that a pricer school is better and remember that you are going to be there for four years. Do you really want to live in a sprawling city for that long? Or do you want a close knit campus feel? Don't take the decision lightly or you could end up wasting your money or transfering several times.

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There is a lot of help available to students, with and without disabilities, if you ask for it. Help ranges from academic tutoring, to creating individual plans, to writing and computer help centers.

First establish what kind of school you want to go to and what area the student would prefer (small, medium, or large schools; urban, rural, or suburban area). Then decide how close to home the student wants to stay (consider the time it takes to drive there, do you need to take a plane or train?). From those colleges/universities, pick the ones that have the best school you're interested it (sciences, arts, music, business, theater, etc.) Try and visit as many colleges/universities as you can so that you get the best idea of what the college/university is like. Try and see if you can find out what student-professor relationships are like (are the professors available outside of class time?). The social life of the school is EXTREMELY important because if the student is not happy with their social life (or lack thereof) it affects their academic performance and increases the chance of having to transfer to another college.

Go into college undecided because no one knows or is ready to make the decision of what 'you want to do when you grow up' at 18. Parents- don't pressure your kids on their majors; let them choose what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

The college expirience is really what you are willing to make of it. There are many different schools out there that you, or your student would excell at. If you are willing to put the time in and work very hard you can get a great college education wherever you go. Your Academic future is in your hands to make the most out of all of the expirinces college can offer.

One of the most important parts of finding a college that is good for you is talking to the students who are already there. Also, really consider ALL aspects of college life- the social environment, the weather, the financial aid, housing, parking, distance from home, advising. Do not assume anything about the school. It may require a lot of discussion and research, but it will be worth it in the end. Also, if you, like me, are the first in your family to attend college, take the time to talk to the parents of your friends, guidance counselors and others who have been through the process of selecting colleges already. They can be very insightful. Once you find your school, just take advantage of the opportunities given to you and try new things. Keep in touch with old friends, make new ones and have fun. College, as the in-between stage between childhood and true adulthood offers a lot of unique experiences and can be one of the best times in your life if you know what you want to get out of it and are not afraid to make the most of the resources given to you.

Do what you want to do. Don't let careers or the expectations of others get in your way if you're looking to apply to a school.

I would advise finding a college that does not only fit you on the day you arrive but one that will allow you to grow through the years when you are attending. Choosing a college for a single reason such as a club or sport is not a good idea. If that activity is becomes unavailable to you, you need to still be happy with your choice. You can not convince yourself that you will begin to like the school onces you are there, it will not happy. As the student, you will be the one attending. Do not let someone else make the decision for you. As a parent, try to help your child choose a college but do not do so for them. Support them in the decision they make.

Visit the campuses. Stay overnight with someone. Eat in the dining halls. Attend a class. You will know when you find the right place ~ it will just feel right for you. Apply based on how you feel about the place rather than the price tag. Lots of private , expensive schools have lots of money to give away. Never forgo an application because you think you can't afford the school. Financial aid ROCKS!!!! To maximize your experience, get involved. Meet lots of people. Stay on campus and don't go home alot at first. The more you acclimate yourself to your school, the better the experience you are going to have will be.

let your kids choose

Always go and visit the college's you are applying to. And if you are planing on joining a team, an overnight and meeting with the coach is a really good idea so you can get a feel for team atmosphere.

Start early. Understand what is important to your individual needs (Greek life, large vs. small campus, distance, weather, major and if your individual major is a good program at the school of your choice, cost (can you really afford a private school, or is a state school more appropriate?) Find a roommate before you come to college (facebook... then attend the same orientation to see if you're right for eachother) Joining a club in college looks really good on your transcript, so does finding an internship. Make sure your school has a variety of both. Safety is also important (blue light, security, crime rate, locked dorms?) Visit lots of campus' on different weekends, seeing too many in one day or weekend can be overwhelming and you forget and confuse what you loved about one campus and hated about the others. Also, apply to reach schools, safety schools, and schools in the middle. Have a first choice, but don't let that be the end all be all of your college application process. Finally, look forward to college. Applications are stressful and tedious, but college is the best years of your life. Get excited!

Go with your gut, not what tour guides tell you.

The best advice I can think of is to not put too much stress on the decision about where to go to college. I think high school students and their parents get caught up in a frenzy around application time and they forget that this isn't a decision that determines the fate of the rest of one's life. I think everyone should lighten up and just try to get in to a good school; not necessairly the best school. College is a time of exploration and it seems to me that if you are serious about learning, almost any college will provide that opportunity. Ultimately, where you want your life to go is up to you and not the school.

I would advise people to definitely pay a visit to a school prior to accepting the school's offer to attend. In addition, I would advise that students choose a school that they know would be good for them, as opposed to the school that "everyone is going to". And finally, for parents, let the kids actually decide, and not go where the parent wants to go. Actually, one more thing, I believe that people should attend schools that are more academically beneficial, and not socially.

There is a "right" college for everyone and that college changes from one person to another. I believe that you need to know what you want out of your college experience. It is important to look into the size of the school, academic structure, student activities, sports (spirit), and the many other factors that will play into your experience. College is a time to not only learn an academic area, but to learn about yourself, others, and the entire world around you. When searching for a school, one will just feel right and chances are that if you attend that school you will feel "right" while you are there and make the best of that experience. To make the most of it, meet as many people as you can and be involved. The best way to truly enjoy your time at college is to be around those you study, work, and play with. Being an active member of the community will make you not only feel like you are making a difference, but you will go home happy every day because you are in the process or making friendships and connections to last a life time. Enjoy every second!

visit every school your interested in to get a feel for it when you see a campus it might just click for you.

make sure when you apply you think about everything possible that could hinder or help your education/college experience: distance from home, clubs, teams, spirituality of school, financial aid, diversity, life off campus, size of campus, amount of students/class size...anything you can think of. dont base the final decision on what your parents say either; take their opinion into account beacause they most likely have your best interest in mind. visit as many colleges as you can. and after all that pray to God that He will send you to the place He wants you to be, beacause He has your best interest at heart too.