A: One of the best things about college is meeting new people -- especially your new roommate!

It can take time to adjust to sharing your room with a total stranger, but if you just don’t get along, you do have options. Consulting your resident assistant or resident director is the first step -- he or she can help you talk through your...

A: HomerConnect is one-stop shopping for all your academic needs.

You’ll use this online system to register for classes, see your midterm and final grades, and track your academic progress to ensure that you’re taking enough credits per semester to graduate on time.

HomerConnect houses the full class...

A: Ithaca’s version of pass/fail is S/D/F, which is short for satisfactory/D/failure.

Grades C- and above count as satisfactory and don’t affect GPA, whereas grades D+ and below will be recorded individually and affect your GPA.

Most programs allow four S/D/F courses in your college career, but you can only take...

A: If you’re changing majors within the same school, you’ll need to meet with your adviser to figure out your new requirements and schedule the appropriate courses, but it’s definitely manageable.

If you’re switching schools -- say from the School of Humanities and Sciences to the Park School of Communications --...

A: Someone is always available to help students having a hard time in class. All you have to do is ask! The best way to find a tutor is to talk to the professor teaching the course. Most academic departments have student tutors available to lend a hand. The Department of Writing also operates the Writing Center, which is open to students of any major who need help...

A: Most courses are three credit hours, meaning that they meet three hours each week. To be considered a full-time student, you need to take 12–18 credits a semester. Completing a total of 120 credits is a good rule of thumb for many majors; this works out to about five courses per semester over four years. AP credits from high school or courses you take...

A: Yes, but there’s nothing basic about them! PALS classes (Physical Activity, Leisure, and Safety) run half a semester, and you’ll receive half a credit for each. Courses range from beginning to advanced levels, and there’s a wide array to choose from. With PALS you can learn to ski or sail. Other fun options include aerobic funk dance, billiards, jujitsu,...

A: There are more than 150 clubs and organizations on campus, but there’s always room for more. If you take the time to plan who’s going to be in charge, what activities you’ll participate in, and what resources you need, it’s not hard to get the wheels moving. Professional staff in the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement and Ithaca's...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: Sometimes coexisting in a shared space is a challenge. Whether the clashes are about different bedtimes, borrowing sweaters without permission, or other invisible lines being crossed, even the best of roommates won’t agree on everything. Each residence hall floor has a resident assistant ...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: The first few days of college can be intimidating, especially for those who aren’t used to a large social scene. Most students bond with those on their floor, but classes, clubs, and campus events also provide plenty of opportunities to make new friends. Whether their interests are...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: Ithaca does have a frosty reputation, but it doesn’t make the students miserable. When winter comes, the plows and salt trucks are ready. The campus is also relatively centralized, and many buildings are connected, which reduces the distance of the outdoor commute on those extra chilly...

A "Real Deal for Parents" Question

A: Though central New York can seem isolated to some, most students find that both the College and city of Ithaca are not only thriving but also extremely well connected. With a lively local music and theater scene and more restaurants per capita than New York City, Ithaca represents a treasure trove...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: The first few weeks of college can be tough, but they are also important for developing independence. Resist the urge to let your children come home on weekends. It only makes the college transition harder. If you find yourself suffering from a bit of empty nest syndrome, remember that your ...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: The concept of self-discipline can be a challenge for any new college student. First-year students have a lot of new responsibilities to juggle, but there are support systems in place to help smooth the transition. If students are finding it hard to schedule and prioritize, academic advisers are...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: Choosing a major can be overwhelming, even for students who have a future career in mind. With Ithaca’s Exploratory Program, students don’t have to make that decision until they’ve had an opportunity to discover what major they’re really passionate about. A very popular...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: Potluck is the name of the game when it comes to food on any college campus. But at Ithaca, your child won’t be subjected to the Salisbury steaks and mystery meats of decades past. Ithaca’s three main dining halls and food court have enough variety to suit even the pickiest of ...

A "Real Deal for Parents" question

A: Whether your child is walking home from a late-night study session or a party, they will feel protected in almost every location. Public safety officers patrol Ithaca on foot and by car, and the campus is dotted with blue-light emergency phones. If your child is concerned about traveling...

“At Ithaca you have a lot of the benefits of a large school, but same benefits of a small school where you’re not overwhelmed by either the physical size of the campus or the physical size of the student body. Ithaca is small enough that you can make your own mark.” ~David Grey

A: Ithaca is still working on a campus-wide Wi-Fi system, but currently you’ll find wired Internet access in all the dorm rooms and wireless connections in various hotspots and academic buildings around campus. Basic service is free in the dorms, but the speed you get is similar to dial-up (64 kbps). Premium service packages with more bandwidth are available...

A: Everyone knows that choosing a college is a complicated process. Before long it gets personal, and that’s when you have to really narrow down your choices into what are absolutely the most important things that you need in your new home for the next four years. And where does Ithaca fall in here? I think I’ll answer this question by...

A: All incoming communications majors can get their hands on professional equipment right away, even in introductory cinema and photography and television-radio courses. Equipment can be checked out from the portable equipment center located on the first floor of Park Hall. A valid Park card is required to check out equipment, to access production facilities and...

A: Many courses are offered here during the winter and summer sessions—both on campus and online. It’s a great time to fit in that art class you’ve been meaning to try or to catch up on required courses. During the summer there is a wide range of courses offered in almost every department. Students can also do independent studies and internships...

A: At IC it’s easy to stay fit even during the bitter winter months. The Fitness Center, which is free for students and open seven days a week, includes all of the standard aerobic and strength-training machines, plus a basketball gym, inline skating gym, and climbing wall. Personal trainers are also available for extra motivation and guidance. There are...

A: All dorms have their own laundry rooms and it’s free to operate the machines. Plus, with LaundryView.com, you can see when machines are available in your laundry room and when your laundry is done. Easy!

A: For convenience, the Campus Center is a one-stop shop. For lunch on the go, you’ll find take-out items in the IC Square food court, grab ‘n’ go in the dining hall, and Mac’s, a convenience store that stocks snacks and groceries. Next to Mac’s you’ll find the post office and the bookstore, which now offers a dry cleaning and...

A: Yes, non-majors can take part in the music program. If you don’t want to minor in music, classes are available for you, as are lessons and ensembles, if you play an instrument. You can always look in the college catalog for music classes that non-majors are able to take. ...

A. Definitely, but parking costs are higher for freshmen, and there is just one parking lot reserved for first-year students. If you don't bring a car you can get around town easily on the TCAT bus, by calling a cab, or by carpooling with a friend. 

For more...

A. About 2,800 work-study jobs are available at IC each year. To be considered for one, you’ll need to submit the FAFSA. If you qualify for work-study, you’ll most likely start in dining services. After your first semester you can search the JobShop database for positions at the library, Campus Center, Fitness Center, and other places. There are lots...

A. It’s possible to go almost anywhere if you plan ahead. One popular choice is the Ithaca College London Center, but you may also study in Australia, Singapore, Sweden, and more than 50 other countries through affiliations with organizations such as the Institute for the International Education of Students. Short-term and semester-long options are...

A. Ithaca has several Greek-lettered honor societies and professional clubs, but there are no recognized social fraternities or sororities. Four music-oriented fraternities hold inductions and have reserved housing options, but they’re not Greek organizations in the traditional sense. For more information about our music fraternities visit ...

A. Yes! Ithaca has a cross-registration agreement with Cornell. You may take one course per semester and up to 12 credits toward your major, but the classes you take can’t be ones that are offered at IC. Ithaca also has a similar cross-registration agreement with Wells College in Aurora, New York.

A: There are plenty of options! The one that’s closest to varsity play is competitive-level club sports, which are intercollegiate and have set schedules of play. IC also has several recreational sport clubs, which allow you to participate in alternative athletics, from modern and traditional dance to Olympic sports like badminton and table...

A: If you need medical attention, drop by Ithaca College‘s Hammond Health Center, which is conveniently located in the middle of campus. The accredited center has a staff of doctors, physician’s assistants, lab technologists, and nurses who accept appointments and walk-ins. It also has an on-site pharmacy, the ability to do lab testing...

A: Ithaca has active Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish communities, and services are held weekly in Muller Chapel. The chapel is also used for organized prayer, meditation, and other appropriate events.

A: Although students are allowed to have cars their freshman year, many don't bother because it's easy to get around town without one. The TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) bus service runs every day, and most routes run every half hour. The TCAT bus takes students from IC to the Commons, Pyramid Mall, Wegmans, and many other places in the...

A: There are lots of options for students who follow specialized diets. For students who are allergic to milk, all of the dining halls carry soy milk or rice milk. At the Terrace Dining Hall there is the Kosher Kitchen. You'll find salad bars in all the dining halls, but the Campus Center Dining Hall also has a vegan section. And the Towers Dining...

A. There are plenty of theater opportunities at Ithaca. The programs offered by the Department of Theatre Arts are highly competitive, so it is very difficult for non-majors to earn...

A. It’s easy to have a close relationship with your professors at IC. Most of the faculty I’ve encountered have been warm and inviting and want you to thrive at Ithaca. The classes in your major will usually range anywhere from 10 to 20 people. Intro classes will often be larger than this and may have dozens of students. These are rare, however, and the...

A. If you’re undecided, Ithaca has an Exploratory Program that gives you until the end of your sophomore year to choose a major. Be sure to enroll in classes from as many different areas as possible. Your academic adviser will help you plan a schedule of courses that spark your curiosity. Take a couple classes with familiar subjects, like history or science, and...

A. Many students find that their closest friends are the ones that they lived with freshman year. However, if you get stuck with a bad roommate or unfriendly floormates, don’t worry—there are many opportunities to meet people. I’ve made good friends by getting involved in different clubs, such as IC Unbound (a dance group) and Community Plunge....

A. While the appeal of a large, Division I school is enticing, being surrounded by tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff every day certainly takes out the personalized touch college is supposed to have. On a smaller campus like Ithaca you get to see people you know and form closer relationships with friends and professors. It's easy to...

A. There’s usually plenty to do on campus thanks to groups like IC After Dark, but when you venture off campus, there’s no shortage of things to do. For movie buffs, there are three theaters, and the Commons offers more than enough different restaurants and shops to spend your time in. If you go across town to the East Hill, you can...