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Casey McCracken and Rebecca Vandermeulen at the BFI film festival

To be considered for the four year Park Scholar award, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (federal guidelines), and apply to Ithaca College for an undergraduate major within the Roy H. Park School of Communications. Transfer students are not eligible for the award.

Please review and complete all of the steps below to be considered for a Park Scholar award.

1. Submit the Common Application online for Ithaca College.

2. Complete the Park Scholar Award application in IC Connect by January 15, 2021, including:

  • Personal History
  • Two Essays
  • Two Recommendation Letters

(Please note: You will not be able to access the application until you have submitted your application for admission to Ithaca College.)

Important Dates for Fall 2021 Applicants

By February 1, 2021: Ithaca College application must be completed and on file.

By January 15, 2021: Park Scholar Award online application must be completed and on file.

By early-March: Park Scholar finalist decisions will be emailed to all applicants

Sunday, March 21 - Tuesday, March 23, 2021: Interviews and programs for finalists.

By April 20, 2021: Award recipients notified

Frequently Asked Questions About the Application Process

To be considered for this award, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (federal guidelines), and apply to Ithaca College for an undergraduate major within the Park School. Transfer students are not eligible for the award.

In previous years, we have received approximately 300 - 400 applications for the Park Scholar Award.

Each year, a limited number of scholarships are awarded. The number varies from year to year.

No, there are no minimum academic requirements. We will review all applications and encourage anyone interested to apply. However, the award is very competitive, and applicants should demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.

The online application requires the following: two essay responses; two letters of recommendation; and a list of volunteer, leadership and employment activities. You do not need to submit an additional transcript. While the Park Scholar application is due by January 15, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION TO APPLY TO ITHACA COLLEGE BY FEBRUARY 1.

You will submit your essays, personal history and the names and contact information for your recommenders. The recommenders will submit the letters on their own.

Yes, you will need to submit two additional recommendation letters that are written specifically for the Park Scholar application.

No, you do not need to submit an additional transcript.

The Park Scholar application needs to be received by January 15. Remember that you must also apply to Ithaca College by February 1. For information on the college application process, visit Admissions.

All applicants (including those not selected as finalists) are notified of their finalist status in writing by early March. Award recipients are notified in writing by April 20.

If a student is selected as a finalist for the award, s/he is expected to participate in the Finalist Weekend. Please check our website for the dates for this year’s Finalist Weekend. The Finalist Weekend consists of individual and group interviews, as well as information sessions and activities.

Approximately 10-15 finalists are invited to campus.

Additional questions about the application process?

Please contact the Office of Admission
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

(800) 429-4274 or (607) 274-7342