Why I Chose IC
I chose Ithaca because they offered me a clear path in the major of my choosing, and it felt like a place I could grow and be independent, yet still felt homey. At many other schools, my best academic option would have been double majoring in writing and film, but Ithaca's Park School was extremely appealing because they had a major for me and professors with industry experience to guide me. I'm from a small city and an even smaller high school, and knew I didn't want a really big college, but I also wanted to broaden my horizons. Ithaca was perfect in this regard. The downtown area reminds me of where I'm from, but with even more to explore from new cuisine to swimming at waterfalls. The size of the school itself is also a great sweet spot—big enough that I am always meeting new people but small enough that I run into friends often. Class sizes were also a huge factor for me. I love that my professors commit to getting to know their students and forming a sense of classroom camaraderie, even in larger intro classes. My favorite professor went around our 80-person lecture last spring and asked to take a photo of each of us holding a sheet of paper with our name on it. By the next class he had studied up and knew every single one of us! That is my favorite example of the kind of unique place Ithaca College is.
Advice
The college search process is SO daunting, and I used to hear people say I would know a school was for me “from the second you step foot on campus.” This is true for some people, but it doesn't have to be for everyone. My advice is to really pay attention on your tour, explore all your options, and go with the place that you could realistically see yourself going tomorrow. It doesn’t have to feel like home right away, it just has to be a place you could see yourself becoming comfortable at. You will find your way!
Let’s Connect!
Email me anytime at gmattair@ithaca.edu.
