Jumpstart Your IC Experience

In one of our pre-semester programs for incoming first-year and transfer students, you can make early connections within your new community on campus and beyond. Each program has a different focus, and selected participants will join in activities and exercises designed around those themes.

Hear what current IC students have to say about how Jumpstart helped them "jumpstart" their Ithaca College experience!

Fall 2020 Program Dates are TBA!

Please note that given that the first day of classes at IC is now October 5, the anticipated Jumpstart program dates are uncertain. As soon as a move-in date for first-year students is set, we will be able to move forward with confirming program dates. The Jumpstart application and official timeline will be posted here when more information becomes available. Thanks for your patience! 

There is no cost for new first-year and transfer students to participate in this program, but there is a selection process. Read about each program and its distinct focus, then choose which one (if any) to apply to.  You'll indicate which program you're interested in on the application. (See "Apply to Jumpstart," below.)

Community Plunge

Connect with your new neighbors in the Ithaca community as you work with a team of other incoming first-year students on local service projects.

Commit to Serve
ECHO
(Experiencing Connections by Heading Outdoors)

Sleep under the stars with your classmates along the Finger Lakes Trail as you use and grow your outdoor adventure skills.

Connect with Nature
The GREEN Tour
(Gardening, Recycling, Eating, Enjoying Nature)

Learn about sustainability in Ithaca as you tour farms and food production systems, hike gorge trails, and eat like a locavore. 

Save the Planet
Lead-In

Learn what leadership looks like at Ithaca as you meet successful student leaders, build your skills, and lead your peers through an adventure challenge course.

Take the Lead

Important Dates for Jumpstart 2020

TBD: Online application process opens. 

TBD: Online application process closes at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

TBD: Applicants will be notified of their selection status via email.

TBD: Selected applicants must confirm their acceptance by this date.

TBD dates (We hope to have these confirmed by late July, and will update this page as soon as we have them! Please note that if circumstances change due to COVID-19 related issues, we will update this page accordingly.):

??: Jumpstart participants move in to their fall room assignment on TBD. This date will be 2 days prior to the regular move-in date for all first-year students.

??: All four Jumpstart programs run simultaneously from 4:00 pm  move-in day until 10:00 pm the following day. Participants will be involved in activities this entire time, with time reserved for sleeping and eating. All meals are provided during the program.

??: Move-in day for all other first-year students - Jumpstart participants will have the opportunity to volunteer to be on the Move-In Crew!

Note: The application is not accessible via all smartphones. We suggest using a computer or tablet to complete the application.

Contact Us

Please contact the Office of Student Engagement if you have any questions.

(607) 274-3222