Any thoughts on Ithaca?

Any thoughts on Ithaca? And/or the nine semester music ed/performance major? We live in an area where no one has heard of Ithaca and son is having a tough time with it. Another school he is considering is a small, local, easy-admission LAC with a music director who reportedly does a fantastic job of helping kids get jobs after graduation. He has had a lesson there and thought it was good. But the level of music, by and large, will be the same as his high school band. I have also heard they may cut the choral program. While hhe is not voice, the cuts to the arts are concerning. There is a single adjunct professor in the studio at local college versus two FT and one PT prof at Ithaca. I guess what I’m wondering is Ithaca worth pushing him to consider? He just can’t get past no one having heard of it. Still waiting to hear back from Lawrence, which will probably garner the same reaction as Ithaca. Cost is not a consideration.

Our NJ high school sends many kids to Ithaca every year for a variety of majors, including musical theater, sports management and film. My friend’s son (from VT) is a senior chemistry major. I think the students I know have been happy there.

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I don’t know if this will help…but when my D decided on IU for UG…I heard over and over…Indiana…why is she going to Indiana!?!? I even had one rude soul say at a grad party as I was scooping up some pasta salad: “Why isn’t she going to Juilliard? She’s musical” while he shook his head in dismay at my stupidity (I had thoughts about what to do with my scoop of pasta!)

I’d love to say that I was above all the rude comments…but I do remember that one word for word. It was frustrating, disheartening, annoying and sad. BUT it seemed common too. And not only for music students. Trust me…if he decides to go local, you’ll get lectured by half of your “friends” on how he should go away to broaden his horizons. If he goes away, the other half will tell you what a huge mistake it is not to stay close. Seriously you really can’t win…with some people. Don’t make a decision bc of those people.

Let him pick the best school for him. And use this line to opinionated people: I don’t know all the reasons that he picked Ithaca. You may want to go ask him. Or I have no idea if the music program is better at Ithaca compared to the LAC. You should really go ask him. Nobody will ask him. Just don’t engage unless someone is sincere. Be proud and understand you are not alone.

Ithaca and Lawrence are both seriously good music schools…that many people will not know. So join the club…of people who know about music schools…and don’t worry about people with little knowledge of music.

As for is Ithaca a better fit (or possibly Lawrence), I don’t know. But I would keep that decision amongst your son, close and supportive family and his music teachers.

But I would ask him this: will you really be happy with high school level music for your only college experience? That would be a red flag to me.

EDIT: I re-read your comment after my long response…about my experience! I would answer your questions as this…yes it’s worth “pushing” him to consider all options…bc he’s YOUNG and subject to peer pressure. You’re his parent and can see the long game. In 6 months, this peer pressure will disappear and be replaced by his decision. If it’s made based on 17 and 18 year old buddies…that would seem questionable. A parent may need to step in….and provide important perspective for his future. Try to get him communicating with students at Ithaca…maybe that would help…not to make him go there but get more perspective.

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Have you visited Ithaca? It’s remote. Nice college town. Overall it’s not a well known school but for Arts and Communications it is well known. Review old posts. I seem to recall Ithaca cut some majors/faculty.

Yes, they did cut faculty. From what I had read this was a pre-Covid strategy. I don’t believe any music faculty was affected.

No, he has not been and I don’t think he wants to visit. (Long story… don’t ask, but he is ok with not visiting.) It can’t be more remote than Lawrence, which he ok’d, and he was really big on Bard for a while, too. We live in a tiny town, so he’s used to it.

I think it’s an underrated but very good music school, based on the size and quality of the faculty (noted in their bios). S had a very good experience in the audition and we both felt that the info session with both current students and faculty made it feel like a very warm, supportive environment.

Have you heard results yet? We haven’t. I’m not sure it’s S’s first choice but he was encouraged to consider it from the audition process, even though it was virtual.

Same thoughts here, regarding this really only being an issue for the next couple months. He just seems so sad with him options. I wish his directors knew more about colleges and could reassure him, but they are also very Texas-centric. He did do a prospective student zoom at Ithaca where he got to participate and really seemed to like it. I am going to back off for a few weeks and see if he will hopefully do some research on his own.

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Yes, we heard back this week. He is in for music ed/performance combined degree. I have also been very pleased with the communication and support he has received. They have gone above and beyond with him. The facilities look amazing, too!

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What are his options? What is he looking for? There are some good sources here on CC that might have insight or advice.

He struggled as a student up until this year (overly focused on music, didn’t turn in homework or study). Went through the great maturation over the summer and is ready to roll. He is going to start as a music major and see how it goes — could definitely see himself as a band director but is open to other careers in music realm or even just doing music for fun and shifting to something else. That’s why we did all small liberal arts colleges, to maximize flexibility and also for the low class sizes. He was accepted at local college, Ithaca, and I assume he will get in at Lawrence. He got into several other colleges but they don’t have music ed.

Congrats! I agree- their communication is very personalized and kind. I am betting it’s a great program.

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Maybe he has April Angst early. On this site, we used to label the months as March Madness (waiting) followed by April Angst (deciding)…May is for Buyer’s Remorse (regretting)…lol. It is really a fun process!

I’m hoping that he is just working through the normal emotions of the college selection process. Some kids decide quickly, easily and happily and other agonize over it and wait until the last minute…and are still conflicted. And of course everything in between. No matter what…most will be happy at their school in the fall.

Buckle up…the ride is not over. June is usually a really nice month…before you start to worry about your kid’s roommate (is the kid a serial killer or just a drug lord??).

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