Hi!
I was accepted to IC last week and I thought I’d make a post detailing my experiences with application/notification–not posting to ‘brag’, but to help as a reference for anyone waiting to hear back or anyone in the future looking to apply. I’m also posting this because I know that, as a junior last year, I would read through threads looking for people with situations (grade dips) like mine–so I’m leaving this to kind of serve as ‘hope’ for kids who also don’t realize that they have a better shot than they think. 
I applied on October 15 and was accepted November 13. I was notified through myIthaca–there was no email, I just checked the portal and it appeared on the front page (I saw on November 20: “Congratulations! You were accepted November 13” so I’m guessing it takes a bit to appear online.) Then I received the letter in the mail a few days later, a cute folder with acceptance letter and scholarship letter. (Btw, I applied to the Park school of communications for journalism.)
I received $20,000 in my merit scholarship offer from IC, which I was super excited about! As far as stats are concerned: I had a 3.49 UW GPA and 33 ACT. While I am happy with my ACT, I go to a pretty competitive suburban public high school where the average GPA is…NOT 3.49. I was disappointed with my GPA. I had always taken a heavy AP courseload, but my GPA fell a TON sophomore year. I struggled a lot with depression that year and had to take a bit of time out of school for a treatment program, which led to me 1. dropping out of honors math and science classes into standard level 2. failing a core science class and 3. getting almost entirely B’s. I honestly thought that, after that year, I was never going to get into a school I liked or receive any sort of scholarship, so this was a pleasant surprise.
My advice to anyone who had a grade dip is to really explain it on the Common App additional info! I did NOT go into detail about mental illness; I simply explained that I had a medical absence. Also, I think I was able to show that I had an upward progression, which you hear SO much about but it’s so true–I had a WEIGHTED 3.3 sophomore year (my school only releases weighted GPAs for each year, we only show unweighted for cumulative) which was disappointing, but then my junior year I stepped it up and got a weighted 5.17. This effort definitely paid off for me.
Finally, make every effort to show interest; IC really cares about it. I visited campus once, emailed my regional representative with questions, and also met with her at the local college fair. And, once you’ve applied, USE MYITHACA! Post statuses and communicate with other kids–it’s super fun. I know that campus visits are inaccessible for many people because of time/finances. I’m lucky that we could visit, but if you’re unable to, they really value communication, whether it be through email or the student portal.
The money itself was a $15,000 Communications scholarship (IC has school-based scholarships for every school, so there’s a communications one called the Rod Serling one, as well as ones for business, health sciences, etc.) and a $5,000 ALANA scholarship (basically for minority students. I am an Asian female, not low-income but still a URM here)
I think all of this proves that Ithaca really is a place that genuinely cares about seeing people as more than just numbers. I know that’s heard often in this process, but it’s true. As a journalism major I participated in a lot of writing-related ECs (writing contests, school news magazine, online magazines etc.) and I think the communications scholarship shows that they definitely put thought into the process, it’s not just a cut-and-dry numbers game, like “this gpa gets this much money”. Like, I think my ECs were much stronger than my grades, and I think the money given reflects that they weigh ECs and essay heavily.
I thought maybe I had a shot at getting in despite bad grades, but I was doubtful about receiving money–evidently, they believed in me a little more than I did in myself. Every interaction I had with admissions staff was positive and they were all so helpful/eager to assist in any way possible.
I’m looking to now apply to the IC Honors College and potentially the other scholar programs they have. While I am applying to several other colleges, the money from IC is good and I really love this school. For context, I was also accepted to U Pitt; I haven’t heard back from other places yet but yeah, I love IC and am super happy with this. Roll bombers. Hope this helped!!!