<p>I am checking in to see how everybodies kids are doing. Let me know. Have a great day!</p>
<p>Hi collegebound! Hope things are going well for your son (and same to all the other posters!). How has living in the lounge been for him (which dorm?)? My daughter has settled in nicely to her room in Hood Hall and seems to be really enjoying everything about IC so far. She has made a new friend who has a car - VERY convenient for those runs to Wegman’s and Purity Ice Cream!</p>
<p>Of course I found something else to complain about (I know, I’m a pain!): the fact that out of the three places where they can receive mail, the one where the biggest packages have to be picked up from is the one furthest away from the dorms. Now that was some smart planning!</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful and successful year!</p>
<p>Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. Its been so busy around here. My daughter had a tonsillectomy and we then had to get her ready for her semester abroad (UK). They really start late there.<br>
My son is happy being in the lounge, but it is only for this semester. Next term he will be moved to who knows where with who knows who. Yes, I am still bitter about this whole housing fiasco. He seems to be adjusting nicely to college life tho, and for that I am grateful.
I can’t say much about the mail situation. He has not complained about the locations where he gets his mail and packages so I will leave well enough alone there. Hope you and your children are all doing well.<br>
I will keep checking this board but it is surely not as active as other schools. Oh well.</p>
<p>If she doesn’t want to walk, ask them for a ride and they’ll usually do it. Just depends on how busy they are. The mail services center is only about a 5 minute walk down from main campus.</p>
<p>Good rule of thumb is that anything over a large flat rate box goes to the larger center. They don’t go to the dorms because they’re too large for the offices on campus.</p>
<p>Hello all, This thread has been quiet…I guess everyone is settled. I’m wondering how all your Freshman students are doing up in Ithaca with the change of weather and adjustment to college life??</p>
<p>Yes it has been quiet on this forum - I’m surprised there haven’t been any discussions about applying, etc. Anyway, my daughter (music major) is absolutely loving her freshman year so far - the classes, the professors, her new friends, the town, everything (well, she complains about the food!). Weather-wise nothing too horrible yet, but i’m sure that will change very soon!! Hope everyone else is having a good year.</p>
<p>Momof2violinists–glad to hear your D is enjoying the music conservatory. We are going out in April to visit. S is a bass player and will be applying there next fall–very exciting!</p>
<p>Hope your son has a great visit in April. They are very warm and welcoming to prospective students. Maybe your son can arrange for a lesson with the bass teacher - very helpful when choosing schools. Best of luck on the whole application/audition process next year!!</p>
<p>Yes, he and the bass teacher have already emailed back and forth. He will most definitely be getting a lesson. He was also invited to sit in on classes that day. So far so good!</p>
<p>Glad to get things going here again! Did all the housing work out for everyone? Anyone have children in the Roy Park School and if so are they enjoying the program. I am hoping to get DS to apply for the Park Scholar Award (he won’t be keen on writing two more essays)…I know it’s incredibly competitive but worth a shot!</p>
<p>I was a Park Scholar, so I’m happy to answer any questions regarding that.</p>
<p>Thanks IthacaGirl! Now I have to get DS to finish the app/essays! Any idea how many students make it to the “finals program”? The brochure states there will be “interviews and programs for finalists”…what sort of “programs”? Do you recall how many students applied/became finalists/received scholarship? Thanks!!</p>
<p>My son and I toured Ithaca this past summer. Not many students around but our tour guide was great and had lots of info and stories. Before visiting Ithaca my son (HS senior now) had visited about eight schools. After each one he would say “yeah, nice”. Maybe because he’s a boy, but I had hoped for a little more of a reaction from him…right. However, IC was different. He loved the campus, the location and the view! He rows for his high school team and wanted to see IC since they have an established crew program. Right now it’s his first choice and he hopes he gets accepted. He applied EA, so now we wait. We are heading up again this coming weekend to meet the rowing coach and maybe catch a practice. I guess I may ask admissions some well crafted questions about housing based on parts of this thread.</p>
<p>He is our oldest and this whole college process has been tough yet a good learning experience for all of us. Should go smoother the next time around…ha!</p>
<p>The numbers varying every year based on how many awards are given. For my year, it was 14. Recently, it has gone down to 11. There are usually 25-30 finalists. I can’t really give many details regarding finalist weekend because it would give an unfair advantage, but basically it’s a really fun opportunity for the committee to meet the finalists and do in person interviews and events. It’s worth applying–EVERY single application that is completed in full is read by one of the committee members :)</p>
<p>IthacaGirl,
Thanks so much for all the information. We live in California and are not really familiar with Ithaca College at all but my daughter was sent an unsolicited invite to apply for a Park Scholarship so we have been investigating. As a film major my daughter has already applied to USC, NYU and a few other top film programs. Do you know anything about the Ithaca Film program and how it would compare to these programs?</p>
<p>Similar to the reactions of other parents on this thread, I too was very concerned after reading the horror stories about the housing situation here. My D visited last month and really liked the school, and even made a friend of another prospective Freshman at the vist too, but after reading this post I do have to admit we’re having some 2nd thoughts about how we really regard the school overall.</p>
<p>And, one thing my D (and also my wife) seem to have noticed (I missed it) was related to the food situation at Ithaca. How is the food up there, really? There was a news item they read about in a local paper there about the campus cafeteria not passing 3 recent health / safety checks or kids getting sick eating there… so I figured I’d ask any students reading this thread about that, maybe IthacaGirl can comment as well since she’s been knowledgeable for the housing issue.</p>
<p>Thanks…</p>
<p>@CaliFilm - My son is a freshman this year in the Emerging Media major. Although he does spend some time in the Park School as part of that major, I really can’t speak to the film program. But I did want to let you know that Ithaca College was rated #22 Film School in the country by the Hollywood Reporter this past year. Here’s a link: [Hollywood</a> Reporter Names Ithaca College One of the Top 25 Film Schools - Media Relations - Ithaca College](<a href=“IC News | Ithaca College”>IC News | Ithaca College)</p>
<p>Also, just to comment on the housing situation - my son chose to be in a triple this first semester. It saved him about $750 for one semester, he got a free Micro-Fridge and free cable TV. Next semester, one of the roommates is moving out, so it will become a standard double, but he’s been very happy there. He’s also had no complaints about the food - he actually likes it. And he loves the college! Great atmosphere. Very interactive programs. He’s already been on a white water rafting trip, backpacking trip, visited the nature center, and he’s been down to the Ithaca Commons area for a few activities. Also, visited Cornell for one of his club events.</p>
<p>Lastly, Ithaca was named Best College Town in America, if you believe those types of rankings. It’s at least worth a look!
<a href=“https://www.ithaca.edu/parents/news/ithaca-named-best-college-town-in-america----again-34948/[/url]”>https://www.ithaca.edu/parents/news/ithaca-named-best-college-town-in-america----again-34948/</a></p>
<p>@califilm, my D is a freshman in the Park School as a film major and loves it. She has already worked on several films for senior thesis projects and has gained so much experience. She is also happy with classes she has been taking. She enjoys campus life and takes advantage of all it has to offer. She is very happy she chose Ithaca College.</p>
<p>Thanks JEDada and PA. My D was interested (who wouldn’t be) in the Park Scholarship, but if she were fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist she has a conflict. The weekend the finalist are supposed to be on campus for interviews is also the weekend of the Student Television Network convention in Orlando. Seems odd. I would think that many candidates for the Park School would be attending this national convention? Without significant financial aid NY is a long way to go for school.</p>
<p>Ditto to all that was said above… the film school is phenomenal. Students are able to use the equipment we have available from day one and there are always opportunities to hone your craft. A lot of freshman work on the thesis films which is a great experience. The food on campus is actually good. While it will get repetitive after about 6 months, that will be the case on any campus. There are only so many menu items they can create. Each dining hall has about 5-10 different stations that will give you a lot of variety.</p>
<p>I’ve said my piece on housing–I was a part of the biggest class IC had ever had (well… i think this new class beat us, but oh well), so I know where everyone is coming from. Parents think more of the hassle than your kid will. At the end of the day, all they care about is having somewhere to sleep after a long day.</p>
<p>As for the finalist weekend conflict… it is what it is. The finalist weekend is the same every single year and they book it like 3 years in advanced to prepare everyone. I’m not 100%, but I’m basically positive that you have to attend finalist weekend to be considered for the award–even if only for a day. They take care of travel plans so it’s not a hassle. Unfortunately I’ve never heard of the conference you’re referring to, nor have I heard of it being a problem in the past, so I can’t give details regarding that. Your son/daughter will receive enough warning about whether or not they’re a finalist to make accommodations :)</p>