<p>Academically, how far ahead of Ithaca is Whitman? If one is doing a 3-2 engineering program, does it matter at all? Thoughts? Feelings? Experiences?</p>
<p>Other than that, any other thoughts between the two?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I have heard amazing things about Whitman and student satisfaction. small classes, tons of opportunities, close knit student body.</p>
<p>What is Ithaca's academic standing? They aren't ranked on the US News report.</p>
<p>Whitman is a top 10 Liberal arts College, I don't think Ithaca is even in the top 100 colleges in America. Whitman is faaar ahead of Ithaca, however, what you want to major in makes a big difference.</p>
<p>On the US News lists, Ithaca shows up on the Universities-Masters (North), I think at #7 this year. IC has several well-regarded specialties, including musical theater, music performance and communications, but I am not at all sure about engineering.</p>
<p>Whitman is not anywhere near a "top 10 liberal arts college." USNWR ranks Whitman 36th. Whitman is not in the "top 100 colleges in America," which is not a reputable ranking classification anyone has ever seen.</p>
<p>Whitman isn't top ten but it's an excellent school. I think it's a significant step up over Ithaca.</p>
<p>Is it that Ithaca isn't in the top 100, or did they just not choose to be ranked? I could be wrong but I thought they were fairly well-regarded in the Northeast.</p>
<p>Ithaca College, as earlier poster stated, is number 7 among "Northern Masters Universities." No college can "choose" not to be ranked.</p>
<p>Right, but they aren't in the undergraduate rankings, where I would expect them to be.</p>
<p>Yes, they are. "Masters Universities" is a USNWR invention for those schools that do not fit into traditional liberal arts or university classifications. It is kind of a catch-all, but the ranking does refer to its undergraduate school.</p>
<p>Gonzaga, Santa Clara and Redwoods are examples of western schools that are similarly classified.</p>
<p>There is also a ranking for "comprehensive colleges," which are small, very regionalized or otherwise hard to classify schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying guys; it makes a lot more sense now. Is there any way to fit those master's universities into an undergrad list? I'm just trying to figure out for a friend how much she'd be giving up academically/job wise if she chooses Ithaca over Whitman, assuming she'd be doing a science/math/physical therapy type thing at Ithaca.</p>
<p>Ithaca's physical therapy programs are both well regarded and well funded, but its reputation for science/math/engineering programs is not as strong. Ithaca is also very strong in the performing arts/communications/dance, etc. I don't know much about specific programs at Whitman, but I do know that the school has a fine overall academic reputation, though certainly not on par with the top 10 liberal arts colleges.</p>
<p>Sigh, this is another thread full of nonsense as regards a school's reputation and, ugh, "rankings." Both Whitman and Ithaca are excellent small liberal arts colleges that are well-known outside of their home regions. Why, you ask? Because they've produced highly motivated, qualified and ultimately successful alumni. And yes, I know alumni of both Whitman and Ithaca. Both school recruit and enroll students from some of the best high schools in America.</p>
<p>I think Whitman is a little ahead of Ithaca academically, but I don't think that settles the matter of where your child should go to college. I suspect that either one could meet the academic needs of very able students. I personally would lean toward Whitman, but mostly because I am in the NW. Ithaca has more programs, and I think is particularly well-regarded for physical therapy. I looked at Whitman's math offerings earlier today and thought they mght be a little limited. I haven't looked at Ithaca's math department.
Are you at the beginning of the search, or the end? I think a number of LAC in the Midwest are particularly noted for being strong in sciences-- Carleton, Grinnell, Lawrence, St. Olaf.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. It's actually for a friend, and she's deciding between the two. She'd be interested in physical therapy at Ithaca but right now she's in the social sciency school, and not health sciences. I don't know how easy it would be to change.</p>