Ithaca College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Clinical Health Studies – 4+ 2 program to get a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Minor: Nutritional Promotion
Student Self Identifies as: White Straight Male
Summary
I am a part of the Ithaca Car Club and I’m also part of the Skate Club.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Public high school in Long Island, New York with a graduating class of about 330 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: Yes
Major: Clinical Health Studies – 4+ 2 program to get a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Minor: Nutritional Promotion
Extracurricular Activities: I am a part of the Ithaca Car Club and I’m also part of the Skate Club.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
Yes. Last year I had difficulty balancing studies and play. I was always in the library studying and didn’t get out much, so these clubs are great outlets for me to take breaks from studying and meet new people.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your major?
My workload is surprisingly light. This year my only major class is Physics, which, on average, has a six-question homework assignment each week and a few reading quizzes on the chapters depending on how fast we go through the material. Every other class I’m taking for my major is reading-based. We read on our own, take some notes, and come into class ready to discuss it.
Is there anything you feel either of your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
I think everything is structured very well here. There’s never an issue with finding classes or getting involved in something I need. My advisor has been great. I have a separate advisor for my Physical Therapy doctorate and she’s helped a great deal.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
This field is particularly competitive in general. I was a mediocre student in high school and this program is something that was really going to challenge me, and I feel challenged. It’s a lot of difficult work and as I’m talking to older students further along down the program, they all have the same thoughts. It’s rigorous, but if you want to do this you’ll belong here. The material is hard but it’s cooperative and a lot of times we’ll form study groups. I have a tutor, I go to TA sessions and anything I need to do to make sure I’m understanding the topics the best I can.
How accessible are your professors?
Occasionally, professors aren’t readily available. Last year it just so happened that pretty much any time I walked into my professor’s office I got help, but this year the hours seemed more limited. With my schedule being so spread out, it’s hard to find a time where I can meet with them.
Do you think people are open to multiple schools of thought in the classroom?
Yeah, that’s one of the things I like about this school. Everyone seems very open and apt to learn and discuss things out of their comfort zone that they normally don’t discuss.
How was transitioning academically as a first-generation college student? Were there any systems in place to help you adapt?
It was really difficult. I wasn’t mentally or academically prepared for the transition, but I did end up making it through and did fairly decent in my first year.
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I love my major and I’m very excited. I’m an ex-gymnast, so growing up in athletics, dealing with injuries, and being in the athletic training room seeing the behind the scenes is stuff is how I got really interested in. that was in the early 2000’s, but it has put me onto physical therapy.
Reasons to Attend
1) It’s a beautiful place.
2) They have a program that’s not wide-spread at the moment. The usual route for physical therapy is 4 years undergraduate, then going to graduate school afterward. Mine is combined so I’m here for 6 years straight.
3) The social aspect of it. the atmosphere and the surrounding area is perfect for getting acclimated and socializing with other people.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) The cost. [Total costs for 2018-2019 were about $59,540.]
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: West Tower with one roommate.
Sophomore: Terrace 1 with the same roommate.
How was transitioning from Long Island, NY to Ithaca in terms of location?
It’s a bit of a drive, which is probably the maximum distance I’m comfortable with. I think it’s perfect because it’s not too long where It’s inconvenient to go home, but it’s also not too close where it’s a bother.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’ve had no experiences where I’ve felt unsafe.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in at Ithaca?
Recently I’ve had a little more time so I’ve been going to Buttermilk Falls State Park with my friends. We do go to parties with my friends which is a good time, or even just hanging out in someone’s room and watching a movie is nice. The fraternities host the parties, and as a guy not in one, it’s a hit or miss. I like some houses more than others because of their reputations.
What nights of the week do you regularly do things?
As of right now, my workload hasn’t been unbearable and I’ve pretty much had time to meet up with my friends for a few hours pretty much every day.
What’s an alternative to going to a party or a bar that you like for a night out?
Staying in is an option. We’ll make food or order food, play video games, watch movies, have a game night, or something like that. If you don’t want to party, you can just go walk around town. It’s actually quite nice.
How happy are you with the weekend options at Ithaca? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I think this is the best place for nights out. I did my research before coming to school and Ithaca is up there for number [4] college town in the country.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
I met a lot of my friends through class or mutual friends. Because of the rigor of the classes, we’ve formed a tight-knit group that sticks together. I’ve also met people through my roommate and his friends. It’s a huge domino effect.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
I think it’s great. I’ve been pretty comfortable reaching out to people. I haven’t felt that people are too judgmental. It’s a nice place to be and the social environment is as good as it could be.
If at all, how did being a first-generation college student impact your social transition?
I don’t think it had a dramatic effect. I didn’t really think about it, to be honest.
How do you like the size of Ithaca in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has it impacted your experience? [There are about 6,250 undergraduates.]
I think it’s perfect. The campus isn’t huge where it’s annoying to get back and forth to either side of it. It’s not that long of a walk, but it’s also not that small where I see the same people all the time. All of my classes are relatively reasonable in size which is better for me to have that connection with the professor and still learn the best I can.
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
This school is very accepting of all of those types of people and that’s really great. Everybody here is better natured, especially compared to being home on long island. [About 72% of students are White, 9% of students are Hispanic, and 5.5% of students are Black.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
There’s a lot of mixing. I don’t think being part of Greek life separates you in any way other than on the weekends and getting into parties.
How would you describe the student body?
It’s a large enough of a population where you get a lot of different personalities. Since I’ve been here, I’ve met people who’re very different from each other. For the most part, my friends and I in the clubs I’m in have things in common.
Careers
Financial Aid
Have you used financial aid? If so, how easy is the office to work with?
Dealing with money and payments is always a pain, but the office is relatively easy to get through. You usually get your questions answered relatively quickly and if there’s any uncertainty you can call during business hours.