<p>Anther factor about Ithaca is the weather and relative isolation of the town. It is definitely a “college town” but quite in the “Middle of Nowhere”,necessitating a long drive to get to Syracuse or Binghampton, neither of which are booming metropolises! The winters are harsh and the campus “concrete” and on a hill-top, which makes it seem even colder…
Ithaca is not an easy admit, as has been mentioned here already. I know of two kids, both “stars” in the area and their high schools, who had problems getting in; one, a young man with a great deal of MT experience was “only” accepted into their Drama program and the young woman was not permitted into the VP major at all, but told to be an " Undecided Music Major" and then re-audition in a year or two. Both had good academic credits and were accepted academically. I would recommend visiting the campus and staying over night to get a feel for the place (I notice you are from Michigan, and you may be used to winter, but those in Ithaca can try the patience of a saint!). Good luck!</p>