How to Apply

The 2025 Application Is Now Open!

Important Policies and Procedures to Read Before Applying

Applications for 2025 Are Now Open!

Take your first steps toward college by living and learning this summer at Ithaca College. Please read the important information regarding health and safety protocols AND student conduct code policies before applying to any of our programs. Program dates are July 07 - July 25, 2025 (participants must arrive on campus on Sunday, July 06, between 2:00pm-4:30pm).

The Pre-College application deadline is Friday, May 16, 2025 for Summer College for High School Students and Ithaca Young Writers Institute. Additionally, international students must apply by Tuesday April 1, 2025 for residential programs. The Pre-College application deadline and the Acceptd application deadline is Monday, March 17, 2025 for Summer Theatre Conservatory.

Eligibility Requirements

Participants must be age 14 or older, and be entering 9th grade or in high school (or equivalent) in fall 2025. 

While a strong academic profile is normally needed for acceptance, students may be accepted into courses where they have already demonstrated a strong background or ability in a specific field or subject. Apply early to reserve your spot and increase the likelihood you will receive your choice of courses.

Acceptance to any pre-college for high school students summer programs does not guarantee admittance to Ithaca College.

Gather Your Materials - Summer College and Ithaca Young Writers

For Summer College for High School Students and Ithaca Young Writers Institute

To apply, you must submit the following documents, so get these two documents ready to submit BEFORE clicking on the application.

  • Unofficial High School Transcript (PDF or PNG/JPG format) (Summer College for High School Students and Ithaca Young Writers Institute only). You will need to submit a current high school transcript (scanned or unofficial copies accepted) or your most recent semester grade report as an attachment to your application. Please name the file starting with the applicant's last name, then an underscore character, and then the word "transcript" (e.g. Jones_Transcript). Your application will not be complete without a copy of this transcript.
    • Grade reports and unofficial/official transcripts can be obtained in electronic format from your school. Ask in the main office or from a guidance counselor.
  • Reflection (PDF or RTF format) (All applicants). Upload your written reflection during the application process in response to the following prompt. Please name the file starting with the applicant's last name, then an underscore character, and then the word "essay" (e.g. Jones_Essay).
    • Prompt: What are the three most important things you would gain from participating in the summer pre-college program to which you are applying? 500 words maximum.

Gather Your Materials - Summer Theatre Conservatory

For Summer Theatre Conservatory

To apply, you must submit the following documents, so get these documents ready to submit BEFORE clicking on the application.

For the Summer Theatre Conservatory application, in addition to the standard application, you must submit an application via Acceptd (a $25 fee applies, fee waiver available, ask here). Please note that the deadline for Summer Theatre Conservatory applications (Standard AND Acceptd) is March 17, 2025. Applicants must submit the following files to Acceptd:

  • A brief résumé (.pdf), including theatrical activities in high school, during summers, honors and awards received, leadership activities or offices held, and other significant non-theatrical activities.
  • A current headshot or recent photo (.pdf).
  • Two contrasting songs: Each video should be 60–90 seconds, One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice). One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
  • One dance prescreen is required: 30–60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you are most comfortable with: jazz, ballet, modern, African, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary – do what you love, move the way you love to move.
    • Dance media can be self-choreographed but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
    • All choreography must be performed to music rather than a cappella dance media.  
    • All dance media should be filmed in a “head-to-toe” shot, taking care to keep the applicant’s entire body in the frame at all times.  

Please submit separate video clips for each of the above. These videos can be filmed on a handheld device or phone. It is not necessary to submit professionally filmed or edited video. Simply make sure you can be seen and heard.

If you have questions on this part of the application process, please contact our faculty director for Summer Theatre Conservatory, Courtney Young @ cyoung7@ithaca.edu.

Applying

Application Deadlines

  • March 17, 2025 (Summer Theatre Conservatory)
  • May 16, 2025 (Summer College and Ithaca Young Writers Institute)

Once you have gathered your materials, you are ready to apply. Applications are set for rolling reviews. We aim to spend no more than two weeks reviewing completed applications. Theatre Conservatory applications may take a little longer due to the additional audition material to review.

Apply

Click here for the application! The $35.00 application fee is paid during the application process (Fee waived for Foundation Partner applicants). 

Note: If you are applying to the Summer Theatre Conservatory, please note that the application is due by March 17, 2025, and there is a second step in the application process on Accept'd (see the section for that information) and an additional application fee associated with that program.

Application Decisions

You will be notified of your application status on average two weeks after the submission of a completed application and all accompanying documents. Additional time for application review may be needed by some of our program offerings, like our Summer Theatre Conservatory. Please reach out to the faculty director of each program if you have questions about your application status.

Upon Acceptance - Forms & Payment

Upon acceptance into one of our pre-college programs, you will need to set up your participant record in our Campminder system. Parents/Guardians must create a Campminder account and complete the information on behalf of the applicant. Remember this log-in information as you will need it for future submission of payments and forms. Upon being accepted into our program, a parent/guardian will be required to set up your participation record in Campminder and upload various forms with parent/guardian and participant signatures. You will be notified of this process upon acceptance into the program or can review our CampMinder Overview page. All forms will be delivered and received via the parent/guardian Campminder account so make sure to record your login information for Campminder. All forms must be completed and received by Ithaca College at least 3 weeks before the start of the program. The forms you will need to complete are:

  1. Health Forms
    1. Immunization Record (PDF)
    2. Health History Form (Form in Campminder)
    3. Mental Health Form (Form in Campminder)
  2. Policy Forms
    1. Consent to Treat
    2. Policy Sign-Off Forms
      1. Rules and Regulations
      2. Photographic Consent and Release Form
      3. Medication Administration Policy and Understanding
      4. Parental Consent Form and Liability Release
  3. Room and Activities Form
  4. Transportation Form

All forms must be completed in order to participate in our program.

Billing and Payment

Billing and payment occur through the Campminder software.

See our Program Options and Costs page.

Contact Us

Office of Extended Studies
Peggy Ryan Williams Center, Room 304
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

(link is a phone number) 607-274-3143