
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | University holiday honoring civil rights leader; no classes, offices closed, community service events encouraged. |
| 📚 | First Day of Spring Semester Classes | 27 January 2025 | Start of spring term with course introductions and syllabus reviews for all students. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday; classes may be held, but some administrative offices observe it. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025 | Week-long break for students to rest, travel, or engage in service projects. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 16 March 2025 | Classes resume after the break, refocusing on mid-semester goals. |
| 🏫 | Last Day of Spring Semester Classes | 9 May 2025 | Conclusion of regular classes before finals week. |
| 📝 | Spring Semester Final Exams | 12 May 2025start | Exam period for spring courses, affecting all enrolled students. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 18 May 2025 | Graduation event celebrating degree completions for undergraduates and graduates. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Holiday honoring military personnel; university closed. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Begins | 27 May 2025 | Start of optional summer courses for accelerated learning. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day | 4 July 2025 | National holiday; no classes, fireworks and celebrations common. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 15 August 2025 | Conclusion of summer term with final assessments. |
| 🍂 | First Day of Fall Semester Classes | 25 August 2025 | Beginning of fall term, welcoming new and returning students. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday celebrating workers; no classes. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break | 13 October 2025 | Short break in fall semester for rest and midterm recovery. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2025 | Start of Thanksgiving holiday period. |
| 🍽️ | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 30 November 2025 | Classes resume post-Thanksgiving. |
| ❄️ | Last Day of Fall Semester Classes | 12 December 2025 | End of regular fall classes before exams. |
| 📘 | Fall Semester Final Exams | 15 December 2025start | Final exam week for fall courses. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 20 December 2025 | Extended break over winter holidays. |
Are you planning on applying to IC next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at IC. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Decision I Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for binding early decision applications; notifications by mid-December. |
| 🗓️ | Early Action Application Deadline | 1 December 2025 | Non-binding early applications due; responses by late January. |
| 📆 | Early Decision II Application Deadline | 1 January 2026 | Second round for binding early decisions; notifications by mid-February. |
| 📋 | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Standard deadline for fall admissions; decisions by early April. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 15 February 2026 | Financial aid application priority for maximum aid consideration. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 March 2026 | Deadline for merit-based scholarships and awards. |
| ✉️ | Admissions Decisions Released | 1 April 2026approximate | Regular decision notifications sent to applicants. |
| 🤝 | National College Decision Day | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to commit to a college with deposit. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 15 March 2026 | For students transferring from other institutions. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Earlier deadline for visa processing. |
Ithaca College, nestled in the vibrant city of Ithaca, New York, boasts an academic calendar that reflects its commitment to a balanced, rigorous educational experience. As a private liberal arts college, IC structures its academic year around two primary semesters—fall and spring—with an optional winter session and summer terms for those seeking accelerated learning or additional credits. This setup allows students to immerse themselves in a diverse curriculum while accommodating personal and professional growth. The calendar is meticulously designed to align with national holidays, providing ample time for rest and rejuvenation, which is crucial for maintaining student well-being in a demanding academic environment.
Historically, Ithaca College's academic calendar has evolved to meet the changing needs of its community. Founded in 1892 as a music conservatory, the institution has expanded into a comprehensive college offering over 70 majors across five schools. This growth has influenced the calendar's structure, incorporating interdisciplinary events and collaborative opportunities that foster innovation. Compared to larger universities, IC's calendar emphasizes a more intimate, community-oriented approach, with shorter breaks that encourage on-campus engagement and local exploration in the Finger Lakes region. For students, this means a predictable rhythm that supports effective planning for classes, extracurriculars, and internships.
The impact on students is profound; the calendar dictates not just class schedules but also opportunities for experiential learning, such as study abroad programs during breaks. Faculty and staff benefit from aligned deadlines that facilitate research and administrative tasks. Prospective students should note how the calendar integrates with admissions processes, offering clear timelines for applications and orientations. International students find the structure accommodating, with holidays that allow for cultural observances and travel home. Alignments with holidays like Thanksgiving provide natural pauses for reflection and family time, while spring breaks offer chances for service trips or relaxation amid New York's scenic beauty.
In essence, the Ithaca College academic calendar serves as a roadmap for success, blending academic rigor with life balance. It encourages students to plan ahead, utilizing resources like Rate My Professor to choose courses wisely. For faculty, it's a framework for professional development, with links to research jobs and lecturer positions on Academic Jobs. Parents and prospective applicants can use it to coordinate visits, while staff align work schedules seamlessly. This calendar isn't just dates—it's the heartbeat of IC's dynamic community, promoting growth, collaboration, and achievement in higher education.
Ithaca College's academic calendar is a cornerstone of its educational framework, providing a structured yet flexible timeline for the academic year. Typically divided into fall and spring semesters, each lasting around 15 weeks, the calendar includes periods for orientation, classes, exams, and breaks. This structure supports the college's mission to deliver high-quality liberal arts education, emphasizing hands-on learning and artistic expression, given its roots in music and performing arts.
Traditions play a significant role, with events like convocation marking the start of terms and commencement celebrating achievements. Holiday notes are integrated thoughtfully; for instance, the calendar respects major U.S. observances, allowing time for cultural and personal significance. Students often use these periods to engage in community service or explore Ithaca's natural surroundings, enhancing their overall experience.
Compared to peer institutions, IC's calendar is more compact, fostering a close-knit atmosphere. It's designed to minimize disruptions, with built-in flexibility for weather-related adjustments common in upstate New York. For those planning their academic journey, we invite you to check professor ratings on Rate My Professor to make informed choices. Faculty can explore opportunities via higher ed jobs listings. This overview underscores how the calendar supports holistic development at Ithaca College.
At Ithaca College, semester dates form the backbone of academic planning, offering students a clear framework to organize their coursework and extracurriculars. The fall semester generally begins after Labor Day, ramping up with introductory sessions, while spring follows winter holidays. This timing allows for smooth transitions, with ample opportunity to adjust schedules based on professor feedback from platforms like Rate My Professor.
Tips for class planning include early registration to secure spots in popular courses, especially in competitive fields like communications or health sciences. Students are encouraged to balance workloads, incorporating electives that align with career goals. Viewing ratings on Rate My Professor can help in selecting engaging instructors. For international students, understanding these dates aids in visa and travel arrangements.
Overall, effective planning enhances academic success, with resources available through Academic Jobs for related career advice.
Exam schedules at Ithaca College are positioned at the end of each semester, providing dedicated time for assessments that evaluate student progress. These periods are crucial for demonstrating mastery in subjects, with formats ranging from written tests to presentations.
Preparation tips include utilizing study groups, accessing tutoring services, and reviewing past materials. Students often rate their experiences on Rate My Professor to guide others. Time management is key, balancing review with self-care to avoid burnout.
Faculty design these schedules to align with course objectives, ensuring fairness and academic integrity.
Thanksgiving break at Ithaca College offers a welcome respite, typically encompassing the holiday week, allowing students to recharge with family and friends. This U.S.-specific pause is embedded in the fall semester, providing time for travel to hometowns or exploring local traditions in Ithaca.
Planning tips include booking transportation early, especially for those flying from Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. Students engage in community events or volunteer work, reflecting IC's emphasis on social responsibility. For international students, it's an opportunity to experience American customs or host gatherings on campus.
This break impacts academic momentum positively, refreshing minds for the semester's end. We encourage sharing experiences via Rate My College.
Ithaca College incorporates various holidays and breaks into its calendar, aligning with U.S. observances like Thanksgiving, spring break, and others such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These periods allow for rest, travel, and personal pursuits, enhancing student well-being.
Travel tips include budgeting for trips during spring break, often to warmer destinations, or using holidays for campus visits. Locale-specific notes highlight how breaks coincide with New York's seasonal changes, offering skiing in winter or hiking in fall.
Faculty use these times for professional development, exploring lecturer jobs on Academic Jobs. Overall, these breaks foster a balanced life at IC.
Faculty and staff at Ithaca College follow work schedules tied to the academic calendar, with deadlines for grading, advising, and committee work. This structure ensures smooth operations, from course planning to event coordination.
Timelines include mid-semester evaluations and end-of-term submissions, allowing time for research. Explore related opportunities on research jobs.
Meetings and grading periods are key for faculty, with calendars noting professional development days. We invite employees to rate their employer on Rate My College. Job links include professor salaries.
Archives of past calendars reveal patterns, like consistent semester lengths. Future projections maintain traditions while adapting to needs.
Key events include orientation and commencement. Invite students to rate professors on Rate My Professor or view results.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Holiday for civil rights observance; university-wide closure. |
| 📚 | First Day of Spring Semester Classes | 26 January 2026 | Spring term kickoff with academic orientations. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Observance of presidential holiday. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026 | Break for rejuvenation and travel. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 15 March 2026 | Return to classes after spring recess. |
| 🏫 | Last Day of Spring Semester Classes | 8 May 2026 | Spring classes conclude. |
| 📝 | Spring Semester Final Exams | 11 May 2026start | Exams for spring semester. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 17 May 2026 | Graduation celebrations. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Memorial holiday. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Begins | 26 May 2026 | Summer courses start. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Observed | 3 July 2026 | Holiday observance. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 14 August 2026 | End of summer term. |
| 🍂 | First Day of Fall Semester Classes | 24 August 2026 | Fall term begins. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | Labor holiday. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break | 12 October 2026 | Mid-fall break. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 25 November 2026 | Thanksgiving start. |
| 🍽️ | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 29 November 2026 | Post-Thanksgiving resume. |
| ❄️ | Last Day of Fall Semester Classes | 11 December 2026 | Fall classes end. |
| 📘 | Fall Semester Final Exams | 14 December 2026start | Fall exams. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 19 December 2026 | Winter holiday break. |