Ripon College

 What impressed me most during my visit to tiny (just under 1000 students) Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, was the faculty.  Beyond teaching students, they make connections in many others ways - by coaching club sports, mentoring students during internships and acting as career counselors.  There is a lack of pretension throughout the community that begins with the students and spreads all the way to the President, who teaches a class, has a weekly radio show and advises the lacrosse team.  Everyone seems to know everyone else and it is difficult for a student to fall through the cracks.  First year students are require to take a First Year Studies course which provides an introduction to the liberal arts.  Learning is kept as "hands-on" as possible and the Maymester, a three week short course period in May, provides an opportunity for off-campus exploration.  The faculty works hard to connect their liberal arts college to careers through internships and short course offerings.  Seniors are required to complete a capstone project in their major.

Ripon is 2 hours from Chicago and 1 1/2 hours from Milwaukee but most students stay put on the weekends.  The town of Ripon is not large and the college and student government put significant effort into organizing events and activities on campus.  Laser tag in the Library tonight anyone?  Inner tube water polo? Students are required to live on campus all four years.  Ripon has full-time coaches for each sports team and a thriving theatre program (Harrison Ford and Spencer Tracy are alums) open to all students.  Honestly, though, Ripon seems like a perfect place for a wholesome student who likes good, clean fun rather than a raucous party scene.  Approximately 12% of the student body is of color and 5% is international.

Ripon has a rolling admission process and students can apply after 9/15.  The college tries to meet 100% of student financial need and they have come close in recent years.  Most students are from Wisconsin and neighboring states (80%).

If you are looking for a college free of urban distractions, filled with friendly professors eager to help you reach your academic and career goals and want to surround yourself with the wholesomeness of the Midwest, be sure to check out Ripon.