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Introduction
One doesn’t need to attend a Big Shot school to go far in life. An
unknown student by the name of Harrison Ford–undoubtedly one of the very best
actors within cinema and theater history–delivered pizzas on Friday nights
while developing a taste for acting at Ripon College. Ford is. Some polls have
him ranked #1 of all time. Michael Tinkham studied basic physics at Ripon and
went on to be a leading superconductor researcher. Al Jarreau was one on the
very best Jazz musicians of the 20th and 21st Centuries. He was another
outstanding alumnus of Ripon College. There are countless professional
athletes, physicians, attorneys, college professors, successful business people
and many other alumni in government and the arts from Ripon College. Ripon
graduates have made a meaningful difference in our society. Ripon College has been with us for over 150 years. Located in Ripon,
Wisconsin, the campus' beauty and scenic surroundings draws 90% of its students
to live on campus their entire four years. Therefore Ripon students don’t need
to have the college car. In fact students are awarded a Trek bike on day one
for not bringing their car to campus. This is just the tip of the iceberg for
Ripon College. Superb academics with small class size, well known athletics, active
college life including Greeks and great career training awaits the Ripon
College freshman. There are 1100 college students at Ripon and with just a
little bit of effort on your part, you will know almost everyone on campus
after a week or two. You are not alone and are highly meaningful to the student
body. Ripon College may be for you as an incoming frosh. Think again before you
sign on for college elsewhere. Let’s get after it!
Academics
It’s all here at Ripon. Majors include theater, music, arts, business,
economics, communications, education, journalism, leadership studies, science
majors, psychology, language, political science, mathematics, computer science,
environmental studies, military science (ROTC), religion, anthropology or
history. Ninety-eight percent of the professors have PHDs. Professors have been
known to assist study in the dorms for special students. Class sizes are some
of the smallest in the United States. Nationally 40% of premed students obtain
medical school entrance from college. At Ripon the premed acceptance rates is
80%. This represents one of the highest premed acceptance rates in the United
States.
Rhodes scholars have come from Ripon. When you really review Ripon College it
is ideal for someone who can live without a big time college football or hoop
school. A Ripon College student typically desires all of college life including
highly ranked academics, sports and arts participation, and needed college
socialization. One survey ranked Ripon’s faculty as high as 4th in the United
States within the past five years. Many surveys rank Ripon high in academics,
professional achievement after graduation and overall quality of a small
liberal arts college.
Professors at Ripon College are people who are attracted to Ripon for its
excellent academics, small class size, personalized student teaching and quaint
community with a beautiful countryside. Ripon College faculty want all students
to succeed, and will go the extra mile to make it happen. Ripon College’s
faculty brings out the best in its students.
Sports 
Roughly one-third of Ripon students compete in Division III NCAA sports.
Two-thirds of Ripon College students participate in intramurals. Few students
are sitting around. Frosh use that free Trek bike for traveling the extensive
Wisconsin bike trails (best in the United States). Professors also have been
known to bike with students in cycling clubs. All the major conference sports
are at Ripon. NCAA sports travel is minimized due to the Midwest conference
having Div III participating schools nearby. Many Ripon athletes are all
conference in sports and academics. A healthy lifestyle is encouraged by
faculty, administration, alumni and peers. Ripon is highly competitive in all
NCAA Division III sports and has excellent athletic facilities.
College Life
Ripon has a great student union with concerts, speakers, great food and
socialization. Students who need some background noise for study may prefer the
Union. The library has quiet areas and there are additional dorm and classroom
areas for study. Ripon has students from all over the United States and
especially Wisconsin. Ripon encourages its students to be active on weekends
and participate in academic and social events. Though the community is small,
there are some superb pizza parlors and other restaurants which are reasonably
priced for college students. Some of the Wisconsin students travel home on
weekends, but this is common among virtually all colleges. Ripon isn’t
considered a “commuter” college. An occasional nearby Packer game is a real
treat for some of the student body.
Special Facts
Retail total cost is $38,000 per year. Ninety percent of students obtain
tuition assistance from loans to partial or complete scholarships. Travel
abroad is offered in many disciplines. An advantage over a large school is that
Ripon actually cares about its students’ success after graduation. The career
advisory staff is highly engaged to assist students in succeeding in all walks
of life. Resumes, interviews, job searches, and detailed professor, alumni and
administration letters of recommendation will support students seeking follow
on employment. Over 90% of Ripon students work or attend graduate school post
graduation.
Why Go to Ripon 
Scholarship, stewardship, integrity, diversity and service are common
qualities of Ripon College graduates. The faculty and administration are quite
adept at assisting college kids into early adult life. Many great professional
opportunities await Ripon students after graduation. Ripon is unique in that it
is not in a large city, yet has an amazing student body that doesn’t need an
urban environment. College students are attracted to Ripon because of its
uniqueness in being a small college that is also situated in a small
community of 8,000. Buildings on this beautiful, well kept 250 acre campus are
old and elegant on the outside. Within the walls of these older restored campus
buildings are all the modern conveniences to include computers, high tech labs
and modern classrooms. Most professors don’t need microphones because the class
sizes are so small. While Ripon does not feature any nationally ranked Division
I teams competing for the BCS or Final Four, if you loves sports, the school’s
athletic teams not only inspire fans, but desire the full participation of the
student body. The hoop TEAM is known for raining in threes. Football has its
rivalries within the Midwest Conference. The swim team is highly competitive.
Ripon is also one of the few colleges in the United States to have a
competitive cycling team. In short, it’s all here at Ripon College.
Bottom Line
The primary reason Sportademics.com recommends Ripon is that the school
nurtures CONFIDENCE among its students. The faculty and administration
encourage academic excellence, inquiry and lifelong learning. We feel that many
students have the ability and desire to succeed in college; yet, if their
college environment is a bit out of kilter, more than a few freshmen will not
succeed. Small details and intricacies matter within a college kid’s life. Attending
Ripon may allow you to be a successful orthopedist, lawyer, art instructor or
entrepreneur. The CONFIDENCE gained by caring faculty and peers in a tough
chemistry class of 15–25 students can allow you to advance into a science
profession. The board displays in the science hallway point to successful
physicians, veterinarians, dentists, etc. who have all had their CONFIDENCE to
succeed begin in these small intimate classes. A shy Harrison Ford obtained the
CONFIDENCE to become a superb actor in these small Ripon College classes.
Again, look here before you sign on elsewhere. It’s all here at Ripon College!
(Photos courtesy of Ripon College)
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