On Monday, March 31, my college search ended in Ripon, Wisconsin. Before telling about this day, a little background is necessary. After narrowing the college list down to St. Norbert’s, Carroll and Ripon Colleges, I went online to research thoroughly the ups and downs of each college. As I went through the Ripon College website, I had a glowing feeling welling up inside me. I began to feel as if I was already attending the school.
I prefer a smaller, more intimate environment compared to a large, impersonal university, so the hometown feel of Ripon was alluring. I checked up on what the current students were studying, and they all seemed to be double majoring. This gave me the confidence to declare that I want to study both psychology and religion. Further investigation of the college revealed every other opportunity I could desire. If a club did not exist, students were encouraged to create it. If you wanted to get out in nature, the prairie is a hike away; if you longed for a night out in the town, it was only a block away.
Back to March 31. I rise up early, eat breakfast, and prepare all my college paperwork. My mom and dad join me as we drive thirty minutes to Ripon. The college is hosting an Accepted Student Day. Throughout the event, the school helps high school seniors peek into the life of a college student. We pull into the middle of campus, and find our way to the Great Hall to register.
Awaiting us is a welcoming party that hands us a bag filled with Ripon trinkets and information about the day. In front of us is a hall filled with tables that are decked out with silverware. On top of each table is a sign indicating a field of study. We make our way to the Psychology table, and anticipate the start of the program. The Vice President gets up, welcomes everyone to the school, and introduces President David Joyce. There are more speeches with which I will not bore you.
Finally, I break off and go to an upper level class entitled “Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective” while my parents take a tour of the town of Ripon. I am enthralled by the topic--fundamental Islam in relationship to the U.S.--and I feel like I could jump right into the discussion. After an hour and a half, lunchtime is upon us.
I venture downstairs to the Dining area; a buffet table is filled with salad toppings, sandwiches, fruit and soup. During our munching and crunching, a Ripon junior gets up and tells us about his experiences at the school. The kid is running for alderman of the town district which contained the school. After dining, we have one hour to use as we see fit. We decide to go to the bookstore where they are holding a cookie-tasting contest.
Once there, we get some coffee from the Starbucks store and buy some clothes with which I can display my new school pride.
We then decide to go to the Admission Center to be led around campus on a guided tour. During the beginning of the tour, rain and wind start to blow around and mess with my mother’s hair. This is never a good situation.
The student guide, named Angela, takes us to the building that contains the Psychology department. The more ancient rooms are in the basement; we question if the lack of windows leads to an effect on the mood of the students while they are down there. The student replies that testing that idea would be a beneficial experiment for the psych students.
With time remaining before the final reception, we head down to lower campus where the sports center and fine arts building are contained. Because of the dreary weather, a van transports us the moderate distance to our destination. The highlight of the art center is a beautiful gallery for displays; the highlight of the athletic complex is the regulation size swimming pool contained in a humid, heat-stroke-inducing room.
Our tour ends, and we continue with the last leg of the day. At the Terrace hangout is another buffet. This time the spread includes pizza, chips, meatballs, and veggies. The room becomes packed and a raffle drawing begins. The prizes are Ripon hoodies and two one-hundred-dollar gift certificates to the school store. Sadly, I do not win one morsel.
The completion of the college search is a huge relief. I can finally start to fall in love with a new school and not have to worry about my future for the next four years. I know that Ripon will take great care of me. Their motto is comforting--“Faith in Christ is knowledge.” I was looking for an outright Christian school, but I think the Christian foundations of Ripon will support me well. Let the Wisconsin motto--“Forward”--be true.";"On Monday, March 31, my college search ended in Ripon, Wisconsin. Before telling about this day, a little background is necessary. After narrowing the college list down to St. Norbert’s, Carroll and Ripon Colleges, I went online to research thoroughly the ups and downs of each college. As I went through the Ripon College website, I had a glowing feeling welling up inside me. I began to feel as if I was already attending the school.
I prefer a smaller, more intimate environment compared to a large, impersonal university, so the hometown feel of Ripon was alluring. I checked up on what the current students were studying, and they all seemed to be double majoring. This gave me the confidence to declare that I want to study both psychology and religion. Further investigation of the college revealed every other opportunity I could desire. If a club did not exist, students were encouraged to create it. If you wanted to get out in nature, the prairie is a hike away; if you longed for a night out in the town, it was only a block away.
Back to March 31. I rise up early, eat breakfast, and prepare all my college paperwork. My mom and dad join me as we drive thirty minutes to Ripon. The college is hosting an Accepted Student Day. Throughout the event, the school helps high school seniors peek into the life of a college student. We pull into the middle of campus, and find our way to the Great Hall to register.
Awaiting us is a welcoming party that hands us a bag filled with Ripon trinkets and information about the day. In front of us is a hall filled with tables that are decked out with silverware. On top of each table is a sign indicating a field of study. We make our way to the Psychology table, and anticipate the start of the program. The Vice President gets up, welcomes everyone to the school, and introduces President David Joyce. There are more speeches with which I will not bore you.
Finally, I break off and go to an upper level class entitled “Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective” while my parents take a tour of the town of Ripon. I am enthralled by the topic--fundamental Islam in relationship to the U.S.--and I feel like I could jump right into the discussion. After an hour and a half, lunchtime is upon us.
I venture downstairs to the Dining area; a buffet table is filled with salad toppings, sandwiches, fruit and soup. During our munching and crunching, a Ripon junior gets up and tells us about his experiences at the school. The kid is running for alderman of the town district which contained the school. After dining, we have one hour to use as we see fit. We decide to go to the bookstore where they are holding a cookie-tasting contest.
Once there, we get some coffee from the Starbucks store and buy some clothes with which I can display my new school pride.
We then decide to go to the Admission Center to be led around campus on a guided tour. During the beginning of the tour, rain and wind start to blow around and mess with my mother’s hair. This is never a good situation.
The student guide, named Angela, takes us to the building that contains the Psychology department. The more ancient rooms are in the basement; we question if the lack of windows leads to an effect on the mood of the students while they are down there. The student replies that testing that idea would be a beneficial experiment for the psych students.
With time remaining before the final reception, we head down to lower campus where the sports center and fine arts building are contained. Because of the dreary weather, a van transports us the moderate distance to our destination. The highlight of the art center is a beautiful gallery for displays; the highlight of the athletic complex is the regulation size swimming pool contained in a humid, heat-stroke-inducing room.
Our tour ends, and we continue with the last leg of the day. At the Terrace hangout is another buffet. This time the spread includes pizza, chips, meatballs, and veggies. The room becomes packed and a raffle drawing begins. The prizes are Ripon hoodies and two one-hundred-dollar gift certificates to the school store. Sadly, I do not win one morsel.
The completion of the college search is a huge relief. I can finally start to fall in love with a new school and not have to worry about my future for the next four years. I know that Ripon will take great care of me. Their motto is comforting--“Faith in Christ is knowledge.” I was looking for an outright Christian school, but I think the Christian foundations of Ripon will support me well. Let the Wisconsin motto--“Forward”--be true.";"On Monday, March 31, my college search ended in Ripon, Wisconsin. Before telling about this day, a little background is necessary. After narrowing the college list down to St. Norbert’s, Carroll and Ripon Colleges, I went online to research thoroughly the ups and downs of each college. As I went through the Ripon College website, I had a glowing feeling welling up inside me. I began to feel as if I was already attending the school.
No comments:
Post a Comment