<p>Hello,
I am looking for detailed info on Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA for my D. We studied the web site and the article in Loren Pope's book, but have not found other sources. </p>
<p>Specifically:
1) are their "programs" well-structured and follow a curriculum, or are they open-ended discussions that go wherever the students take them?
2) how difficult is it to create a major?
3) how difficult is it to graduate in 4 years?
4) we've heard it has a strong drug culture. How true is it?
5) the average student age seems to be around 22. Why is that? How does it impact the campus dynamics?
6) how does the graduate's "major subject" knowledge compare with that from a traditional school with a traditional major?
Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>We have a close friend whose son attends Evergreen. He did so right after HS. He originally went because he was interested in art, after two years he has decided to study law as a result of one of his "programs of study." Needless to say, he loves it. He claims not to be into drugs, and likes Olympia. He is on track to graduate in 4 years. He loves the school. His family is impressed with the breadth of his education and how much work he willing puts into school.</p>
<p>The program of study is indeed quite different. The focus is on extensive study in a particular area or "program" each semester. See: <a href="http://www.evergreen.edu/about/programpages.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.evergreen.edu/about/programpages.htm</a> No grades are given, credit is contingent on completing work at high levels of accomplishment. Professors provide written evaluations, which are included in a student's file. Hope this helps a little.</p>
<p>You can PM me. I live in Olympia (and have for almost two decades). I hire Evergreen grads among others. I know lots of the faculty, and travel in Evergreen circles, and had a d. take a year's worth of study in ethnobotanical medicine.</p>
<p>For the right student, there isn't a better place on the planet.</p>
<p>Mini has lots of knowledge about Evergreen - take him up on it</p>
<p>Evergreen was my oldests first choice school for several years- we know quite a few people who are alums and very successful- speak highly of it.</p>
<p>Eventually however- since we both felt she needed more external structure- and that she was interested at the time, more in lab related sciences rather than environmental sciences which I think is one of Evergreens strenghts, she ended up at a school that had some similarities, that you may be more familiar with, being that it is in SE Portland ;)</p>
<p>Yes, structure is the biggest concern, as well as possible graduate school acceptance with no grades.</p>
<p>D. had lots of bad luck with teachers and never became motivated academically, although she is very bright. She is happy at her part-time computer-oriented job in a professional work environment. High school just feels dumb to her. I am not sure what she'll feel like in college.</p>