Evergreen vs Western Washington

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hey, </p>

<p>I need to decide if I want to go to WWU or Evergreen by May 1st, which, apparently, is this Sunday.</p>

<p>I visited them both this week, and I like both of them for different reasons.</p>

<p>There were more people at Evergreen that were like me (from what I saw/heard), and it seems to be a very self-directed style, which I like.</p>

<p>plus there was a drum circle</p>

<p>However, it's small (4,000), and I'm skeptical as to how effective and self-directed the "programs" actually are. I'm also concerned about the quality of other students.. even though I like hippies and am sometimes accused of being one, I don't want to be surrounded by them, especially "burn outs" whose whole philosophy/identity is just based on what image they want to portray. But not everyone I saw there looked like that, so that's good.</p>

<p>WWU is more of the size I want, and I like Bellingham more than Olympia, and I liked the campus itself more, the "feel" was very comfortable.</p>

<p>However, it seemed like I wouldn't identify with the students as much over there, or if I did, I might jeopardize what I want to do with my life (maybe convince myself to do a major I don't want to do.. I don't know.. The students seemed a lot like my high school, which is fine I guess, I don't have any trouble making friends over here, but I feel that if I met more peple like me, I would maybe define myself better or something... like right now.. if I wanted to go to black and white photographs with someone and then discuss them, I wouldn't be able to find anyone to go with me, but I'm hoping that wherever I go to college I'll be able to find people to. OF course, being with different kinds of people can influence you for the better, and perhaps make me more unique/Idon'tknowwhat</p>

<p>I'm rambling now.</p>

<p>Anyways, anyone have any insight/opinions/advice for me? </p>

<p>Oh yeah, I plan to major in writing or literature, but I also want to experiment with art and photography and movies </p>

<p>thanks</p>

2

<p>Western is big enough to find a group of people who think like you, so I don't think that's a disqualifying factor. While I have <em>heard of</em> people who did all four years at Evergreen, I don't know any personally who didn't transfer out after one or two years; I know lots of people who've been very happy at Western--and have lots of former students currently there.</p>

<p>It is my impression that Western has more intellectual rigor, and that Evergreen requires more of a self-starter mentality.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>

3

<p>Being an Olympian, I know lots of Evergreen students and graduates. Yes it does require a self directed student to get the most out of Evergreen. Yes it has lots of "hippies" and activists of all kinds, but it also has older students. I don't think of it as having a lot of burn outs, at least that has not been my experience of greeners. My D took a course there last year and loved it. She has friends there now who are very happy.
I know folks at WWU and it seems to be like every other state university which is either good or bad depending on your perspective.</p>

4

<p>I don't know anything about Evergreen, but Bellingham is a nice small town, yet only about 45 minutesd from the big city- Vancouver, an awesome place to visit/shop/hang out/see shows & concerts, etc.</p>

5

<p>D is a sophomore at Evergreen. TESC has an interesting mix of students: 32% are age 25 and older. My D, who has a VERY untraditional high school background, enjoys learning with older students. They bring a wealth of different experiences to academics.
Her best friend is a 29 year old mother of two.</p>

<p>D is definitely NOT a hippie. Yes, there are probably more weird kids at TESC than at some other schools, but there are plenty of extremely bright, self-directed ones. As at any school, you'll find your niche and friends with whom you have something in common.</p>

<p>Evergreen is strong in art/photography/film. Because there are no general education requirements, you can concentrate on your passion and create your own programs if you don't see one you llike in the catalog. </p>

<p>From the tone of your post, I think you'd be comfortable at Evergreen.
One thing for sure: the out-of-state population will be much higher than at Western Washington. Evergreen has a broad appeal. Last year, D's dorm mates included a girl from Iowa who wanted to be a cartoonist (think Matt Groening, an alum). I also met students from Florida, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.</p>