The Evergreen State College Top Questions

Visit any school you plan to attend. Make sure you get a chance to speak with students and advisors of the college. Don't allow money to keep you out of the school of your dreams.

The campus life and the feeling of the university where you attend will be your new home and you need to make sure that you are happy and comfortable. This is a big factor when your at school because it can set the tone for your college experience. Be sure to check the class availability and times that they are offered because they can change, and make sure that there are classes that apply to what you want to do in life post graduation.

Students, more so than parents need to know if they can work with the schortcomings of schools when looking for the righ school for thier situation. A great way to do that is to find what causes most students to drop out. If many students drop out of a school of interest becasue of poor financial aid, is money an issue? If many students drop out due to season depression because they arnt used to rainy weather year long, can you survive it, are you from that area? Questions like these do not directly focus on the acedcemic issues of schools but often when looking for the perfect school you've already narrowed your options down. these are the questions that never get asked but can make or break a students educational experience and opportunities thereafter.

.

Growing up in a small, conservative town, I always had the desire to get free. I wanted to get out of my town, meet new people, and start over fresh in a new place. Leaving my small town was the best thing i ever did. Evergreen State College was the best decision ive ever made. for me the most important part of fitting in at college and making the most of my experience was finding a core group of friends. Being on the soccer team helped me to find my friends early on. also i had upperclassmen to help make me comfortable in my new setting. once i had my friends i new life would be much easier. communication was also key to making the best of my college experience. talking with professors, academic advising, and many other services helped me to feel comfortable and part of a community. so my advice to new students is get out there and make friends quick. Be yourself and be unique. communicate with everyone!! Mostly, dont be scared to get noticed!

I found the book, "Colleges that change lives" and that made all the difference. I hated high school, I did reasonably well, but I was ready for a change from the assembly line aspect of traditional education and that book opened up my eyes to several schools that would probably have been perfect fits for me if I had not chosen Evergreen.

As important it is to find a school with name and national recognition. Think about what careers or subject matters you are interested in learning about. See if your school offers them and how flexible the school is in your academic explorations. Check out the facilities, geographical and social environment and food. Look into each school's additional resources and activities, see if they have departments and people to help your academically and emotionally if you may ever need it. Think academics first, but the consider the social climate and get a feel for how comfortable you would be walking around campus or trying new student groups, etc. And don't be afraid to talk to people! Let college admissions counselors know you're interested in their college and get them to get you! Believe you're a good candidate for their school and they will believe it too, that's how you get nice scholarship offers.

Find a school in a difrent swtate with a diffrent culture.

Parents: Guide your child in the process and try to have them think and feel out what would be right. Don't let them be lazy and just "get accepted alrite I'll go" mentality, this is an incredibly important oppurtunity for your child. Also do not force them into a school because you think you need to model them after some kind of image you have in mind. It is likely not going to have the intended result and will probably do more harm than good. It is a process of both parties deciding what they want to do and what they can afford to do, be resilient in your views but ultimately it is going to be their decision. Kids: Do your research and form your own understanding of what you want out of college. Use resources such as the internet, The Princeton Review, Newsweek's list, etc. to see what's out their and what you can achieve. Be realistic in your goals and stand up for yourself by presenting facts to your parents and show them you have spent time and effort on deciding your own future.

Make sure your research in choosing a school is thorough, because you could be stuck going to a college that isn't right for you. Not all schools are the same. Go and visit, sit in on a class, maybe even stay the night. You won't know if you like it or not until you try it.

Both parents and students should expect the unexpected, and most importantly save money! College debt is terrible, save save save!

Visit on a non visit day and talk to regular student and not just the selected ones by the university.

Ask yourself why you want to go to college, it should be only to continue and progress in the fight for knowlege, love and wisdom. Pick a place that is sustainable and can teach you how to survive in this crazy world. Follow your heart and study your passions, never give up your dreams. Pick a place with internship, study abroad and individual study options, all are genuanlly important to a good college experience. Don't rush things or break the bank, live well and know your financial limits. You can not work and study full time at the same time, it is an injustice to your learning and pointless of your time. Visit the college and talk to students with similer intereasts, walk the campus and see the town. Does it feel like home? The Evergreen State College is my home, Go Geo-Ducks!

My advice is to the students. Don't listen to "them". It's not about prestige. It's not about the weather, it's not about the name, it's not about making the most money. It's not about going to a "good school" and getting a degree so you can infiltrate the ever-growing job market. It's about loving what you do. If your passion is becoming a doctor and that means you would absolutely love to go to Harvard Medical School, then do it. If your passion is Botany and that means you go to Evergreen State College to study the plants of the Pacific Northwest, and then decide once you're there that studying basket weaving is really what you're in love with, but then you realize that you just want to write poetry all day every day, then that's what you do. And that's what you love. And know that it's probably going to change at least 15 times during your life, but hey. At least you're smiling and happy. Feel those tugs on your heartstrings and follow wherever they're a-pullin'.