Any Evergreen alumni? (Seattle, Olympia, Republic: to rent, home, dorms)

[SummerShi]

Any alumni, current students, or anyone with info about this college? I am very curious about the transfering into graduate school after attending such a nontraditional college. My plan is to get a master's in social welfare/social work. However, being a non-traditional student myself, Evergreen really appeals to me. So please share your knowledge about Evergreen, good and bad.

Thanks
Summer

[Ira500]

I went to Evergreen 30 years ago ( gulp!).
I'm glad I went there, but I recognize what some people who've gone there don't like about it....Also, from what I understand, it hasn't changed dramatically in 30 years.

The good stuff:
Great facilities, fairly small classes, a lot of very bright students and bright teachers, beautiful campus ( it has it's own beach!) in a pleasant small city, a place that nurtures creativity, and a place that lots of very successful people have come out of..Great mascot ( the geoduck clam)...

The bad:
You have to be pretty self motivated to succeed there. It is not a highly structured place. It's probably one of the most politically left of center places , which is neither good or bad, but if you're a vocal conservative Republican, you might feel out of place. There are a lot of ardent activists on campus, also neither bad nor good, but there are often folks protesting something or another.
It rains a lot. More than Seattle.....Some of the dorms can be heavy party scenes...

[SummerShi]

Ira- thanks ....did you go to graduate school?
As for the parties in the dorms, I won't be living in those. Been there, done that, am not doing it again. Surprising tidbit though, I wouldn't have imagined such. They seem to accept a lot of non-traditional students around my age, (36) and I prefer that. Also, like the small class size. Is Olympia an expensive area to rent?

SummerShi

[Ira500]

Ira- thanks ....did you go to graduate school?

No, I didn't, but I know a bunch of Evergreeners who went on to various graduate schools, and one who I attended Evergreenwith back then and then went back 20 yrs later to get his masters in public administration.
As far as rents, I guess it all depends on what you're used to. Rents and home prices are less expensive in Olympa than in Seattle, but not significantly so.
The West Side of Olympia is a great place to live if you're going to Evergreen.

[zenfull]

Saw this great talk on TED. It may be of interest to you. She's a teacher at Evergreen.


Nalini Nadkarni on conserving the canopy | Video on TED.com

[jojo7]

I am also researching this college with my son and came across this website and really liked what the students had to say about the college. Evergreen State College (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Summary, Student Opinion, Tuition, Application, Sports The reviews are very specific on why they liked Evergreen State and how they have benefited from this college. I hope you enjoy reading them.
I was also surprised to hear about the party scene at Evergreen State. My son and his friends have always heard the opposite. Interesting. I am sure your glad you don't have to deal with that scene anymore. It's one of the dreaded things parents have to think about when they send their kids off to college.

[SummerShi]

That was a great talk on TED. Speaks volumes about the ability to think out of the box.... I love treetop Barbie. Thanks for that link. Evergreen does have big appeal but I am worried I will be missing out on a "well rounded" education and therefore not be competitive with graduate schools. Which is why I was hoping to connect with some alumni.
JoJo - Thanks for that review link. I lived in dorms my first year of college and if you've raised your son to be responsible for his own actions, he will be fine. Despite not graduating with them, I am still friends with my roommates nearly 20 years later.

[Ira500]

I've got one friend who I attended Evergreen with who got a masters in education from the Bank Street School in New York, another friend who went on to get a Masters in journalism from Stanford, and another friend who got his masters in transportation planning from MIT.
So, while it might not be the most well rounded education at Evergreen, it doesn't seem like graduate schools hold that against you.

[Jake840]

Partying at Evergreen = Pabst and weed nothing to crazy.

[kanhawk]

A couple of views I took of The Evergreen State College today