The Evergreen State College Top Questions

Someone who is conservative, who wants to be a part of a university, who doesn't like cultural diversity. If someone cannot be self-led, can't handle a debate, and doesn't know how to work in a group setting, this isn't the school for them. The campus is small, so if the person likes large campuses this too is a reason not to attend.

Evergreen is very self-motivated. The faculty members are amazing and super supportive but the work you do and the services available on-campus will only do you good if you take it upon yourself to get work done and go in to ask for help when it's needed. Students who need to be reminded to get their work done or be prompted to see an advisor won't succeed at Evergreen. There are so many cool things we offer here that students who never step outside of their dorm sometimes never realize how good they have it.

I myself am probably in the demographic of people who should not attend this school. Nontraditionally aged white males have to be fairly open-minded and able to spend most of their time alone or else they should pick a different school. Racism is minimal but agism exists.

People who are not willing to commit to a high level of reading and written work in lieu of tests should attend a more traditional exam based University. Additionally, those who want a highly specialized or targeted degree would be out of place at Evergreen. To be comfortable at Evergreen Socially you should be able accepting of those with alternative lifestyles and ideologies -- including environmentalism that sometimes borders of militance. Finally, be aware that there is a strong emphasis on seminar (book discussions) and presentations, so you must learn to be comfortable speaking.

Anyone who: wants a highly specialized or focused degree, is unwilling/uncomfortable working in group settings, is opposed to seminar and academic debate, is uncomfortable with those who live/practice alternative lifestyles, is uninterested or unconscious about environmental sustainability, is too conservative (both politically and socially), or unwilling to accept highly diverse and open opinions would not be a good fit for Evergreen.

Freeloaders who just try to get through college, so they can secure themselves a job; who don't talk to people; who don't come to class even though they can afford the books and can read the material in time; who don't even go to parties, or events where they can feel comfortable and make friends with the Evergreen community. If it was possible for such a person to exist, he shouldn't come here, but he probably should come here anyway, because Evergreen accepts anyone, and if any college could change him, it would be this one.

People who are not self-motivated/directed.

The type of perso that wouldn't really want to be at this school must be close-minded. Extremely close-minded to racism, to politics, to economics, to gender, to power, to privilege, and to people. It is very hard for me to think that someone who is close minded can actually succeed here. At this school, everyone is building community in one way or another, and with that, you learn about people and learn who they are. I don't think close minded people would dig that.

A person who has a closed mind and is undriven.

Someone who is conservative or who likes to do things by the books, or who gets annoyed by people who don't like to do things traditionally (or gets annoyed by the hippie type). Also someone who likes to party a LOT wouldn't find any frat type parties here. People who have an aversion to marijuana.