Melinda
To me, the best thing about The Evergreen State College would have to be the personality of the school and, of course, the people. Being a part of a "green" community has really opened up and shared who I really am. Never before have I felt so accepted and excited to attend a school. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and they always seem to captivate me. With the unique atmosphere and aura of the campus, people who don't even attend the college come to enjoy the amazing aspects of the school.
Callie
The best thing about my school is the grading system, which is in the form of written evaluations, rather than letter grades. Professors speak directly about you, and you also have a chance to write an evaluation for yourself. My transcripts when I graduate will be really thick and less mathematical than others, but my education will never be boiled down to a number and letters.
Lisa
The Evergreen State College allows students to choose their own path; there aren't majors to apply to, no tests, no grades. This allows students to design their own degree. One quarter I studied organizational leadership and the next I studied the history of education in the US. My professors wrote evaluations at the end of each term explaining the projects I participated in and my learning; this is what made up my transcript.
Floral
The best thing about Evergreen is the passion. We don't recieve letter grades because everyone is evaluated based on their individual abilities and effort. It is not a competition, so students really have to try their hardest. It's apparent to the professors if you're holding back. Evergreen is truly a community of learners and students work alongside the professors. People are very focused on what they choose to study. People want to help newcomers understand their class material and become excited about it.
Sue
It allows me flexibility so it fits with my life which is important with work and a family. I am the sole support for 3 children and my husband so I must continue working full time. I have waited a long time for my turn to return to school so having it fit with these restrictions was most important.
Miss.
The people. Everybody is so different, inviting, and intelligent. I learn something new every day by mearly having a conversation with a stranger.
Brittany
My school allows students to feel like individuals yet still maintain friendships with people similar to them. It is a school that "makes you feel like a number" but you are noticed within the community. The staff are wonderful and are willing to help, even if you are not participating in any courses relating to their work. Resources are readily available with a library, computer lab, and Summit program. The environment is peaceful and easy to maintain a "noise-free" study area.
Sara
The potential for independent contracts & other alternative learning methods - they are very flexible and if what a student is looking for is not offered the school will help the student learn it in a different way.
Jillian
Evergreen really allows for creative thinking, for experimentation, liberation, and exploration. The collaborative effort amongst students is incredible and forces you to think independently and strongly, but also to listen to others and process information critically. Group discussions move quickly, rely on factual analysis but also leave room for hypothesis (as long as you can support it with facts!). The student body is diverse, opinionated, friendly, and open. Evergreen really makes you grow as a person--you have to in order to get credit. This is no place for passivity. It is active and engaging.
Caitlin
It is a small school, so if a student is struggling with their work, they can easily meet with their faculty to find another way to approach their studies. Students can take very interdisciplinary classes so even if you change your major from arts to science you will be satisfied with your courses. You really get what you put into your studies. Programs (classes) are graded through "evaluations" rather than a GPA, so if you slacked off, it isn't registered in a number, your teacher actually WRITES A PAGE about your performance in class.
Diana
If you want to be in the great outdoors and are VERY independant, Evergreen is perfect for you.