1st College Visit

Yesterday was Preview Day at Evergreen State College, so I took The Star on her first trip to check out a school. The result: a resounding "maybe...."

On the positive side: Programs. Evergreen offers interdisciplinary programs instead of classes. A program can last for 1-3 quarters and combines several different subjects taught by several faculty. It all fits together seamlessly which gives students the opportunity for off-campus and field study.

What? Okay, here's an example: The Ireland Program. Students have lectures on Irish history, seminars on Irish lit, try some Irish dance and learn Gaelic. And they spend the spring in ...wait for it...Ireland.

Or they have might have a Forest Ecology and Economics program in which the students learn about the life cycle of a tree, the economics of the soft wood lumber industry and the history of U.S.-Canadian trade tariffs. Fascinating.

On the negative side: moss. The campus was in a giant forest. Granted, it's February in the Pacific Northwest, but it was very Forks. The Star is a pale, pale girl. She needs sunlight and I'm concerned that Evergreen might not have enough of it.

Fortunately, she's just a sophomore and we have plenty of time to visit colleges.