Parents and Families

Be Part of Their Journey
Discover how your student will thrive at Evergreen

At Evergreen, 90% of our graduates are launched into careers, service, or graduate school within one year of graduation. Our students flourish because they don't just attend classes they immerse themselves in a community that nurtures their curiosity and prepares them for a rapidly changing world.

We know that Geoduck families are vital partners in a successful transition to college life. To support you, we invite you to explore our family resource, "First Years Away From Home: Letting Go and Staying Connected." This handbook is designed to help us partner together as your student finds their place at Evergreen.

First Years Away From Home (PDF, 5.7 MB)

In-Person
Parents & Family Orientation

Pre-Orientation

• September 19, 2026

New Student Orientation

• September 23, 2026
• September 24, 2026

Helping Your Student Stay on Track

We know there’s a lot to keep track of as your student prepares for life at Evergreen. To help you support them through every milestone, from housing applications to registration deadlines, we’ve gathered everything you need in one place.

Incoming Students

Academics & Academic Support

Evergreen is an excellent environment for academically-engaged students. Your student will have the opportunity to develop a custom learning pathway to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences, or Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree.

Like the world, we...

• Invent, instead of following well-worn paths:
  We continually create new ways to approach learning, taking students through Programs and Courses covering multiple subjects instead of separate classes
• Evolve, instead of settle:
  We know we can always find better ways, and we are excited to work toward them
• Focus, instead of major:
  We layer disciplines into individual expressions of scholarship, and prepare graduates for careers that haven’t been invented yet
• Learn from others, instead of flying solo:
  We work in teams from the science lab to the dorm room to the forests and beaches that surround us
• Evaluate, instead of grade:
  We use context and explanation to evaluate performance through narrative evaluations, rather than simple solitary letters
• Clarify, instead of confuse:
  By writing an Academic Statement, students learn to summarize and explain their complex academic career

All students have access to engaged and knowledgeable professional advisors, career advising, and specialized services to meet their needs.

Life Outside of the Classroom

Living on campus supports your student's success. Students who live in Campus Housing, as about three-quarters of first-year students do, perform better in class and create a rich social life. Students are not automatically assigned housing and there are some options to chose from.

 Your student can also participate in many different activities on campus. Student Clubs cover a range of artistic, cultural and social interests. The Costantino Recreation Center hosts Athletics Event, dance and exercise opportunities as well as access to other recreation activities. Students can also get engaged by working on the college radio station or newspaper.

We provide support opportunities for students from many backgrounds, including people of color, first generation, LGBTQ+,Veterans and more.

Affording an Evergreen Education

Tuition at Evergreen is the lowest in western Washington and a tremendous savings over private liberal arts colleges in Washington or beyond. We also offer financial aid, scholarships and a full range of grants and loans too, making college even more accessible and affordable.

Join Us On Campus

Parents and family are invited to any public events on our two campuses. In particular, you should definitely plan to attend Return to Evergreen, a two-day event designed for students, alumni, friends, and family to come and experience what Evergreen is all about.