1.  When I am learning something new for school, the first step I would PREFER to take is to

talk with other people about the ideas or skill and then read
read a book or listen to a tape and then think about the ideas or try the new skill
try figuring out the idea or skill by working on a project that I develop and then reading some information
watch a demonstration of the skill or listen to a lecture and then try a project or read
other

2.  When I read a book to prepare for a discussion for school, I MOST OFTEN

start at the beginning and read straight through
skim the book to get a sense of the major ideas and then write down questions I want to answer
skim the book for major ideas and then read the concluding sections
make a list of what I know and what I want to find out and then read
other

3.   When I am preparing for a discussion of a book for school, I MOST OFTEN

write summaries of what I know after I read
highlight as I read 
draw diagrams or pictures 
take notes while I am reading
list questions that haven’t been answered or points with which I disagree
other

4.My PREFERENCE about the size of a group for discussion in school is

it doesn’t matter - I can talk comfortably in any size group
talk initially in a small group and then in a larger group
I don't like to participate in discussion groups
other

5.  When I am working in a discussion group of 12 to 20 people in school, I PREFER

that everyone come with questions and ideas they want to discuss
that the faculty provide guidance about the topics for discussion
that the group set an agenda at the beginning of the discussion
other

6.   In group discussions about a book with 12 - 20 people, I PREFER

to share my feelings about, and reactions to, the book
to mainly listen to other people’s ideas
to participate in a conversation about the authors’ ideas or style
to participate in lively arguments
other

7.  When asked to do a task for school in a setting or method I DO NOT PREFER

I try to find ways to avoid it
I bite my tongue and do it anyway
I try to negotiate a different possibility
I sometimes enjoy taking a risk
other

8. Which of the following do you think best describes you as a learner in school?

I like to try to relate what I am learning to my own life and to learn new ideas through listening to others, reading, writing, and thinking.
I like to work on projects, try out new experiences, and figure out what is true and not true.
I like to figure out how new things relate to my own life by involving myself in art or music or community activities or projects.
I like to learn facts and concepts through reading reliable books and through working with knowledgeable people.
other

For the following, please provide brief responses.

9.   What would you like to know about the MIT program or about Evergreen?

10.   Are you planning on working while you go to school? If you are, how many hours a week do you plan to work?

11.    What roles can you play in a discussion group or in a small research group that will help everyone learn as much as possible?

12.   What are your strengths as a writer?

13. What kinds of help would you like in order to further develop your writing as a graduate student?

14. If you could choose any way you wanted to demonstrate what you had learned to a teacher or professor, what would you choose to do?

15.When you're not in school, what do you like to do?

16. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being low),

(a) how would you rate your math skills? 1 2 3 4 5

What are you basing this rating on?
 

(b) how would you rate your attitude about math? 1 2 3 4 5

(c) how would you rate your group process skills? 1 2 3 4 5

(d) how would you rate your knowledge of U.S. history from a multicultural perspective? 1 2 3 4 5

17. Do you dance, act, sing, write creatively, or play an instrument?  What?

18.  Are there any skills, abilities, or knowledge that you have that you would like to help your peers in the program learn?      If yes, what are they?

19.  Will child-care be an issue or problem for you?      Do you need information about child-care in Olympia?

20.  What do you need from the faculty and your peers to support your ability to learn and participate in this program?

21.  What are the most important questions you hope to answer by taking this program?\

22.   What do you think are the most valuable assets you bring to our learning community?

Please respond to the following question.  We will use this piece of writing to gain some initial understandings about you as a writer and a learner.  Please write your answer as an essay of between 300 and 500 words rather than as a list.

What do you see as the purpose of schools today in the United States? (Note that the space to write your response is larger than the space shown. It will scroll down as you type.