This presentation focuses on impressions and findings resulting in activities in the Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning Project, which is briefly described. Comments are made about nontraditional programs in higher education that provide opportunities and assessment for experiential learning particularly and centers on five topics: (1) Structure and proliferation of experiential learning programs; (2) Emergence of student as advocate; (3) Characteristics of students enrolled in such programs; (4) Focus of experiential education programs; and (5) Defining criteria of success for such programs. Suggestions are offered for improvement of programs especially as they might relate to student characteristics and eventual success in the programs. (Author/RC)