A better idea of Reed

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a bit confused. I am interested in Reed College but its low ranking makes it hard to convince my parents that it could possibly be worth 40k a year compared to my state school, which is pretty competitive. </p>

<p>But then I read this on Wikipedia:</p>

<p>Reed has also gained notice for refusing to participate in the annual US News & World Report college rankings, because Reed "actively questions the methodology and usefulness of college rankings."[4] Reed further claims that US News has depended on limited data provided on the College's Web site to rank Reed, a practice which Reed claims is incomplete and has caused it to be ranked lower than it would be otherwise. Reed President Colin Diver wrote a piece in the October 2005 issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine defending the decision to refuse to participate in the rankings. [5]</p>

<p>Reed has produced the second-highest number of Rhodes scholars for any liberal arts college—31—as well as over 50 Fulbright Scholars, over 60 Watson Fellows, and two MacArthur ("Genius") Award winners. A very high proportion of Reed graduates go on to earn Ph.D.s, particularly in the sciences, history, political science, and philosophy. Reed is third in percentage of its graduates who go on to earn PhDs in all disciplines, after only Caltech and Harvey Mudd. Reed is first in this percentage in biology.</p>

<p>So where should Reed be ranked? What schools would be considered peers to Reed College?</p>

2

<p>Other liberal-arts-type schools, like Wesleyan, maybe.</p>

3

<p>If you want to work your butt off in college, than from what I've read, Reed is the place for you. Be careful what you read on wikipedia, remember, it's an encylopedia that ANYONE can edit. Also, try to convince your parents that the rankings are completely biased, arbitrary and stupid. You can't just rank schools based on sat scores, graduation rate, etc.. In my mind, the rankings are designed to keep the ivy league schools on top. Also, remember, the rankings don't take into account location, activities, quality of life on campus, etc... All that being said, I would say look at some of the good LACS.</p>

4

<p>Most people could consider Reed a top 10 LAC as far respect goes. They are agianst the ranking of colleges so they don't give USNWR data</p>

5

<p>Thx Cesky that's the kind of answer I was looking for. I figured Reed probably ranks up there with Wesleyan/Amherst/Williams/Bowdoin but the rankings screw everything up. I mean, when you see a school in the 40s it can be confusing.</p>

6

<p>Naw, Reed probably isn't as high as Amherst and Williams. Remember <em>Reed</em> claims the incomplete data causes it to be ranked lower. It's possible that under the criteria given, it doesn't do very well at all. I'd say that Reed would be somwhere 10-15.</p>

7

<p>Reed is probably the best LAC in the country.</p>

8

<p>If you want to work hard, Reed is one of the best LAC in the nation. Something like 31 Rhodes Scholars and the second most students going on to get PH.D in the nation only proves the point.</p>