Chances for Reed?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
1

<p>Colleges **
***Reed College-#1!
Johns Hopkins
University of Chicago
New York University
Swarthmore
Bard
In-state safety schools
**Info*
Half Chinese, half white. Fluent in Mandarin. Lived in Taiwan for several years.
**GPA **UW 3.72 W 4.05
**Rank **Top 10%
Full IB Diploma Candidate. Most rigorous curriculum at my school.</p>

<p>Senior year courses IB Physics 1 & 2, IB Chem 2, Anatomy and Phys, IB Calculus, IB Modern World History, IB English.</p>

<p>I am taking two online courses at the local community college; History of Western Art and Business Law(BUS 225)
In addition, I am self-studying micro and macro economics.</p>

<p>SAT 2000 CR:640 M:710 W:650 (essay:12)</p>

<p>Subject tests Lit: 590 US His: 630 Spanish:590 [I know...HORRIBLE]
I am taking subjects tests again, but this time in Biology(self study), literature and Math 2 and working hard to get over 750.</p>

<p>*IB Exams *
Spanish SL - 5
Psychology SL - 5
Planned: History of the Americas HL, Math studies SL, English HL, Physics HL</p>

<p>**AP Exams(planned) **Micro and Macro economics(self study), one other self-study, not sure yet.</p>

<p>EC's
Boy Scouts:Eagle Scout. Myriad of leadership positions. Emphasis on leadership, service and outdoor adventure.
Speech and Debate: Degree of Excellence. Model UN. Student Congress.
Varsity Ski Team
Volunteered at local museum(90 hrs). Emphasis on science, leadership and marketing.
Piano(classical, baroque, theory)
Thespians
High Five Challenge TV Game Show. My competition will be aired on TV.
Volunteering at Oregon Health and Science University.
Studied abroad over summer in Mexican language, politics and culture college.</p>

<p>Awards
Eagle Scout
Rotary Award IB Theory of Knowledge
Varsity Letters
Piano Syllabus Level 5
Degree of Distinction for Speech and Debate
Certificate of Initial Mastery
Honors School
Full IB candidate, AP Scholars candidate ( I'm self studying three AP exams)</p>

<p>Employment
Busser at Italian restaurant. 15 hours a week. Saving up for college.
Web developer for my dad's business.</p>

<p>My numbers may not be the strongest, but my recs are strong, three teachers and one counselor. One is by the IB coordinator. Essay is strong too. For schools that require writing/research supplements, I am submitting my IB extended essay which is on the neurochemistry behind psychedelic experiences such as LSD, psilocybin, etc(Is that too quirky of a topic? I know Johns Hopkins did a study on this.). I visited the beautiful campus and had an awesome interview. </p>

<p>Why Reed
Reed is the type of school where students learn for the sake of learning. Students are encouraged to take classes outside of their major in order to broaden their field of knowledge. Students are able to form strong relationships with professors due to small class sizes. Reed emphasizes learning, not obtaining the A. There is a lot of intrinsic ambition. Classes are interesting, including one of the best Chinese classics programs in the West. There are also research opportunities at Oregon Health and Science University. I also love the classics and am excited for Humanities 110. I know its expensive, but I am applying to a TON of outside scholarships and am currently working a lot. I am considering taking a gap year to work in Taiwan and save up money in addition to reuniting with family and travel around East Asia. </p>

<p>I want to apply ED to Reed(deadline is 12/20. The only thing keeping me is retaking the SAT subject tests. Should I apply ED? Or are the subject tests really important?</p>

2

<p>By your numbers, courses, and ECs I think you have a decent chance, but
[quote]
Why Reed
Reed is the type of school where students learn for the sake of learning. Students are encouraged to take classes outside of their major in order to broaden their field of knowledge. Students are able to form strong relationships with professors due to small class sizes. Reed emphasizes learning, not obtaining the A. There is a lot of intrinsic ambition. Classes are interesting, including one of the best Chinese classics programs in the West. There are also research opportunities at Oregon Health and Science University.

[/quote]
says nothing about why you want to attend (it does describe Reed, and implies that you like these features).</p>

<p>The advantage of applying ED vs. hoping for higher test scores? Maybe someone else can say; I don't know.</p>

3

<p>What vossron said. I also question this sentence: "There is a lot of intrinsic ambition." I'd say that while Reedies may have goals, displays of "ambition" are not a Reed thing. Your comments are more about what you think the school is like, and less about why you think you're a good fit for the school -- it sounds, honestly, like you cut and paste the description from a book about colleges. </p>

<p>I'm not trying to be harsh. I think, however, that's important to really do soul-searching about it. The "Why Reed?" essay isn't about why Reed is a good school, it's about why Reed and <em>you</em> are a GREAT match -- about the unique combination that you and the school make, in some ways.</p>

4

<p>Well, I agree that it needs to extend beyond the basic "This is what makes Reed unique", but at the same time, I think it's a component, and you might even say half of the work is done - I reckon admissions officers like to see evidence of a strong understanding of the school's ethos, especially given the rate of applicants who apply just because it's a top rated LAC, and even if this is pretty blunt and doesn't really have any spark, it at least has one of the important components.</p>

<p>Also, that's probably not part of the essay, no? Just a blurb in summary for the chances thread?</p>

<p>Why Reed aside, I'd say go ED. No reason to do the subject tests again since they don't require them, and you don't need to make up for any huge holes in your essay.</p>

<p>Chances... Medium?</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the feedback. My "Why Reed" part is definitely not part of my actual essay. I just kind of summed up what I liked about the school. My actual essay has a lot more analysis, thought and "soul-searching". I think I'm going to apply ED, but also retake the subject tests just in case I get deferred or wait listed.</p>

6

<p>Thanks! I have a much better understanding of how to write an admissions essay now!</p>