<p>Okay. I've applied to Reed, regular decision. I'm just curious as to how narrowly they consider a student's GPA. I started off high school poorly, but since I buckled down in my junior year, my GPA has increased significantly. Will they take this into account?</p>
<p>Here are my stats:
GPA - 3.65
SAT - 2040
CR - 650
M - 690
W - 700
(I live in the midwest- Kansas, to be specific- so the ACT is more common.)
ACT - 32
ENG - 36
MAT - 34
REA - 31
SCI - 27</p>
<p>Reed is my top choice. When I visited other schools, and had the opportunity to sit in on classes, I noticed how disengaged the students seemed. Some were sleeping or updating their Netflix queue. More than anything, I do not want to attend a school in which the average student is apathetic about their education, and acting in mindless submission merely to acquire a degree. I want to be surrounded by students like myself, who truly want to learn.
That being said, I've read articles where people have said that Reed is a good safety school for people applying to the Ivies. I must be frank, that ****es me off. Reed is a reach for me and I hope that my level of interest will be taken into account. Call me idealistic, but I think that level of interest should take precedence over shallow numbers.</p>
<p>Oh, also, I’m in four AP classes right now- AP Psychology, AP Literature, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B (school doens’t offer C)</p>
<p>Blessings upon those who respond</p>
<p>Also- sorry- not that it bears much pertinence, but I’m a National Merit Semi-finalist.</p>
<p>Lucky for you, Reed considers interest very, very highly. Your SAT could be higher, but it doesn’t put you out of consideration at all (besides, your ACT score is great!). Don’t worry about your GPA.</p>
<p>Just write a great “Why Reed?” essay, and you’ll definitely be a competitive candidate :)</p>
<p>^I agree with Francaisalamatt. Though reed is definitely selective, it’s not as if they are flooded with applicants with perfect gpas and SAT/ACTs. And what will make you stand out from ivy league (wannabes) who are applying to reed as their safety school is your fantastic, enthusiastic, well written and quirky Why Reed? essay. Since this is your top choice and you have visited, you will know “why reed” more than they do!
I wouldn’t be too worried about your gpa. I (and I believe Francaisalamatt) had a 3.72 gpa and we were both accepted. Also, I think the upward grade trend will probably be taken into account. If you wanted, you could explain the lower grades in the Additional Information section in the common app. If there was a reason you were doing poorly or something that inspired you to do better, it would give the admissions people a better understanding of you, rather than forcing them to rely on guesswork.
Also, I felt the exact same way about college visits. I thought apathetic/disengaged students were unavoidable until I sat in on a reed class. Little did I know… 
Hope this helped and good luck!!</p>
<p>You’re well within the range, of applicants. I applied to Reed with a 3.45 GPA and 2070 SAT and was accepted. As others said, they give a good amount of weight to your “Why Reed?” essay.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>