<p>I'm interested in hearing from students who may have decided between Reed and Chicago and (obviously) chosen Chicago. What were the deciding factors for you? Did you visit both schools? Are you happy with your decision? Any thing else you'd like to add? </p>
<p>I have a feeling my son may end up picking between these two. He's already visited Reed and will visit Chicago if he's accepted. He's been more pro-Reed, but I have this vague preference for Chicago. On the other hand, the more I read about Chicago's policies on their website, the more rigid they seem. I've already mentioned in other threads that I've found them the most difficult/rigid financial aid office so far. </p>
<p>I'm in the inverted situation: Accepted to Chicago and waiting on Reed. Quite frankly, if I get into Reed I don't know what I will do - Reed faculty and adcoms are simply the nicest folks I've ever known, and I live in the damn south. </p>
<p>Chicago is far more well known in certain fields (economics) for undergrad work and if your son isn't going to get a graduate degree Reed won't have much weight as far as a "name" goes. Chicago also grants merit aid, for what it's worth, Reed does not. For me, I feel that the decision is going to come down to cost, my state school (~8000 a year heavily defrayed with scholarships) vs Chicago (44k with a possibility of a scholarship) vs Reed (50k with no possibility of aid/scholarships). Eh.</p>
<p>S narrowed his choices to Reed & Chicago. He really liked Reed (except for all the cigarette smoking), but chose Chicago for three main reasons. He felt that Chicago offered more choice and opportunity, it was, well, in Chicago, and Reed's student honor system. He learned that if someone expresses an opinion that makes another uncomfortable that person can ask for a student disciplinary council meeting (or some such thing). When at Chicago he asked a student guide about this and the response was, here your supposed to express opinions that make others uncomfortable, but you better be able to defend your opinion. S preferred Chicago's approach.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, I probably wasn't clear enough. He visited Reed for a weekend in the fall, but hasn't been accepted to either school. AT this point, there's no reason to visit Chicago unless he's accepted, so that's what will determine visiting or not.</p>
<p>I did not apply to Reed because I did not want to attend a school where people have such similar political/social beliefs. I like the diversity of opinions at Chicago.</p>