<p>Hey Jussmall. I didn’t know what I wanted from a college when I first started and I when I first was introduced to Reed, I did not like the idea of going there at all. (Just because it was in Oregon and I have never been interested in going there. I wanted to be either on the East Coast or in Washington.) But after fully researching, I realized that it was my dream school. There are some schools that I also was going to apply to (even though they might have things you don’t like or are against): Seattle University, University of Puget Sound, Clark University, Skidmore College, Whitman College, Brandeis University [beep beep - heavily religiously affiliated!], Vassar College. </p>
<p>These are the sites I used. I looked at each schoool thoroughly and got a lot of my information from student reviews. I found that those are the most helpful because usually the kids who write reviews either hate or love their school. You get to see two completely opposite ends of the spectrum, which is really helpful. (I’m going to do the same thing with asterisks at Plainsman)</p>
<ul>
<li>P<em>R</em>I<em>N</em>C<em>E</em>T<em>O</em>N<em>R</em>E<em>V</em>I<em>E</em>W<em>.</em>C<em>O</em>M</li>
<li>U<em>N</em>I<em>G</em>O<em>.</em>C<em>O</em>M</li>
<li>C<em>O</em>L<em>L</em>E<em>G</em>E<em>B</em>O<em>A</em>R<em>D</em>.<em>C</em>OM</li>
<li>C<em>O</em>L<em>L</em>E<em>G</em>E<em>P</em>R<em>O</em>W<em>L</em>E<em>R</em>.<em>C</em>OM</li>
</ul>
<h2>- S<em>T</em>U<em>D</em>E<em>N</em>T<em>S</em>R<em>E</em>V<em>I</em>E<em>W</em>.<em>C</em>O*M</h2>
<p>I would also open a tab and go to the college/university’s website. I would check out the facts page and the student life page.</p>
<p>These are other schools that were recommended to me by a counselor who knows me very well. Most of them were almost perfect, but personal preferences got in the way (also, a some of them are religiously affiliated and have other things you might not like, but it seems that you and I have similar interests when it comes to preferences. I also don’t like Greek life and was completely uninterested in having sports as a highlight of the campus):</p>
<ul>
<li>Wesleyan U. (religious)</li>
<li>Lewis & Clark College (LOVED but didn’t quite make the cut)</li>
<li>Ithica College</li>
<li>Sarah Lawrence College</li>
<li>Pomona College</li>
<li>Connecticut College (I really liked everything except that it was in a Navy town. My high school is in a military town and I’m not a fan. Depends on your personal preference though.)</li>
<li>Amherst College (just didn’t click)</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon University (I was inlove with this school, but Reed and Vassar were two reach schools, and this reach school just didn’t make it up there with them)</li>
<li>Oberlin College (I really liked this school but it was just too isolated in an area that I would feel completely out of place in. Whitman is also isolated, but I’d feel comfortable in Washington)</li>
<li>Hamilton College</li>
<li>Macalester College (campus just wasn’t for me, but I was in love with the school otherwise)</li>
<li>Hampshire College </li>
<li>Bard College (loved this school - looking back, I’m not sure why this didn’t make it as a finalist)</li>
</ul>
<p>So that’s it. I hope this is at least a little helpful. =] All of these schools had amazing aspects to them, so I definitely encourage you to look into some of them. If you still decide that Reed’s your to choice, I really hope that you get in ED!! It sounds like you’ve got a great record. But Reed really isn’t about scores, so the future looks bright!! =]</p>