<p>Wait a second. I think you all are trying to decieve me into applying to Oberlin College, especially you Plainsman. You say that Oberlin College is as selective as Reed College, if not harder, and is looking for diversity, just like Reed College. But, Reed College deferred me, so something worse will probably happen when I apply to Oberlin College, which is just as selective if not more. Therefore, I think you, Plainsman, might be one of those secret agents sent by Oberlin College to get me into going there, because give me the most information about Oberlin College. It’s just a thought. Overall, Oberlin College will probably waitlist me or reject me, so why even bother. I can just apply to colleges I know I will get in, like the ones on my list.</p>
<p>P.S. I forgot to include in my last message that I do not care about the student loans as long as I do not have to go to private loans.</p>
<p>Jussmall, Reed, Oberlin or any other competitive college that you apply to will want to see evidence of solid critical thinking and research skills, and are interested in applicants with an open mind.</p>
<p>To be honest, evidence of this does not always come through in your posts. I would be careful not to jump to conclusions on why you were deferred by Reed.</p>
<p>What the heck is an agent? Jussmall, I joined CC only after my oldest kid (now a college senior) started appllying. I’m down to kid #3 who like you is a H.S. senior. When he’s done, I’m done. One of my kids goes to Penn State, the other to Oberlin. The third will attend one of several knows where. I’m not an agent for anyone. </p>
<p>I have to agree with Mintwood’s comment. You are now coming across as a bit paranoid and immature. I hope you didn’t leave the same kind of impression with the Reed adcom. If so, it might explain what happened with your ED application. Why are you so suspicious of people who are only trying to help by simply correcting some of the misinformation you’ve picked up and provide opinions on experiences they’ve had? This board isn’t about politics in Washington. No one here has an axe to grind or anything to gain by deliberately misleading you.</p>
<p>Sorry, I am just not used to people helping me without someone stabbing me in the back. But, I really need someone to recommend to me some colleges. Please, help a person in need. I know you all are good people.</p>
<p>I doubt you were deferred from Reed on the basis of a low EFC—</p>
<p>The idea behind Reed’s financial aid policy (in which a few non-needy applicants are taken over those who are requesting financial aid…I’m assuming this is what you are referring to) is that Reed doesn’t have to spread aid thinly. </p>
<p>Rather, 100% of demonstrated financial need is met (ie: without regard to how much is needed).</p>
<p>I think I might now know why I was deferred. After reading the comments saying that I was narrow-minded, and my narrow-mindedness might be in my paper, I decided to check my papers. My personal essay was okay, I could not see anything wrong with it. But when I got to my Why Reed essay, it had two major mistakes. The first was my first body paragraph. Looking it over, it does sound like I am bashing other colleges and universities with things I do not like, but luckly my other paragraphs focused on with I like about Reed. Now, my second flaw was my second and third body paragraphs, or the lack of a third that is. Somehow, I forgot to complete my second paragraph, only do the first and last sentences for my third paragraph, and to top it off, I fused the two paragraphs together in to one jumbled-up mess. Now, I will check over my other papers and not make a serious mistake like my Why Reed paper. It is a wonder they even deferred me. The botched essay and my low SAT must have been what deferred me, not the financial aid. I guessing the only reason they are even considering me is that I am an African American, and they need diversity. Feel free to tell me “I told you so.”</p>
<p>On an even sadder note, my English teacher proofread my paper and did not even see this big mistake. I even got a B- on the paper. On my next paper, I will definitely check for mistakes.</p>
<p>You might want to consider cleaning up your Reed essay and resending it with a mea culpa (apology). And delete the stuff that reflects a negative attitude about groups or other schools. Never speak negatively of other schools, organizations or people when applying for a job or school admission. I don’t know if it will do any good, but I don’t see how it can hurt. It would at least demonstrate some self-awareness that you are young and imperfect but want to attend Reed more than any other school. Add how you think a Reed education would help you to become the person you want to be, and how you believe your life experiences, personality and character could likewise contribute to the Reed community in a positive way. </p>
<p>Always stay on the high road. You are not running for mayor of a big city. Not yet, anyway. :)</p>
<p>I second Plainsman’s advice. Send them an edited version of your essay and add a note explaining how much you want to go to Reed. If you demonstrate self-awareness and interest in the school, that might help.</p>
<p>^Seems a little repetitive to send a note explaining how much you want to go to Reed after writing an entire essay on why Reed is a good fit for you But I third the advice quand-m</p>
<p>“I think I might now know why I was deferred.”</p>
<p>Just as most private schools consider applicants holistically, don’t look for a single reason for deferral. I also consider some form of communication during the deferral period to be nearly a requirement; updating the essay should be a good way.</p>
<p>If med school is your goal, Reed would likely be a make-or-break situation. Reed practices grade deflation; it is probably harder to get med-school level grades at Reed than at many other schools. Reed is still predominantly White (wearing dreadlocks and Bob Marley t-shirts doesn’t constitute Blackness or any other form of nonwhite identity) and the sociocultural environment there is regarded as somewhat solitary, defining Reedies in contrast, not in relation to, the world outside. In other words, Reed can be academically very difficult (sometimes absurdly so), and it can make people feel very alone in the universe. It’s not preppy, but it can feel alternative-preppy; a different facet of White/dominant socialization. You’ve thought extensively about what you want; I offer this information for you to consider if you wish to do so.</p>
<p>Wow. Good for Reed. These successful students are the ones whose academic careers were not rerouted by Reed’s Organic Chemistry course, it is worth noting. I recall having read in the Alumni Notes about alums who found grad school, including med school, highly manageable after a Reed education. Probably no revisionist replies will be forthcoming to this assertion. My point here is that Reed is often a tough experience, on several fronts.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to an info page for students, interested in med school, who are choosing an undergrad college. The author mentions grade deflation as a reason to avoid a school. Reedies who have survived this and succeeded at med school, I salute you. Potential students should know that premed at Reed is harder than at some other schools.</p>
<p>I claim (with no data whatsoever!) that being harder means learning more which means a higher MCAT score. I would think that medical schools know the average GPA histories of their feeder undergrad schools; can anyone say?</p>
<p>To clarify the racial data, 56% is from the current CDS, total undergrads “White, non-hispanic 815” over “Total 1447” ignoring “Race/ethnicity unknown” so be sure to compare appropriately with other schools.</p>
<p>56% white is way off. At Reed, 18 - 20% of students’ race is “unknown.” Most students who choose unknown are white. Very few students of color select that option because it would not be to their advantage. The real percentage of white Reed students is somewere around 75%, which puts it squarely in the ballpark with most of the leading LACs.</p>
<p>I do not care about the percent of whites in a college anymore. I will go where I go. If that place is with 99% whites or 1% whites, I do not care anymore. Moreover, I just filed my FAFSA report, and I have an EFC of 00000. Is that good or bad for me?</p>
<p>Hard to say. It mostly means that by FAFSA standards, your family won’t be expected to contribute to your college costs. Theoretically, if you were accepted to a FAFSA-only school that meets full need, you might be responsible only for federal student loans and work-study amounts. The same might be true for a PROFILE school (like Reed), or not. It doesn’t mean as much at schools that don’t meet full need.</p>
The botched essay and my low SAT must have been what deferred me, not the financial aid. I guessing the only reason they are even considering me is that I am an African American, and they need diversity. Feel free to tell me “I told you so.”</p>
But I third the advice quand-m</p>