ED I chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
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<p>I know how many posts like these there are already, but I am truly in love with Reed and am hoping to get some input on what my chances are for getting in. </p>

<p>So, I'm actually in a weird situation. I just got out of high school and I'm taking next year off to get experience in my two main passions: Anthropology and writing. I'm going to participate in archaeological digs and write for a tourist magazine in Romania and then I am going to go to Mongolia to write for a local Newspaper and then live and study with Nomads, as well as do some Paleontology work in the Gobi Desert. At any rate, I have to apply to college for the 2007-2008 school year in the mean time (i.e. this summer). I've already decided to apply to Reed early decision, but I'm a little scared of my shot of getting in.</p>

<p>My GPA, in all honesty, is very low. Barely over a 3.0 overall, actually. I went through numerous family deaths, not to mention dedication to outside pursuits over school. I've always taken advanced, honors and AP courses, though, and in 11th and 12th grade I generally got between a 3.6 and 3.8 unweighted, a 4.3 through 4.6 weighted.</p>

<p>My SATs aren't much help, either. I'm not much of a standardized test taker (a likely story, I know, I know). I got high 600s in CR and Writing (an 11 out of 12 on the essay) and a low 600 or 610 in Math.</p>

<p>My ECs, Recs and Essays look great, though. I play Oboe, Flute, English Horn in orchestras and ensembles in and out of school and have my share of awards -- I even got to be a part of a special program with the Kennedy Center for students to study with National Symphony Orchestra musicians. I'm also very involved in writing and journalism. I wrote 100 or stories for my school paper, managed and edited the entertainment section, got an MSPA award for review writing and have contributed to nearby newspapers in the area. I was also a part of my school's Global Responsibility Club and have worked, since Junior year, at a Foreign/Independent movie theater.</p>

<p>My recommendations are very positive. One is from my newspaper adviser, and journalism teacher, who taught for 35 years, or more, and claims that I am a very self-driven writer and student. Another is from my Comparative Religions teacher who writes about my deep interest in world cultures and what I contribute as a student. Another is from my AP World History Teacher who says similar, but unique, things. Another is from a Science teacher who taught me a sort of "Origins" class (the course focused on astronomy, the beginning of science as well as medicine, and philosophy.)</p>

<p>My essay is about "The Little Prince" and how it formed my perception of what it is to become an adult (it's a sort of reflective, coming of age paper). People say they love it -- I guess that means something.</p>

<p>So, how about it, is there any hope for a passionate, but late bloomer, who's interested in studying Anthropology, Biology and Creative Writing at Reed? Thank you for reading all this, too.</p>

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<p>Like you, I also had very low grades, but Reed is remarkably non-stat driven--there is a sea of people who describe themselves as the Reed Mistake, because they can't imagine how they got in with their grades. I <em>would</em> suggest trying to raise your SAT scores--even if you don't think your much of a test taker, it can't hurt you to try--I raised my math score by fifty points just by taking it again. I think you have a good chance at Reed, though, because you seem very passionate about what you do and you have an interesting story. I would try to demonstrate how you can be focused, though, because your grades may give off the impression that you can't stay concentrated on anything.</p>

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<p>Thank you, jabberwocky66, I appreciate your input. I was originally hoping to retake the SATs, but in between family tips, work and getting other stuff ready, I don't have time, unfortunately. How much are SATs, particularly, emphasized in Reed's decisions? I am also scheduled to do an on-campus interview in July, I'm hoping to explain why my 9-10 grade grades are much lower than those of 11-12 grade. Hopefully this will help? :/</p>

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<p>I imagine it would help, and your love of Reed will definitely be a boost : ) I should warn you that the trend at incoming Reedies seemed to follow reasonably high SAT scores and not so fantastic grades. I think that if you can have your interview and impress them with all the other things you have going for you, though, you'll be ok. I think that Reed has somewhat...alternative...admissions criterea. In my Why Reed essay, which I frantically completed the day it was due, I actually said "I feel that grades have detracted from my educational experience". I didn't look at it for months, and when I did I was horrified, convinced that I had commited some sort of college-admissions suicide. And then I got in...so...I'm thinking that what Reed's really looking for are people who can do well <em>at Reed</em>, with the people <em>at Reed</em>, so I wouldn't freak out because you don't fit too well into the general college admitee formula.</p>

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<p>It's funny, I actually did pretty well on practice SATs, and even the PSATs, I got mid 700s in CR and Writing, a little higher in Math. I'm weird, I guess. I'm glad to hear that Reed still has space for the underdog. One of my friends actually got in this year, smart guy, but had misleading grades and test scores, had a great interview and got in. Here's hoping for another success story.</p>

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<p>Have a look at <a href="http://web.reed.edu/ir/cds/cdssecc200506.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.reed.edu/ir/cds/cdssecc200506.html&lt;/a>. It gives what Reed considers to be the relatively important admissions criteria and the statistical profile of the Fall 2005 entering class. Note that Interview is the most important non-academic criterion. Taking the ACT would help if you can fit it in.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the link, vossron! Hmm, essays are considered more important than test scores, and it looks like a lot goes into consideration with admissions overall....perhaps there is hope yet!</p>

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<p>hmmm ... I wonder what kind of "mistake" I am? I didn't interview -- couldn't make the trip to Portland and applied to Reed on the strength of its academic reputation. I got the fat letter with the confetti (along with acceptances from other, initially-higher-choice schools) and put it aside, thinking Reed wasn't really for me (I don't drink, do drugs, or enjoy dancing naked on the square). It wasn't until I visited, spent the night with Reedies, attended class, and explored campus that I realized Reed IS for me. So why did Reed accept me in the first place? Yeah, my grades and scores are good, I take my academics seriously, but I come across on paper as preppie conservative. My essays were really aimed at ivies. Because I didn't interview, Admissions didn't get a chance to see who I really am. Either the admissions people are very astute at reading between the lines, and saw I was a good match before I knew it myself, or they totally goofed.</p>

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<p>I didn't interview either, and am also pretty conservative for a Reedie--in the end, I actually decided not to go, but I think what may have gotten me in were my supplemental materials. I sent in a very good supplemental essay, that probably brought out my intellectual side--I'm thinking that's what appealed to them. I also had a pretty goofy essay (it was about how I've always secretly wanted to be a math genius...go figure), but it wasn't really really bizarre, and got me into a lot of mainstream, more conservative colleges. I'm thinking Reed has some sort of magical machine in the basement that tells them who to admit, becuase I sure as hell don't get it.</p>

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<p>Pure speculation on my part, but I wonder if there could be an admissions category for Ivy types which adds yet another kind of diversity!</p>

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<p>;alksdfjds <em>exactly</em>---you've got your different ethnicities, religions, majors, and, oh yes--the <em>Ivy types</em>. This is great : )</p>

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<p>I think you have good cause for hope. Your GPA trending upward is good. Also, have a look at <a href="http://web.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring06/features/into_the_limelight/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring06/features/into_the_limelight/&lt;/a>. You may never get to play in the new performance theater, but your music background could be a plus.</p>

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<p>Bezdomny: why are you homeless?</p>

<p>As a Reed alum (not recent), I can say that you look like a really good fit to Reed and would have a good chance at admission there based on your interests and your record. I'm sure you would also enjoy that learning environment.</p>

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<p>Haha, I was wondering if someone was going to get my username. Don't worry, though, I'm not homeless -- my name is in honor of the character "Homeless" from Bulgakov's novel, "The Master and Margarita."</p>

<p>Thank you for your nice words. Same goes to everyone, I appreciate the honesty, and kindness, of the responses here. In truth, I was a little intimidated by collegeconfidential.com up until now.....</p>

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<p>I hear Reed takes more notice on the essay than GPA, which may be a really vague statement but is this true? Does it have any affiliations with graduate programs? for example, I hear MIT loves reed undergrads</p>

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<p>I would put it this way: Essays and high school record (which classes taken and the grades earned) are the most important, more so than standardized test scores. I haven't heard of formal grad school affiliations, but academic and research grad schools seem to like Reed graduates: The latest data show Reed producing the second-highest percentage of future PhDs overall, second only to CalTech.</p>

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<p>grad schools <em>love</em> Reedies--I think they figure that if you can make it through Reed unscathed, then you're a really good candidate.</p>

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<p>Has anyone here gotten accepted to Reed for early admission (after junior year), or known anyone who has, or have a general idea of what Reed would be looking for in an early admission applicant?</p>

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<p>From <a href="http://web.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/freshmen_special.html#earlyadmission:%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/freshmen_special.html#earlyadmission:&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>"The Committee on Admission will consider applications from unusually qualified high school students who wish to enter Reed after the junior year. Students interested in early admission should have outstanding high school records and have exhausted the educational opportunities available to them at their high schools. An early admission candidate follows the standard freshman application process, with two exceptions: early admission candidates may not apply under the early decision options, and the application must be accompanied by a letter from a high school counselor or principal supporting the student's plan to enter college after the junior year. Early admission candidates are required to take either the SAT I or the ACT. In addition, the student should be sure to address in the application why he or she is seeking early admission to Reed. Early admission applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that the student receive either a high school diploma or a GED in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds."</p>

<p>An interview, on or off campus, would likely help.</p>

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<p>would you happen to know what exactly grad schools love about reed?
(innovative thought, logic processes, knowledge, passion for their work)</p>