Grade deflation harsh?

<p>I really like most of what I've found out about Reed. I'm pretty sure I'm applying there, but I've heard they're totally anti-grade inflation and low GPAs are common. The 4-year graduation rate seems sort of low, but a high percent of Reed graduates get Ph.D's?</p>

<p>Right now I think I'd like to go to a good graduate school and not have extra debt from graduating slowly... Does anyone have opinions or information about this? I know I'd work hard and I really like learning and probably the environment there but I'm not sure if it would be too stressful and demanding compared to a load of AP classes, etc. I want to visit to see but all the colleges I want to go to are out of state and not sure if I can visit all of the ones I'm unsure of...</p>

<p>As a Reed alumnus (from a previous generation), I can report that there is no "deflation" of grades, there is just slower or lower "inflation" compared to many colleges. Graduate and professional schools know this and often make adjustments for it. It should be apparent that Reed grads suffer no disadvantage because of this. The evidence based on "Outcomes" listed on the Reed website makes clear that Reedies have very high acceptance rates to graduate and professional programs: REED</a> COLLEGE STUDENT OUTCOMES</p>

<p>From my own personal experience, my cumulative GPA was in the B+ range, but I got into every doctoral program and law school I applied to, and these were serious places: Stanford, Berkeley (Boalt), Chicago, and (my safety at that time) Hastings (all in law) ;and Princeton and Wisconsin (doctoral programs). That grades are more realistic at Reed is no reason not to attend.</p>

<p>Regarding the retention or time to completion question, I've addressed this on a recent thread here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/398658-graduation-rate.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/398658-graduation-rate.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Reed's program is definitely demanding, but one of the payoffs is the preparation for graduate school should you choose to go. I think the chances to do independent research and the general approach to learning are very consistent with the style of learning in graduate school. Reed encourages you to think.</p>

<p>oh ya, I saw those pages, so wasn't sure what to think</p>

<p>Thank you for this and also the link to the other topic, sorry I didn't see it already (default age limit was set for showing, was wondering why so few visible topics)</p>

<p>I'll have to visit, and work hard on applications... other than those fears, like everything else I've heard about Reed is amazing</p>