How are my chances of getting into Reed?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
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<p>I'm applying RD and Reed College is my first choice. I know people say you shouldn't really focus too much on one school, but I can imagine myself being really happy there,</p>

<p>SAT: 2190 (670 Critical Reading, 800 Math, 720 Writing 10 Essay)
GPA UW: 3.4 (Ouch). Also, my school doesn't weight. I have an upward trend, though. 9th: 3.0, 10th: 3.51, 11th: 3.61, Senior 1st Sem: Probably 3.7-3.8.
My school is somewhat competitive, one of the top private schools in Manhattan (It's not like Dalton or Trinity, but I would say it's pretty competitive).
I will have taken 7 honors courses (Taking one right now) and 5 AP courses by graduation, and I got a 5 on AP US History (I'm taking 4 now). Also, not that it will be recognized, but I'm taking basically the hardest course at my school, Philosophy.
SAT Subject Tests: 800 Physics, 730 Math 2 (I retook it today, hoping for a 780-800).</p>

<p>I hope my essay will be amazing. I plan on spending at least 24-30 hours more on it by the time I submit my application.</p>

<p>I have my interview tomorrow. I am kind of worried, though. I sent my interviewer a confirmation email solidifying where and when we should meet last night and he hasn't replied yet.</p>

<p>I am thinking I might take the SAT one last time in January. I know that my total score is around Reed's 75th percentile, but I am a bit worried about the Critical Reading score. How do you think I would fare with both CR and Writing above 750?</p>

<p>I don't have any groundbreaking ECs:</p>

<p>Varsity Band 1st Chair Trumpet
President of New York State Science Honors Society at my school
Architecture Club leader
JROTC Various minor leadership positions
3 courses in Physics and Planetary science at Museum of Natural History (4 hours a week for 6 weeks each. I plan on taking another soon)
Various tutoring: Students with autism, summer tutoring students between the 7th and 8th grade, NHS tutoring
Various service: 50-100 hours at a food pantry, a service trip, etc.</p>

<p>I have a few other extracurriculars but they're not that significant.</p>

<p>Is it worth it to visit Reed? It is my first choice, but I don't think my chances are that great. I live in New York, and plane tickets back and forth will probably be around $600 to $700 for my father and me.</p>

<p>Thank you for any advice you can give me.</p>

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<p>It kind of feels wrong making a cliche chances thread, though.</p>

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<p>Your application should be quite competitive (IMHO). Think about why Reed is your #1 choice, and then think about your “Why Reed” essay.</p>

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Going through past threads, some have said that the interview has some level of consideration in the admissions process. What exactly defines a great interview? I thought my interview went well, but I don’t remember anything that was absolutely amazing (There were some short deep conversations, but nothing huge). Then again, I have only done two interviews, so I don’t really know.

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A great interview will boost your chances, a good or so-so interview won’t count much. It can only help you (unless, of course, you act extremely and overtly inappropriate). My interview went alright, nothing too amazing - meanwhile, my interview at Lewis & Clark was awesome, and I got deferred. It’s a good thing to do, especially since it shows interest, but don’t stress. It’s not a huge deal.

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How will Reed view my lack of an AP English class in senior year? I was originally accepted into AP Physics, AP English Lit, and AP Government in March of my Junior year, but when I got into AP Calc AB, I was told by my school that I wasn’t approved for 4 APs. I then had to choose which AP to drop, and for me that was AP Gov or AP Lit, and I chose Lit. In hindsight, AP Gov is really tough, my lowest grade for the semester, and I think I might have done well in AP Lit anyway.

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that’s not as bad as the problem that I’m having this term.I signed up for class before the term started because I wanted enough credits to be considered as 3/4 time student who works 30 hrs a week. turns out that I didn’t need the class and I was afraid that my overall grade would drop (i also take martial arts, self study Japanese and Spanish, sword fighting outside of school) so I decided to just take the class next term. I dropped the class, now not only are they saying I did not drop the class but I actually tried to reenter myself into the class and they’re making me pay for it and even if I do get approved to remove myself from the class I’m going to have a w or at best r on my record. I know for a fact I dropped myself from the class, and with this I am no longer eligible for financial aid. I’m absolutely pissed, because they refuse to do anything about it telling me its my problem not theirs, they just work here. and it’s not as if I have a stellar grade in high school either, so everything I do is based off of my college, improving myself in college that I can and will work hard. this kind of thing makes it look as if I just give up really easily.

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Update: My SAT is now 740 CR, 800 M, 730 W 11 E, and my Math Level 2 is a 750. My 1st semester grades were mainly a 3.4-3.5, but we don’t really use the 4.0 scale.

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My son got in early decision this year with an unweighted GPA around 3.1 (3.46 weighted, reflecting 5 AP course) and an SAT of 2120 (730 CR, 610M, 780W). He also got an 800 on his World History SAT II and a 780 on his European History. His GPA was clearly marginal for a place like Reed, but his teacher recommendations emphasized that he studies to learn not to get good grades and that he does much of his learning outside of class on his own. His Common App essay identified Powell’s Bookstore in Portland as the one place he felt most comfortable in. Which is true, since he originally wrote it for a school-related project that had nothing to do with getting into Reed or anyplace else. Everyone also says the “Why Reed” essay is critical and he managed to convey a familiarity with Reed and its traditions that fit in with the perceived ambiance of the school as a place for quirky intellectuals. The lesson here is that Reed is still willing to take a chance on kids who may not have worked hard in their high school classes but are clearly bright and love to learn. Their hope and ours is that Reed will provide the kind of nurturing environment that our son can prosper in. You look pretty good on paper (your new SAT scores are terrific) but you also need to convey the sense that you are a Reed type. Good luck.

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If you haven’t visited, you should definitely do so before accepting an RD offer. Wait until you get in and go to accepted student visits at your top 2-3 schools. It is really worth it to do so, and I think Reed in particular is a school you should visit before deciding for sure.

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@jmgradon Well, if anyone wants to read the Why Reed? Essay I wrote, I can send it to them.

The college admissions cycle makes me wish I spent less time worrying about the SAT (For example, I thought I should have gotten a 6/12 on the recent SAT Writing essay, but I got an 11. My worst essay was my best score) and focusing more on how I can show I could be a Reedie, but I did do an interview that went pretty well.

Edit: I guess I am already identifiable, but I didn’t want the main themes of my essays posted.

@intparent Yes, I plan on attending 2 or 3 accepted students days, but if I get into Reed, I might just attend that one to make sure I really want to go. I guess it would be a good idea to see another environment, though.

By the way, are you an INTP or is one of your kids one (Or just an INT)? Although I don’t read much about myers briggs anymore, most of the tests I took turned out INTP.

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People always think that about my user name. I happen to be an I/ENTJ (right on the cusp), but I actually picked “int” for “interested” parent. :slight_smile:

My D2 went to her top 3 accepted student visits, and changed her mind as a result. Do at least a couple… It can be a scramble if you only plan one, and it isn’t what you expected.

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@intparent: Good post; good advice. D had much the same experience.

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Your chances are 100%.

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@merc81‌ Well, you’re right now.