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<p>Yes, it does mean something. It means Reed College as a matter of principle refuses to participate in the USNWR rankings game by providing the magazine requested data. So it “competes” based on incomplete information. Years ago, before it took this position, Reed was ranked in the top 10.
(<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_college_and_university_rankings_(North_America[/url])”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_college_and_university_rankings_(North_America)</a>)</p>
<p>Reed’s great. Loren Pope called it “the most intellectual college in the country”. Reed has a policy of not showing grades to students unless requested, and most students don’t request them. Its program is very rigorous, including an oral exam at the end of 3rd year that can include any material covered in the student’s preceding course-work. Then it requires a senior thesis. The school has an excellent track record of preparing its graduates to complete Ph.D.s and a good record for getting them admitted to top professional schools. Suburban setting. Rains a lot.</p>