Math and Physics at Reed

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
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<p>Well, so a while back I had been planning on applying to Reed, but I lost the essay that I wanted to submit, and that factor just killed my desire to apply by the deadline (it was the only recent essay that was an actual essay as opposed to the other stuff we have been writing). I then went on the rationalize to myself that Reed wouldn't give me the Math, Physics, and other classes that I wanted in general. However, SAT and ACT scores had already been submitted as well as the letters of recommendation, so they are allowing me to still apply by March 1st (though if I do, I'll do so earlier). So, in order to dispel my doubts, I wanted to get some opinions on the classes for Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Science in general. This is mainly directed at those who are majoring in one of those three areas, but I'm open to other opinions as well. If I can assure myself that I would want to go to Reed (like I believed a month or two ago), then I will look for that essay as much as I can and still apply if I am unable to find it. I wish I could use my English papers for IB or my Theory of Knowledge essay, since they're some of my best work.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>I'm a Reed parent, and in case students don't respond:</p>

<p>The overall courses offered in chem, math and physics:</p>

<p>College</a> Catalog - Reed College
College</a> Catalog - Reed College
College</a> Catalog - Reed College</p>

<p>For the current semester:</p>

<p><a href="http://web.reed.edu/registrar/pdfs/s09_sched.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.reed.edu/registrar/pdfs/s09_sched.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>These courses allow Reed grads to later earn PhDs at rates that put them in the top ten of the entire country for the listed disciplines:</p>

<p>REED</a> COLLEGE PHD PRODUCTIVITY</p>

<p>I think of Reed as a grad school prep college, and especially strong for careers in research and academia.</p>

<p>And, yes, Reed will still accept applications.</p>

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<p>Cider, you are very mistaken, as Vossron makes clear. Reed has had outstanding Math and Physics programs for a very very long time. Not to mention Biology and Chemistry, which are also truly excellent. When I attended Reed many years ago this was already widely known. In fact I was 'sent' to Reed by an uncle who was a professor at Caltech at the time (in geology).</p>

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<p>If you have to work so hard to convince yourself that Reed (or, for that matter ANY college) is the right place for you, maybe you should listen to what your gut instinct is telling you. Focus on the colleges that you feel more positive about, rather than trying to talk yourself into a school that doesn't feel like a fit. It is OK to let Reed go, if you feel it's not right for you.</p>

<p>That said, my son has been happy with the math department at Reed. He has found the profs and courses he's taken so far to be very challenging, and right up his alley (he has a strong preference for abstract mathematics, rather than applied). Want more challenge in physics than what's offered in the catalog? Neither Vossron or Mackinaw mentioned this but Reed is the only college in the country that has a nuclear reactor that is entirely run by undergraduates. So, in addition to the courses in the catalog, you have the option of taking a very demanding "extracurricular" program to earn your nuclear reactor license. </p>

<p>But again, don't talk yourself into Reed or ANY college. As someone who has counseled many students looking to transfer, I can tell you that one of the main things students say when they're thinking of transferring is that they knew in their hearts that the school they ended up at wasn't the right one for them, but they talked themselves into it. If your gut is telling you that a school is not right for you, then you will probably be better off focusing on the schools on your list that you feel more comfortable with. As I said, it's OK to let Reed go if you believe it isn't right for you. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I'm a Reed math junior, and I've taken a few physics class here, too.</p>

<p>It really depends on what you want to get out of math. In particular, the Reed curriculum is highly abstract. The standard second semester freshmen Math 112: Intro to Analysis teaches you a lot of mathematical machinery by formally defining/constructing/proving pretty much everything you've learned since kindergarten. It likely won't be "new" to you in the sense that you already know 2 + 2 = 4, but each symbol in that statement will have been defined in terms of sets by the time you prove it's (usually) true. My friends who attended other schools didn't encounter a lot of this stuff until they were juniors.</p>

<p>So if you do Reed math, you'll write a lot of proofs and do almost no actual computation. This makes the math department really good for math majors (especially those headed to grad school), but not-so-good if you're more interested in doing something more applied, like engineering. (Physics majors get around the problem by taking Physics 200, Mathematical Methods).</p>

<p>The professors are incredibly good. If you go the math route, you'll have a friendly personal relationship with most of them by the time you graduate (but this is true for most majors at Reed).</p>

<p>The flip side of this is the relatively small course selection. I can only give you two responses: First, any one of the math professors is capable of teaching you more than you could possibly learn in four years. Second, all the main areas of mathematics are represented, and it would probably be worth trying them before deciding which ones you'd really like to pursue.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. I love the math department here, and would be more than happy to answer any more questions.</p>

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<p>It's not that I'm trying very hard to convince myself to apply. I just need to see whether my lack of interest was a result of realizing that my app wouldn't be as good as I wanted it to be because of the loss of my paper. </p>

<p>I guess when I was thinking of how good the classes are, I was thinking in relative terms in comparison to the other schools that I want to go to (my top two are Harvey Mudd and MIT) as well as in comparison to my intelligence and current knowledge (I am taking Linear Algebra and Complex Analysis now, and I've already taken Calculus 3). My dad has a friend who got his PhD at Reed, but I doubt that the undergrad experience would be the same as the grad experience at Reed (especially since he got his PhD in CS).</p>

<p>I don't think just looking at the course catalog can give me an actual feel of what the classes would be like, and I won't be able to visit unless it's one of the schools that I'm accepted to.</p>

<p>Today, I was talking to a parent who had visited Reed with their daughter recently and she talked about how much drug-related activities there were and that there always seemed to be someone smoking outside of a building (and this was this year). While I'm not overly against alcohol and marijuana, I absolutely despise cigarettes and any of the harder drugs. Can I get some honest perspective on this as well?</p>

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<p>"My dad has a friend who got his PhD at Reed"</p>

<p>Reed has a tiny MA program in one discipline (Liberal Studies) and no PhD programs.</p>

<p>The Reed workload is very heavy, said to be up there with Swarthmore and U Chicago, such that someone heavily into drugs would likely have trouble completing the work. That said, Reed is tolerant of alternative lifestyles, treats students as adults, and is concerned more with safety than policing.</p>

<p>If you are accepted (and be aware that prospies' level of interest is important to Reed) you should visit overnight; most come away with a strong feeling one way or the other.</p>

<p>:) The world has changed, with cigarettes despised, and marijuana tolerated. ;)</p>

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<p>Interesting, my dad must have messed up when he told me that... But how much cigarette smoking is there on campus exactly?</p>

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<p>One thing that I forgot to include is that, next to Math and Science, I am very interested in Chinese language and Philosophy, and from what I've seen, these two departments are pretty strong, yes (especially since it's an LAC)? I think I might try to structure what my schedule could be assuming I end up with my hardest major possibility (double major in Math and Physics).</p>

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<p>Cider,
Your comment about Reed offering a doctoral program leads me to believe that you probably haven't done enough research about Reed yet. Here are some questions I'd suggest you ask yourself, and research more thoroughly:</p>

<ul>
<li>What do you think you'd enjoy about attending a liberal arts college? (Harvey Mudd is more like MIT than it is like Reed, in my opinion)</li>
<li>Do you think you'd enjoy Hum 110?</li>
<li>Is Reed's discussion based teaching approach a fit for the way you learn?</li>
<li>Would you be OK with Reed's rather extensive distribution requirements? </li>
<li>How do you feel about Reed's qualifying exam and thesis requirement? </li>
<li>What do you think of Reed's "grades recorded but not given to the student" approach?</li>
<li>Are you a pretty adaptable person? Would smoking (legal or otherwise) be a deal breaker for you, whether at Reed or elsewhere? What other sorts of student activities or attitudes might be a deal breaker for you? Do you think you'd find Renn Fayre fun? (try doing a search on YouTube for "Reed College Renn Fayre")</li>
<li>What is it that is keeping Reed on your mind, besides the fact that they said you could still apply if you want? Try to be as specific as possible - make a list of at least ten reasons you think Reed <em>might</em> be a fit for you.</li>
</ul>

<p>The above questions are ones that anyone considering Reed needs to think about before they sit down to write a convincing "Why Reed" essay -- and if you haven't thought about them yet, it's likely that you still have some research and thinking to do before deciding whether to apply or not. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Interesting, my dad must have messed up when he told me that.</p>

<p>I bet I know what happened.
The friend of your father's may have mentioned working on his thesis, ( which you defend to your board and it is published). It has been compared to a doctoral dissertation in some circles.
But what would be CS?
I wonder if dad misremembered the name of the school altogether.
it happens.</p>

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<p>Yeah - no Computer Science (CS) degree at Reed either</p>

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<p>Hey Cider, this is Fiona from Singapore. I am also interested in techy schools (you may've noticed me in the Mudd forum) I'm applying to Princeton, Mudd, MIT, Wellesley and Reed, and I believe I've done extensive research, especially on the smaller schools, so I think I can help you out :) I added you on AIM, but I much prefer Gtalk, which I'm on all the time. You can also catch me on MSN, though infrequently. Send me an email, that works too. </p>

<p>About the drug culture, I have been corresponding with a Reed student. She says that the reason is that the college gives a lot of responsibility to students, such that the culture is more liberal. Some students do abuse that privilege, but the upside is that students feel free in a tolerant environment (as opposed to punitive environment) to seek help when they need it. There's also sub-free dorms if you're uncomfortable with smoking and drinking.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The Honor Principle is very big on campus, and there is always discussion going on about it. That being said, I would say that Reed doesn't have any bigger of a problem with drugs and alcohol than most other colleges. There are hippies, but you know, it's like just another group of people.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>About techy hardcoreness, Reed, by its very nature as a LAC, cannot provide the depth and breadth as Mudd or MIT. However, one major factor: opportunities to work with friendly faculty, especially through the senior thesis. </p>

<p>Also, the academically-intense environment is definitely conducive for learning--I've heard many many times how serious Reed students are about academics :) So, take it for what it is--Reed is not MIT, but it is an amazing place to learn, and there are <em>opportunities</em> to pursue science to the depth that you want. After all, there's a reason why so many Reedies go on to graduate school.</p>

<p>P.S. What the Eff? We share a freaking lot of similarities. You KoL too?? O_O (I googled your AIM)</p>

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<p>I am a current Reed student, and the only reason I am hanging out on College Confidential is that I'm in Paris doing a semester abroad and the workload here is a JOKE compared to Reed. But let me add my two cents to this thread.</p>

<p>I didn't know this until January, but computer science must have been an option for a major in the past at Reed, because I know an alumnus who graduated with what I believe to be an interdisciplinary of mathematics, economics, and computer science in 1996. It would be impossible to graduate from Reed with 3 majors, so it would have to have be an interdisciplinary, unless he took like 7 years to graduate.</p>

<p>Also, hardly anybody double majors, because that would mean you would write two theses and complete all the requirements for the two majors, as well as take two junior qualifying exams (which you have to pass in order for you to become a senior). It is not IMPOSSIBLE though, as some people have done it in the past... But perhaps a better way to go about this is to consider the interdisciplinary options that are already available. If what you want is not available, you could petition for your own idea of an interdisciplinary major, as long as you can back it up.</p>

<p>As for drugs and cigarettes, yes you'll see it, but it does not have to affect you. Well, not too much anyway. I too am very bothered by cigarette smoke. And I survived Reed for 3 semesters and now I am in Paris (and you know the Parisians like their cigarettes). Sure, I complain about it, but it's not something you can't deal with. The school is definitely worth me having to deal with the cigarette smoke. I read that roughly 25% of the school smokes. I also heard that 25 percent is a lot compared to other schools, but the thing about smokers is that you'll see them no matter where you go, because they have to be outside in order to smoke, and it will almost always look like there are more smokers than there actually are.</p>

<p>As for drugs, it is completely up to you. I don't do drugs, and most of my friends don't, so I hardly ever see any drug-related activities, except pot, which is pretty common, not just at Reed but many colleges. But it is true that as long as one does not violate the honor principle or puts him/herself in a critical medical condition, it is his/her choice and problem. Having said that, drug use is not encouraged by the school as an institution, but it's just that students are expected to be responsible adults.</p>

<p>My boyfriend who graduated last May was a physics major, and recently he went to Wake Forest for a recruitment weekend type of event, where a professor told him that a book that he has already used to study at Reed is usually used at WF for 2nd or 3rd year Ph D students in physics. I thought that was pretty impressive. Also at Reed we have David Griffiths, who's like a rock star in the physics world.</p>

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<p>And yay for overnight visits! I was an overnight dorm host last semester!</p>