<p>From the common data set:</p>
<p>Reed</a> College 2010-11 Common Data Set</p>
<p>2010-2011</p>
<p>Number applications: 3075
Number admitted: 1311 = 43%</p>
<p>Number enrolled = 373 = 28% of those admitted</p>
<p>Number offered wait list= 620
Number accepting wait list = 616</p>
<p>Number admitted off wait list = 9 = 1.4%</p>
<p>Why maintain a wait list equivalent to almost half the number of admitted students?</p>
<p>So out of the 620 students offered the wait list all but 4 accepted it? That seems abnormally high.</p>
<p>This is totally my guess and I have no knowledge of the way this admissions process works but maybe Reed uses the wait list for applicants who may not be exactly what they are looking for statistic wise but have demonstrated that they really like the school which would mean most of the wait listed people are more likely to accept the spot. Also Reed seems to be a pretty self-selecting school and people that apply to Reed seem to be completely in love with it.</p>
<p>Even at Reed, college admissions are just bogus. That is all ye know from College Confidential, and all ye need to know.</p>