Questions about Reed...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
1

<p>I'm actually visiting the school this summer (I can't possibly take off school because it's too hectic), so anything that doesn't get answered I can ask then. :)</p>

<p>Firstly--how "formal" are the interviews? What kind of attire would be appropriate? Also, are there certain things I should bring (such as my incomplete HS transcript?)?</p>

<p>In what ways can a student fulfill the PE requirement? Must it be done through sports or are there alternative ways? And is the requirement something that must be done per year, per semester, or per complete time of attendance?</p>

<p>Can first year students have a car, how much are parking permits, is there adequate parking for all students, and does the school ever provide transportation to certain kids of off campus events?</p>

<p>Is there usually ample space in substance-free housing?</p>

<p>How many hrs/day or hrs/week does the average Reed student devote to studies? I know the school has very rigorous academics, so I'm trying to get a feel for it. </p>

<p>Does a single class count as one credit, or do some classes count for more than one?</p>

<p>Is there a single, uniform meal plan for all students?</p>

<p>Thanks for answers to the questions. If there's anything else that I REALLY need to know before going to the interview and information session, please let me know. <3</p>

2

<p>My son wore a t-shirt and jeans for his interview, and is now admitted as a Presidents Scholar. The entire west coast is much more casual than much of the country -- you'd look odd dressed up for an interview. I would say that the key to the interview is just being yourself.</p>

3

<p>In what ways can a student fulfill the PE requirement? Must it be done through sports or are there alternative ways? And is the requirement something that must be done per year, per semester, or per complete time of attendance?</p>

<p>PE classes are all a quarter long, and you must take six quarters of PE any time before you graduate. You can only get one quarter of PE credit at a time, even if you enroll in more than one PE class. There are plenty of non-sport PE classes, an athletic Reedie is relatively rare.</p>

<p>Can first year students have a car, how much are parking permits, is there adequate parking for all students, and does the school ever provide transportation to certain kids of off campus events?</p>

<p>I know some freshmen with cars, but I don't know the logistics. There seems to be adequate parking. And yes, the school provides transportation to some off-campus events.</p>

<p>How many hrs/day or hrs/week does the average Reed student devote to studies? I know the school has very rigorous academics, so I'm trying to get a feel for it.</p>

<p>This varies considerably depending on the student and which classes s/he's taking. Princeton Review ranks Reed 4th nationally on "Students never stop studying", but my freshman year hasn't been too bad. If you get admitted, you can probably handle it.</p>

<p>Does a single class count as one credit, or do some classes count for more than one?</p>

<p>Most classes count for one unit. The Hum 110 class is 1.5 units. I think some might be 0.5 units.</p>

<p>Is there a single, uniform meal plan for all students?</p>

<p>There are 3 board plans.</p>

<p>Formal dress probably isn't necessary for the interview. Try not to stress over the interview too much, and use it as an opportunity to find out things about Reed you can't learn from the website, etc.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for answering the questions! Now I'm going to have to think of things to ask at the interview. :P</p>

<p>One last thing: Do you think that the interview is a really big part of the admissions descision come application-time? I know I shouldn't worry too much since I'm definitely...odd/quirky/unique enough that Reed'd be a good fight, but I'm terrified of screwing it up horribly. </p>

<p>And also, how much do you think it hurts not being in the top 10%? My Junior class has like 56 people in it, and our top 10% is five people (my entire highschool is around 400 kids -- it's a small, Christian college prep school). All of the top 10% is within like 0.01 GPA of each other, and there's no way I could make it in (I have a 4.2, and they've got 4.7s [weighted]). The sad part is I've even got straight A's. O_o</p>

5

<p>I can't imagine that the percentage thing would be a proble. They have to be smart enough at admissions to take that in its context.</p>

6

<p>ha, i wore jeans to my interview on campus. so did everyone else i saw there. so i guess it's just fine :)</p>

<p>the tradition for math majors is to take juggling as your PE credit. there are tons of non-athletic options. you can look up some options online</p>

<p>last yr some people who did not request sub-free got put there due to space, so i'm guessing those who request it obtain a room easily. the rooms there are awesome too.</p>

<p>not being in the top ten percent is obviously not as good as being in it, but several people i know who were in the top 20 or 50 percent were accepted. grades are important but there are a lot of ways to show you are academically prepared for a college like reed.</p>

7

<p>That's good to hear (about the PE credit) because I am NOT athletic at ALL.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I'm in the top 20%, but my school has stopped telling us our unweighted GPA and our class ranks, so no one REALLY knows what number they are. Freshman year I was in the top 11% and that was very annoying. :P</p>

<p>Thanks for answering my questions!</p>