Reed College: Chances of getting in and what its like

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
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<p>I'm about to start my junior year of high school and I'm looking at colleges. I live in Virginia and I really like Reed College in Portland, Oregon. However, I've heard its pretty difficult to get into. I currently have above a 4.0 GPA. I plan to take the SAT or ACT or maybe both? Also, I've had pretty rigorous classes. I took AP World History and AP Environmental last year with other advanced English and math classes, and had A's and B's in all of them. This coming year I am taking AP English, AP US History, precalc, honors chem, French 3, and photojournalism. My senior year I want to take AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and my school offers college English and Government. And I want to take French 4. </p>

<p>For extra curriculars I have:
-Model UN, and I want to be Head Delegate my senior year,
-Literature SCAEL
-Vice President of the History Club,
-Lacrosse,
-National Honor Society,
-And some volunteer work and hopefully a job</p>

<p>Um, that's all I can think of right now. But also, could anyone who attended Reed College tell me what it was like, since I will likely not be able to visit because of me living so far away. What is the atmosphere and \people that attend like? Also, how is living in Portland? How are the classes and profs? Is the school good with financial aid and things like that?</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate this. :)</p>

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<p>OP, this is probably best handled at either the chances or Reed forum.</p>

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<p>You look good; your test scores will matter as well. Reed admits a higher percentage than comparable schools–a lot of kids are particularly geared to Reed due to the intensity and nature of its curriculum. Portland is a great city–livable, bikable, walkable. The college is in a bucolic neighborhood (East moreland), near a golf course. Reed consistently ranks in the top 20 for best classroom experience, best faculty, etc. On the other hand it has a reputation for a fair amount of drugs although it has substance free dorms. Its students are known to be quirky, intense and loyal to the school–don’t come to Reed if you are looking for competitive sports or a school with a lot of athletic events. Graduates go to grad school and do well.</p>