<p>My son is feeling the siren's call of Reed. His father and both grandparents attended. His father was a passionate Reedie and his grandmother still is. He likes the core, he loves the classics, he's an easy admit, great in science, literature, etc. He also really likes the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>I am far less excited about Reed. I recognize that they have incredibly faculty and that students are well prepared for grad school. But Chicago and other schools offer quite a few more opportunities for research, paid internships and a pathway to jobs after graduation. My kid is personally conservative in that he doesn't use alcohol and drugs and for better or for worse, Reed once again made it onto the Princeton Review's list of top 20 schools for weed use.</p>
<p>The decision will ultimately be his and I will support it, but I'd appreciate very much some perspectives about Reed.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to your other concerns as I have no frame of reference re. UChicago, but it’s perfectly possible to go to Reed without drinking or doing drugs–if that is indeed what your son intends to do, as opposed to your interpretation of his intentions.</p>
<p>I don’t drink or do drugs and I’ve never lacked for friends or felt pressure to use mind-altering substances at Reed. I think many parents and prospective students blow Reed’s druggie reputation way out of proportion, which is a shame.</p>
<p>When I was applying to college, Reed and UChicago were my top choices. I wasn’t able to make a firm decision during the application process, but the choice was taken out of my hands when UChicago waitlisted me. (Thanks, slacker self, for getting a 3.3 GPA in high school.) I think I would have gone with UChicago if the chance had presented itself, but three years on I am very glad it didn’t. Reed has given me an amazing education and many opportunities of the kind you describe (which I’ve mostly squandered).</p>
<p>There are no doubt many students at UChicago who chose it over Reed, and a surprising number of Reedies who chose Reed over UChicago, including a close friend of mine. I’m sure almost all of the people who’ve been presented with this choice are happy with the decision they made, whatever it was.</p>
<p>(Sucks to be an aid-seeking international.)</p>
<p>Sounds like your son should just apply RD to schools he’s interested in and then make his decision after visiting the schools that accept him. Note that there will be tradeoffs whether you son ends up going to UChicago/Reed, although UChicago does have many small classes (core classes, especially), and has smaller living-learning communities (dorms?).</p>
<p>I always enjoy reading Ghostt’s posts. I would simply note that it is also possible to go to Reed, drink and do drugs, graduate with honors, and go on to a successful career – with an understanding of what it means to have been young and foolish. </p>
Can anyone tell me about the Chemistry program, research opportunities , and how difficult it would be for a chem major at a LA college (Reed) , to get into grad school. My son seems like a great fit for Reed when it comes to personality(i.e. unique individual) . He has other choices (UC Irvine, UCSD, Boulder…) that have more in depth chem programs but feels strongly that Reed is best for him. He comes from small, Intense and rigorous High School and looks forward to the Freshman year and is equally not intimidated about the following years. He has to decide by May 1st so we are down to the wire – any comments would be GREATLY appreciated.
Obviously bigger schools will have more specialized chemistry programs. I do not think your son could go wrong with picking Reed for chemistry, however. Reed is, however, more famous among grad committees for biology and physics (Reed produces like ~4 successfully completed chem PhDs every year; bio is like 12, physics, 11.). But I must say, most of the chemistry professors are really good, even the ‘department associates’.
There are research opportunities for chemistry. Some chem majors find the reactor training/operation to be relevant. I have no background on the latter, so idk what they are talking about.