<p>Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me get a perspective on Reed College. That's my son's top choice and I'd say it would be perfect--he's smart, quirky--but he's suddenly totally bombing out for some reason (senioritis in extremis?) and I don't know if that will hurt his chances or if, given his recent performance, would be too intense for him to handle anyway. And then there's the drug reputation...Any thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc. are welcome. Thanks!</p>
<p>Do you know if your son has a propensity towards taking drugs? If not, then your smart but quirky son will probably excel at Reed. It’s an amazing place for those willing to do the work. And a great stepping stone to grad school.</p>
<p>But the student really needs to be self motivated.</p>
<p>Reed has the reputation of being one of the most grueling schools in terms of coursework. And yes, it does have a reputation for drugs, but that’s true for many schools. Portland is a great city, the campus is lovely, and the people are nice. Have you visited?</p>
<p>Portland is a great city. It’s got lots of variety in people, places, and things to do. Reed has a reputation for being very difficult and for being very hippie-ish. Don’t be surprised if your son starts doing drugs while there. Not like there’s much you can do to prevent it though, so be mature and don’t freak out about it.</p>
<p>“Don’t be surprised if your son starts doing drugs while there.” Really? That is just about the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Pot.kettle.black on that “be mature” advice.</p>
<p>Our dau is completing her freshman year at Reed. It is the perfect fit for her. It requires a lot of work. While Portland is great, she hasn’t seen a whole lot of it yet. There is a surprising amount of campus-based activity week days and weekends to provide downtime from studies.</p>
<p>OP, if your son’s admitted, definitely be sure he visits (I’m assuming by your comments that he hasn’t been there). I think most people form a fairly good read on their personal fit over the course of a visit. Reed isn’t just for “hippie-ish” people. </p>
<p>(Re: his current grade slip, unless it’s dramatic, I don’t think Reed will rescind an admission based on some post-application “senioritis” slide. They are more interested in the whole person fit than what one marker like GPA says.)</p>
<p>As with every aspect of ‘culture’ mentioned about a given school, this thing about Reed and drugs seems like a ridiculous exaggeration from those that I’ve known who went there. Every single graduate student I’ve met who graduated from Reed was neither a hippy, druggy nor even someone who did more drinking than any other kid in undergraduate days. I am sure it is overblown. My sense is that its not a school that attracts kids into drugs, its a school that attracts kids that aren’t worried about stereotypes and mythology about drugs.</p>
<p>And from the kids who went there, they tell me that yes they worked very hard but everyone works hard together so it’s a real bonding experience and not hard to get into since they are in it together.</p>
<p>Reed did have two tragic drug related deaths recently.
At least one of the students had addiction treatment before they entered Reed.
It is very intense & while I like it- I can also say there are other schools that attract similar students with perhaps a tad more balance.</p>
<p>For what it worth, Steve Jobs studied there…</p>
<p>My S feel in love with Reed when we visited. He will be applying next year. I too think the drug reputation is overblown. I’m not really worried about my S going to Reed and coming out addicted to drugs. I am more worried about the heavy academics and how my S loves balance in his life. As much as he is a kid that lives the “life of the mind”, he also lives the “life of the outdoors” and needs to be out climbing some mountain somewhere A LOT. So he will look at Reed carefully, and if he gets in, will do another visit with an overnight.</p>
<p>He LOVED portland, so will be applying to L&C too.</p>
<p>I have a nephew who graduated from Reed and a son who went to L & C. My nephew struggled his first semester and was asked to take some time off. However, he was told he would be welcomed back with open arms when he was ready to return, whenever that was. He returned a year and half later and Reed was good to their word. He was completely refocused and had a totally different major. Being older also helped, I think. He loved the intellectual vibe.</p>
<p>My son visited and hated the place. He is also an outdoor person. When he asked if Reed had an outdoor club the student guide responded, “I think so, but who has time for that?” Son found L & C to be academically challenging but gave him time to pursue other activities including learning to sail and scuba dive. I think both boys found places that suited them well.</p>
<p>Thanks shennie!! I’m thinking when it’s all said and done my S will pick L&C over Reed for that exact reason. FYI… my S is a rescue scuba diver and my other S is a Varsity Sailor…</p>
<p>“When he asked if Reed had an outdoor club the student guide responded, “I think so, but who has time for that?””</p>
<p>Wrong guide! Reed has an active outdoor club, and together with the Gray Fund, sponsors outdoor activities so popular that participation is by lottery. Reed’s own ski cabin on Mt. Hood fills often. You will see students studying during the Reed van rides to the venues. Reed is like many schools: work hard, play hard.</p>
<p>Reed has a wide variety of outdoor activities. Our daughter, a “flatlander” from the Midwest, began her love of climbing via the Gray Fund and trips to Smith Rock. Reed is absolutely a work hard, play hard place. BTW, the most “radical” thing that our daughter did while she was a student there (she is now a biology graduate student in another state), was to dreadlock her hair and add a lip ring. She has since adopted a more conventional (shall I say “conservative”?) look, however. Reed helped her to push her limits academically and socially.</p>
<p>Wrong guide! Reed has an active outdoor club, and together with the Gray Fund, sponsors outdoor activities so popular that participation is by lottery. Reed’s own ski cabin on Mt. Hood fills often.</p>
<p>I would say!
Ds roommate senior year ( & current) not only double majored!- but is an avid climber, hiker & bicyclist ( does the STP every year)</p>
<p>( dredsmom- your D didn’t also cut her hair when it was in her face during time out during a rugby match did she?)
;)</p>
<p>
I’m not sure he actually studied there since he only lasted a semester.</p>
<p>I think Shennie’s answer is spot on. DD1 fell in love with Reed while DD2 did not and is now at L&C. Reed is known for being very academically challenging (read some of the college newspapers about writing a paper during half time of a rugby match) so I am not surprised about the guide’s response. While Reed certainly has a very active outdoors club (as does L&C) many students do not take advantage of it due to workload.</p>
<p>Jobs was registered for one semester, but hung out crashing classes and sleeping space for three more semesters. Ironic now, but at the time it was because of money.</p>
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