<p>I got my acceptance letter a few days ago and I am so happy to count Reed among my college options, but at the same time I am terrified of what might happen if I attend.</p>
<p>I think I might be able to handle the intensity, but to be honest I just don't know. I get fairly good grades, I take my schools' only available AP English class, and I receive more "awesome connection" remarks than anyone else in that class, but I am easily confused by how to interpret directions and more than once have turned in essays answering the wrong question or projects that addressed the wrong topic. Because of my consistent "answer the question" comments, I've begun to freeze on assignments, especially when they involve analytical writing. I know Reed is especially intense where written assignments are concerned, and I'm scared of what would happen if I tried to write a Humanities 110 essay in my current state. </p>
<p>If anyone has anything to say regarding this, I would sincerely appreciate it.</p>
<p>Two things: first, each Hum paper has 7-10 prompts to choose from, making the task of finding a prompt one can answer pretty simple; second, you are also able to create your own topic, as long as it is written well.</p>
<p>I’m honestly not a great writer. I tend to write pretty eloquently, but sometimes have logical fallacies, go off topic, mention something without later going into more details, etc. The fact that we have two weeks to write each paper really helps with this, though.</p>
<p>If you are willing to work hard, I think you’ll do fine. As administration tells potential students very often: no incoming freshmen really know how to write a paper (myself included).</p>
<p>^Thank god for that. According to all external measurements, I’m a phenomenal writer…But I really don’t feel it, and I’m glad Reed doesn’t either. I can’t wait to learn how to write at such an elevated level! :D</p>
<p>@Ala You should be fine 
If you’re that worried, you can talk to professors during the writing process to see if you’re on track.</p>
<p>Upperclassmen also give free tutoring:</p>
<p>[In-person</a> Help at the Writing Center](<a href=“http://academic.reed.edu/writing/]In-person”>Online Writing Lab - Reed College)</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for your responses!</p>
<p>I am currently deciding between Reed and Hamilton, and I’m going to have to decide whether its really worth visiting Hamilton. I mean, if Reed is supportive enough that I can get some writing confidence back, I don’t know that I could find any other reason not to go there. Also, I’ve been doodling griffins without realizing it…I don’t even know what a continental is XD</p>
<p>Go to Reed Activity Days, if you can. It should be a blast, plus you get to sit in on a class.</p>
<p>Given that I want to be as sure as I can be that I will have no regrets about my decision, and that I have stayed overnight at Reed and I have not at Hamilton, I’ll really only be able to go to Hamilton’s student day (it will take three final-review days to accomplish that, if I were to attend Reed’s student day as well, I would be missing all of the last week before finals). </p>
<p>During my overnight stay however, I saw a humanities lecture and discussion as well as two other classes so I have something of an idea of what classes are like.</p>