<p>I have recently been accepted to both Haverford College (Philadelphia Pennsylvania) and Reed College (Portland Oregon). I'm not sure what I want to study (probably somwhere in the liberal arts), but both colleges are really appealing and I'm not sure how to make a decision.</p>
<p>Reed is known as the intellectuals school, though I've heard it's to the detriment of pretty much everything else including a social life. I noticed that somewhat when I visited. Haverford on the other hand was a more friendly place, but I don't know if it's strong academically as Reed. Though Haverford offers the chance to study at Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and U Penn. Reed is also much more well known in my part of the country, and as such I suppose I should consider name-recognition. Nobody seems to know about Haverford which isn't a good sign.</p>
<p>I like both Philadelphia and Portland, both schools are asking the same price, and I'm honestly not quite sure how to make a decision. Does anyone have any advice they could offer me? Also, to top it all off, I'm currently on the wait-list to Brown (10% chance of getting in), I don't what I'm going to do if I get in there.</p>
<p>I think they are both phenomenal...
And yes, Haverford is definitely as strong, if not stronger, academically.
Haverford's peer assessment score is 4.2/5.0, Reed's peer score is 3.9/5.0.</p>
<p>They are both great, but have very different campus cultures.
I think that is the greatest difference, and you should attend the one you feel the greatest connection to in terms of campus culture/environment.</p>
<p>Thank you. I'm assuming you're referring to the peer assessment score from U.S. News and World Reports? I've heard that there's some collusion among colleges in regards to that. Also, Reed doesn't participate which tends to skew data towards it. </p>
<p>They both have very different cultures, I know. I don't know if I could stomach four years of being a workaholic which is why I'm not so sure if Reed is the place for me. Though the student body is intellectually very attractive. </p>
<p>I'm a senior and I'm going to Bryn Mawr next year. I live in Portland, and I took a class at Reed last semester. I really don't fit the profile of Reed students socially, and I was less experienced academically, so I was worried about doing well in a 300 level Spanish class.</p>
<p>I actually ended up getting a better impression of Reedies than I thought that I would. They seemed like they worked really hard but were very interesting people at the same time. There truly was a little bit of everything. Also, the fact that they don't show students grades at Reed keeps you focused on professors' comments. My professor put a lot of time into our class and all the thoughtful comments she wrote on our essays and I really appreciated that. I think it's an uncommon atmosphere. It's another thing to consider with Reed. It's tough, but if you're really motivated and you think you would fit in with the kind of off-beat Reed student body, it seems like an amazing place. They probably wouldn't have accepted you if you weren't able to keep up academically. </p>
<p>The neighborhood where Reed is located in Portland is a lot different than Haverford, I think. It's residential, middle class, quiet, with every necessity. But it's also funky, liberal and very Portland. It's a great place. </p>
<p>I think Haverford is a really great place, too, though. I just thought I'd give you my perspective on Reed as someone who came in with somewhat of a mistrust for it and ended up impressed. Obviously I like Haverford too and know a few people who really love it. Otherwise I wouldn't be going to Bryn Mawr :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone who's replied. Your information has been very helpful. I'm favoring Haverford right now because I want something resembling a social scene. Plus they seem just as cool as Reedies (been listening to their radio station). </p>
<p>I'm going to an accepted Haverford students meeting on Saturday so we'll see how that goes. Though I probably won't make a decision until the 23rd when Reed is having a similar meeting. </p>
<p>I never would've imagined it would be this difficult.</p>
<p>Reed, I used to live really close to Reed's campus and it is very nice. Also Portland is hands down the best city i have ever lived in. I definitely recommend you visit Reed if you haven't already.</p>
<p>Haverford is a unique college where you not only receive an excellent, stimulating undergraduate education, but you grow personally by living in a system of trust and high ethical and moral standards. I would choose Haverford. Good luck!</p>
<p>I am a parent who recently came into contact with an old elementary school classmate - the smartest boy in the class - who now chairs a liberal arts department at Swarthmore. He told me that of all colleges he would choose Haverford for his own children because of the close relationship students develop with faculty, some of whom live on campus, which facilitates an enjoyable intellectual life.</p>