<p>Hi! So . . . I noticed that Reed's 4-year graduation rate was about 60%. This is pretty distant from schools that otherwise would be considered peer schools. The question is, how can a school with a pretty good reputation have such a dismal 4-year grad rate? Especially when it's accepting kids with such high GPAs and scores?</p>
<p>It's below Lewis and Clark; Whitman; the Claremont colleges, Willamette, Puget Sound. </p>
<p>How can it be an "elite" school and have such poor grad rate? Further, how is financial aid handled there so that the extra years of school are factored in? </p>
<p>Regarding financial aid. it is my impression that financial aid is offered for four years of attendance.
Students who take longer to graduate as my daughter did, may be spending time elsewhere.</p>
<p>Reed is a difficult school, and more importantly, it’s not for everyone. Some people take time off, others still transfer out or never graduate. That’s it. There is no big mystery. If my explanation runs counter to your definition of an elite school, then feel free to consider Reed a non-elite school.</p>
<p>Reed is one of the schools where taking time off is common; comparing six-year graduation rates may be more informative. Still, Reed is indeed one of the hardest schools, up there with Swarthmore and UChicago; some choose not to work so hard, so go elsewhere. Unavailable classes is not a reason for delayed graduation at Reed. Financial aid is given for eight semesters, not four consecutive years. </p>