<p>My high school junior S really wants to go to Reed. He has visited and interviewed (which he thought went very well) and will probably apply early decision. He got a 2120 on his SAT (730 CR, 610 M, 780 W) and has gotten an 800 on SAT II World History. This will look good, of course. His problem is that he is one of those kids who studies harder outside of school then inside, except for courses he really likes. His weighted GPA--which is all his school calculates--is 3.46. Unweighted would probably be closer to 3.3. He goes to a top 50-100 ranked public high school in the Washington DC metro area (Fairfax County, VA) and has taken 4 AP courses. He got an A and a 5 in the one he did last year and is taking 3 more this year. He plans to take 3 more next year. He won District honors for playing the saxophone this year, is in concert band and has been in marching band since his freshman year. He is very interested in politics, reads books like "Stop This Depression Now" by Paul Krugman for fun, has read everything written by Hunter S. Thompson, is a serious "serious" movie buff, and is currently interested in going into political science and/or international relations. My question is, given his grades, does he really have a shot at Reed? </p>
<p>OP, there’s a chance forum that you should bring your question to. That’s what the people there do. Good luck.</p>
<p>I’ll answer here anyway. Honestly, his math score is low – if he can study hard over the summer to retake at his first opportunity in the fall and get it at least up to the 650 range, his chances would go up. He does sound like the Reed type. 
If you can take the chance financially (since you can’t compare aid packages across college), he should apply ED if it is still truly his first choice in the fall.</p>
<p>Other possible schools that have some of the same vibe: Hampshire, Bard (but he will also want to work on that math score), New College of Florida, Pitzer, maybe Warren Wilson.</p>
<p>Much of his chances would depend on his Why Reed essay and showing interest.</p>
<ol>
<li> Have you checked whether Reed is affordable (see <a href=“Net Price Calculator”>Net Price Calculator; )?</li>
<li> Does he have an affordable safety that he likes?</li>
</ol>
<p>S will not need to seek financial aid. He likes Goucher, which he could probably get into, also Beloit and Puget Sound, which are a bit more selective.</p>