Tell me a little bit more about Reed

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
1

I am just curious about the strength of the academic programs for political science and foreign language. I am interested in working in the foreign service and have a desire to either double major in IR and Political Science or specialize my Poli Sci degree in IR.

I also am curious about the admissions process, academic expectations, and their emphasis on test scores.Personally, I am open to all kinds of insight on Reed, so I am all ears…

2

Reed is an unusual mix. It’s a very funky and alternative place in some ways, yet it is also very traditional and conservative in others.

In terms of admissions, they still strictly require the SAT or ACT; they have not gone test-optional. All applicants have to submit test scores, and the scores for enrolled students are relatively high (average SAT = 2055, average ACT = 31).

Reed historically had a reputation for higher acceptance rates, and more holistic admissions, than most top liberal arts colleges. However, this may be changing; the applicant pool has grown significantly over just the past few years, and the acceptance rate has been dropping in tandem. It was down to 31% for Fall 2019, which is still high by top LAC standards, but the lowest rate in Reed’s history. Don’t know about the Fall 2020 rate yet.

Reed does not charge an application fee, so there may not be much to lose by applying.

3

Thanks for the insight. I appreciate it. I figured if I would apply it would be on a whim of wishful thinking. Given that my SAT score is roughly 150 pts lower than that.

I am still curious about the strength of the programs I mentioned. I get the feeling that the school is really focused more toward science and the creative arts rather than Political Science.

4

How strict are they with the test score standards? I am wondering what it is that they are looking for in students that are in the bottom 25% of their admit pool for SAT test scores.

5

How Reed rates applications (no indication that it’s changed):

http://www.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring2008/features/many_apply/5.html

6

From the 2008 article cited in the post above:

There were 5,705 applicants for Fall 2016.

7

We have one IR professor. He is very good. Sometimes he goes on leave to consult on nuclear security. When that happens, you’re somewhat screwed. The political science department is generally good at Reed. I hear particularly good things about political theory. We have no IR major.

French and Russian are exceptional at Reed; both departments have wowed me, and many students echo this sentiment. I must warn you, though: Reed is more interested in teaching literature than teaching languages. In terms of advanced sensibilities Reed expects you to simply “pick things up” through study abroad and close study of literature, which can be taxing, but rewarding. You may end up with a more fin-de-siècle sensibility of French, but it makes picking up the language a bit easier.