What Is Bugging Me About Reed

<p>I know the thread has been inactive for a while, but I thought I might as well chime in: I’m a junior at Reed right now. I think I can speak to a few things.</p>

<p>1) Minors</p>

<p>Reed does not have minors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “create your own.” I’m a physics major, but I’ve taken five classes through the Chinese department (some lit, some language, some history), and plan to take at least one more. (Song dynasty history, religion, and poetry! I’m excited.) A friend of mine who graduated last year was a physics major who did lots of studio art classes. A word about studio art — the program strikes me as really unusual but thoroughly excellent. Oddly enough, it seems like one of the more practical programs.</p>

<p>2) Math. </p>

<p>I’m taking a 400-level (essentially graduate school material) math elective, and doing research with a math professor. Math at reed strongly resembles the math that professional mathematicians do. (This is also true of U Chicago, for what it’s worth.) To wit, I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a mathematician while here — but lots of math majors take upper division classes in the physics department, because physicists heavily rely on computation, where as (if I may generalize) mathematicians see computation as secondary to understanding. There’s a great class in the physics department which is basically “all the math you need for a career in physics” (unless you’re a theorist, in which case you need a bit more) – when I took it, we covered differential equations, linear algebra, Fourier analysis, and other good stuff.</p>

<p>That being said, not many people can know while still in high school whether they like mathematician’s math; if you would like to peruse, though, Reed’s 100 level math sequence is here: [Math</a> 111 and Math 112 Course Notes: Reed College](<a href=“http://people.reed.edu/~mayer/]Math”>Math 111 and Math 112 Course Notes: Reed College), its 200-level math sequence is here: [Course</a> notes for multivariable calculus](<a href=“http://people.reed.edu/~jerry/211/vcalc.html]Course”>http://people.reed.edu/~jerry/211/vcalc.html), and an example of an upper division math class is here: people.reed.edu/~davidp/homepage/321.pdf. (As an aside, the last of these has a chapter called “celebrity deathmatch,” referring to the integral as defined by Riemann and Lebesgue and which is more versatile. I find Reed professors have charming senses of humour.) </p>

<p>3) SATs
I got a 2340. I do not feel out of place at Reed. If you like data, College board research says that the correlation between SAT+high school GPA and college GPA is 0.62. Reed has a division called Institutional Research that crunches admissions stats vs. how kids do here, and we do a lot better than that. I think it’s great that Reed is willing to admit kids that are brilliant but bad at taking standardized tests; I suspect lots of other schools would love to have such students, but are worried about hurting their rankings.</p>

<p>4) Money</p>

<p>Reed’s financial aid office can be capricious. I personally do not believe an undergraduate education is worth 200k, unless you view that sum strictly as an investment and your daughter plans to go into certain areas of high finance (in which case, silly as it is, that 200k pays itself off very quickly). Reed is a wonderful place, but many other schools are too. </p>

<p>5) Smoking (as if it hasn’t been discussed in this thread)</p>

<p>My suspicion is this is actually Portland’s influence on Reed. Reedies and Portlanders dress absurdly, smoke more and get more piercings than the average American, tend to be left-of-centre, and so on. My home city was the first in North America to ban smoking in restaurants; in this respect Portland was a bit of a culture shock. That being said, in my experience the smoker population seems larger than it is — because they all have to be outside thanks to a certain state law.
Many of my friends will point to smoking as the thing they dislike most about Reed, and campus surveys show more people are annoyed by smokers than smoke themselves. I feel that Reed has blessed me in a lot of ways, and while I’d prefer if people would smoke less, I can’t say it’s bothered me all that much during my time here.</p>

<p>6) fit
The strongest reasons were that its academic strengths matched my interests, and I felt the community was an extraordinary one — people whom I love living and studying with. Your daughter should go somewhere where she’ll be challenged by her classes and enriched by her peers. The admissions process is a hard one, I know; I wish you and your daughter the best of luck.</p>

<p>Unitofobscurity, what an excellent and constructive post. :)</p>

<p>Correction to the original post.</p>

<p>Truly intellectual colleges? HYP, Stanford, Columbia, Dartmouth, UPenn, all VERY intellectual obviously. Intellect is their priority, it’s the precise reason they got into a school that prestigious. St. Johns and New College of Florida are very high ranked schools that are unconventionally brilliant. Also, Claremont McKenna students are brilliant, just, in a different way.</p>

<p>Brilliant (distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness) is not intellectual (having or showing the ability to easily learn or understand things or to deal with new or difficult situations). Brilliant is more test scores and grades; intellectual is more attitude.</p>

<p>To op. just wondering if you considered bowdoin. On paper it seems like a great place to me. </p>

<p>I can relate to doing a little legwork b4 handing over 200000. I have state prepaid so the price discrepancy becomes even greater. Lol.</p>

<p>About smoking: Not specific to Reed but at some peer schools, I’ve been amazed to see students taking a smoke break on the lawn outside the Honors College. </p>

<p>My impression the first time was that this was some sort of affectation, and maybe even a way to try and make a statement to other students about the extreme cool factor of the Honors College members and make a public display of their “belonging”. </p>

<p>I remember thinking “how silly”, as did my daughter who was touring with me. I’m certain our tour guides were aware that this was creating an odd juxtaposition: talking about the fabulousness of the Honors College while we parents and touring students looked on doubtfully. Yes, we’re anti-smoking snobs, but there you have it.</p>

<p>Not sure if this characterization applies to Reed.</p>

<p>Definition of “intellectual”: I’m a fan of Reed and I think what is meant by this, in this context, is an eagerness to talk about ideas. Some kids get high SATs but don’t care to share their thoughts about things. Students who like to ponder in a group might find Reed fits.</p>

<p>OP here. My D ended up not applying to Reed. Factors that kept us away:</p>

<ul>
<li>My D tends to be a little flakey. Honestly, I felt like four years at Reed would increase that part of her personality, which I think is not something I am hoping will happen during her college years.</li>
<li>Inability to double major, and difficulty in studying abroad.</li>
<li>The drug use at Reed does bug me. Campus paper listed all campus police calls over a couple of months, and it was one big cat & mouse game regarding smelling pot/not finding or confiscating anything. Like, a call every few days. Administration may SAY they are taking action, but this was evidence that nothing concrete is happening.</li>
<li>Cost. No merit aid. My D was accepted EA at U of Chicago with merit… tell me again why Reed is worth full price over that experience?</li>
</ul>

<p>I am sure Reed is great for many students. And we do love Portland. But we felt like she could get an intellectual experience other places without these drawbacks.</p>

<p>I’m sure I speak for others when I wish your daughter the best at U of Chicago. It is a great school.</p>

<p>However, there are drawbacks at all schools. My D, a Reed alumna, was accepted in the PHD program at U of C. After visiting, she decided to take it off her top 5 list for 2 reasons. The first was that most PHD candidates in her field took between 7 to 9 years to complete their programs. The second was she found the armed police force on each street corner around campus a bit overwhelming. She was informed that the university has the largest (non-military) private police force in the world. You can draw you own conclusions about that. She decided to opt for a better quality of life.</p>

<p>Our Reed '09 daughter had no trouble whatsoever, none, studying abroad. Sophomore Spring semester is ideal, fitting in well with the Reed progression.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/628524-study-abroad-reed.html?highlight=abroad[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/628524-study-abroad-reed.html?highlight=abroad&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>My impression from this thread and from our campus visit is that a physics major will have trouble studying abroad and finishing in 4 years because of junior year quals and senior thesis. Some of Ds other schools have been able to specifically address study abroad for physics majors. Didn’t get that impression from Reed. This in itself is not a deal breaker. But it was one factor that added up to her decision not to apply.</p>

<p>The smoking of cigarettes on campus was a major reason why my daughter decided not to apply to Reed. It was a big turn-off for her, and she did not encounter a lot of smoking at any other small LAC she visited, including those that “compete” with Reed for students. Too bad. My daughter thought Reed was otherwise a wonderful school.</p>

<p>Smoking is a major pain for those of us who do not smoke. Walking out of the library is walking through a haze.</p>

<p>Lots I love about Reed but think hard. Profs are great but you have to go to them; they will not reach out to you. Weather can get dreary and I like the rain! It’s really an intense place - for good and not.</p>

<p>1) OP intparent appears to be an overprotective mother who did not bother to read the catalogue on study abroad for physics majors. It states:</p>

<p>“Because of the hierarchical nature of the required courses, physics majors who study abroad should plan on completing some of their math and physics requirements while abroad. The physics department recommends that students who elect to study abroad do so during their sophomore year.” [Reed</a> College | International Programs | International Programs](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ipo/cip.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/ipo/cip.html)</p>

<p>This is roughly what poster vonlost said above regarding a Reed '09 daughter in post #49 above.</p>

<p>Further OP stated: “Campus paper listed all campus police calls over a couple of months…” This must in reference to another college like the University of Chicago and its paper The Chicago Maroon which does list the crime report of its police force. </p>

<p>2) Campus paper did state in post #14 above:</p>

<p>“Almost 25% of Reedies smoke, according to a survey conducted in the 2010-11 academic year, while 40% of students said they were bothered by others smoking.”</p>

<p>If the survey was done correctly, then 35% of students who don’t smoke are NOT bothered by others smoking. Smoking is a major problem for non-smokers if the majority of those who don’t smoke are bothered by second hand smoke. There is an obvious need to ban smoking on campus as the majority of non-smokers are annoyed or harmed.</p>

<p>rhg3rd, no need to insult other posters just because you do not agree with them. It was actually the “Reed College Quest” that I was reading. It was the “CSO Blotter” section. So they are not actually “police reports”, they are calls to campus security. But the statistics and issue still stands.</p>

<p>And while the catalog states that study abroad CAN be done, my impression from talking with students and other posters here is that it is quite difficult with a Physics major.</p>

<p>@intparent I’m sorry I’m not following you with: “no need to insult other posters just because you do not agree with them.” You want a college for your daughter that “finds” and “confiscates” marijuana when someone reports “smelling pot.” That is being overprotective.</p>

<p>A double major in physics and in art with study abroad is a five plan anywhere. UChicago’s physics department is like most. Missing a term messes up course sequences for courses that are taught only once a year. Try a large state university like Illinois that teaches all undergrad physics courses twice a year if your D hopes to go to physics grad school. [Course</a> Listing: Spring 2013 | Department of Physics at the U of I](<a href=“http://physics.illinois.edu/courses/]Course”>http://physics.illinois.edu/courses/)</p>

<p>Don’t really need your college search advice, rhg3rd. We are all set, thanks. I don’t think it is asking too much to not have several reports PER DAY to the campus security about this without one actual positive result (positive from a parent’s perspective, and I assume an administration perspective as well).</p>

<p>The security on campus with regards to partying and stuff seems a little bit too</p>

<p>lax haha sorry about that post getting</p>

<p>chopped up. lol it happened again</p>

<p>^“The security on campus with regards to partying and stuff seems a little bit too lax”</p>

<p>Wrong! Don’t believe any of the falsehoods concocted by OP intparent in postings #'s 47, 54 & 56 above.</p>

<p>For example in #47 OP claims:
“Campus paper listed all campus police calls over a couple of months, and it was one big cat & mouse game regarding smelling pot/not finding or confiscating anything. Like, a call every few days. Administration may SAY they are taking action, but this was evidence that nothing concrete is happening.”</p>

<p>There are NO LISTINGS like this in the campus paper. It is shear fabrication. Who would read or publish a newspaper with listings of calls reporting pot was smelled? The campus is patrolled by security officers called Community Safety Officers (“CSOs”) who issue violations of drug and alcohol laws and college policies.</p>

<p>“Clery Act” crime statistics reporting is listed here: [Reed</a> College | Community Safety | Crime Statistics](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/community_safety/crime/crime_statistics.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/community_safety/crime/crime_statistics.html) The report also includes disciplinary referrals for drug and alcohol violations. In 2011, college security officers issued 165 drug violations and 73 liquor violations, where there is amnesty for those needing medical assistance. Minor marijuana and liquor violations on campus are handled internally as disciplinary actions, but anything involving drug felonies is referred to local police. This is pursuant to the following agreement with the city police department: <a href=“http://www.reed.edu/community_safety/informationpolicies/PartnershipAgreement%20PPB%2008212012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.reed.edu/community_safety/informationpolicies/PartnershipAgreement%20PPB%2008212012.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The college’s paper DID have an article about the arrest of two students where 2-3 pounds of marijuana was seized on campus. [Student</a> Arrest Sparks Outrage - The Quest | The Free Press of Reed College](<a href=“http://www.reedquest.org/2012/02/student-arrest-sparks-outrage/]Student”>http://www.reedquest.org/2012/02/student-arrest-sparks-outrage/). Clearly there is NO “one big cat & mouse game regarding smelling pot/not finding or confiscating anything.” This characterization is wholly based on the contrivances of an overprotective mother OP, who is plainly ignorant of this college. Anyone who believes that the college is permissive either of drugs or alcohol or is a party school should go elsewhere.</p>