<p>I've read that it's an amazing school. I like the fact that it's very academically oriented and has such an open-minded atmosphere about it.</p>
<p>However, as I've been researching it more and more, I've come across a few disturbing claims about the school: </p>
<p>1) Huge drug problem
2) Apathetic professors who will sit back and watch as a student sinks or swims
3) Stuck up student body </p>
<p>I know I'm going to have to visit this school before I decide if I want to go there or not, but if you go or went to Reed or know someone who did, I'd love it if you could address some of these issues, as I'm not sure I'll be able to get the truth about them from a day trip. </p>
<p>What exactly do you mean by this? When I was looking at Reed, I also came upon this statement many times without really thinking about what it is implying since the term “drug problem” is pretty ambiguous. Do you mean students here smoke a lot of weed? Sure, but lots of other schools have the same “problem” and most of us don’t let it get in the way of our schoolwork. Do you mean students drink? Of course we do, but again, it happens at most other schools. Or do you mean more students here partake in hard drugs? Psychoactive drugs are the most intense things most students here will do, but we use them responsibly and in a spiritual and intellectual manner rather than to get “****ed up.” You will probably never meet someone on campus who does cocaine, heroin, meth, etc.</p>
<p>2) Apathetic professors who will sit back and watch as a student sinks or swims</p>
<p>In college, it is up to the student to determine his/her own success. However, all of my professors have been very helpful and stress the point that they have office hours throughout the week if students need help, or just want to have an intellectual discussion.</p>
<p>3) Stuck up student body</p>
<p>While this exists at every college to some extent, I would not say that Reedies are stuck up. We enjoy intellectual conversations and have them often, whether it be a wednesday night while studying or at a party on a saturday. Does this often come off as being stuck up? Yes. However, we simply enjoy learning at all times.</p>
<p>1) It’s not there if you don’t go looking for it. Weed and alcohol are by far the most prevalent drugs, like pretty much any college campus. However, students tend to be more responsible about it as they are bound by the honor principle. Yes, some students do harder drugs but they are in the minority.
2) I strongly disagree with this. Professors are brilliant, awesome and willing to help students succeed. It’s not unusual for them to invite student over for dinner at their house. Some are a little more aloof than others but more likely due to their own social awkwardness than indifference.
3) You are going to come across some stuck up people but I wouldn’t say it categorizes the student body as a whole. However, you are dealing with overeducated 18-22 year olds who generally like to talk (and can start running their mouths)-- it doesn’t necessarily equal being stuck up, but can be easily confused.</p>
<p>1) So not true. Unless you actively seek out people who do the hard drugs you never even see/hear about them. The prevalence of alcohol and weed depends on what dorm you live in and who you hang out with. Otherwise, I think you don’t even have to worry about “avoiding” drugs because it’s never in your face.</p>
<p>2) PROFESSORS ARE THE BEST! They are straightforward and honest, but they have really genuine and sincere intentions to help and they want to make sure you truly understand the material. They will take plenty of time to go through with the material with you whether it’s during office hours or not. They are all mostly really good at email too. All of my professors usually respond within the hour. Of course, whether someone sinks or swims is completely up to him/her.</p>
<p>3) If being stuck up includes being too into themselves and their own weirdness then yes, Reed students are generally stuck up. Most are usually friendly if you try hard to talk to them (or pretend not to try hard because it’s socially cooler <em>rolls eyes</em>). There are a good amount of kids who are really socially awkward/introverted/shy, but keep in mind that they like it that way and do not desire to change any time soon. One more thing to keep in mind is that style of dress actually does matter. It’s sort of the opposite of the “outside world” though because the more shabbier/dirtier/hippier/hipster-y you dress the more socially accepted you are. Some like to preach that they don’t judge by appearances, but everyone does. </p>
<p>Visiting really does make a difference, but make sure you spend enough time to really gauge whether it’s the right place for you! Good luck!</p>
<p>While I have not been on campus, I have talked to those who have and there are locations on campus that you can get high just walking through. I think Reed is well known for drug usage.</p>
<p>^Those locations consist of most of the campus, provided you’re not walking through in broad daylight or when CSOs happen to be driving by.</p>
<p>We are certainly well known for this, but it’s not a bigger problem here than at most other colleges. The real difference is that most Reedies happen to be responsible with what they are using and do not feel the need to do them in such a shady manner.</p>
<p>Also I realize it shows I obviously do not / have not gone to Reed. That said, before I transfered to UH, I lived in SE Portland, and was friends with a number of Reedies. Also, my partner graduated from Haverford in 2005, and from what she has told me, recreational drug use was a prominent aspect at Haverford as well.</p>
<p>1) Huge drug problem
Reedies have an interesting perspective on drug use. For starters, most people who have no objection to pot, alcohol, acid, cigarettes, or shrooms do not condone meth, heroine, or cocaine. Second of all, people are more concerned with students seeking help when they need it than being penalized. Because of this, students will sometimes write the time, type of drug, and dosage they took on their arm so that, in the case of an emergency, the paramedics know exactly how to treat them. The result is that, however prevalent the drug culture may be or seem, there are very few deaths. Also, there is as little pressure to not do drugs as there is to do drugs: one is totally capable of being friends with people who drink/smoke/trip and not participating, and vice versa.</p>
<p>2) Apathetic professors who will sit back and watch as a student sinks or swims</p>
<p>In a lot of the larger classes, especially intro science classes, the professor to student ratio is pretty large (I’ve never heard of a school with small intro bio classes). The professors will not seek you out, but they will still bend over backwards to help you with a hangnail of a problem if only you <em>ask them</em>. Seriously. Just ask. You will only sink if you don’t say anything. Also, apathetic is the last word I would use to describe these professors. If anything, they care more than is healthy for them. Finally, if the professors can’t help you, Reed offers one hour of free tutoring per student per week, which can help even the most confused students get back on track.
3) Stuck up student body
Reed students are more awkward than the standard human being. Intellect, hipsterness, and creativity are very highly valued socially, and people like to show them off (Halloween here is awesome by the way, the costumes are so witty!). These values, combined with the aforementioned awkwardness, can come off as stuck up.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Not really.</p></li>
<li><p>The complete opposite of the truth in my experience.</p></li>
<li><p>I have no idea what this even means.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don’t know where you heard these things, but points 1 and 2 are very outdated misconceptions, while point 3 is…? I don’t know. Not true.</p>