Admission

Applying to Reed

AP Guide
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Application Process and Timeline
Application FAQ
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First Year Admission
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Transfer Student Guide
Tuition & Fees

One of the questions admission counselors are most frequently asked is "What kind of student are you looking for at Reed?" There is no simple answer. Reed welcomes applications from freshman and transfer candidates who are passionate about learning, excited by ideas, oriented toward independent thought, and eager to enter an intellectual community that emphasizes student-faculty collaboration.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, but academic accomplishments are given the greatest weight in the selection process. A strong secondary school preparation, including honors and advanced courses where available, will improve a student's chance for admission. Given the wide variation in high school programs, however, there are no fixed requirements for secondary school courses. There are no "cutoff points" for high school or college grades, or for examination scores.

Reed recognizes that qualities of character -- in particular, motivation, intellectual curiosity, individual responsibility, and social consciousness -- are important considerations in the selection process, in addition to a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. The college is committed to maintaining a student body distinguished by its intellectual passion, yet diverse in its range of backgrounds, interests, and talents.