Early Decision

Early Decision (ED) is an application round that allows you to share your excitement about Reed by telling us that, if admitted, you commit to enrolling in the fall.

You can apply for Early Decision by choosing an ED round in the Common or Coalition Application and submitting an Early Decision Agreement signed by trusted advisers—a parent or guardian and your school counselor.

ED is a binding application plan for students who are ready to commit to Reed.

• You may apply to only one college through Early Decision I or Early Decision II.
• You may still apply to other schools through Early Action or Regular Decision.
• If you are admitted to Reed through an Early Decision I or Early Decision II application, you must withdraw your other applications and enroll at Reed (unless your financial aid package is not feasible).

Every year, around 95% of admitted Early Decision students affirm their agreements and enroll at Reed.

• Your ED application is the strongest way to indicate your interest and passion for Reed. Your enthusiasm is important to admission professionals, and an ED application shows us you are serious about joining our community. 
  • Early Decision students embody what a past student body president said about her experience at Reed: “I found a community that embraced me. I wanted to embrace it back.”
• Complete the college application process by November 1 (ED I) or January 15 (ED II) and enjoy the rest of your senior year with less stress.
• If you are admitted to Reed, your ED application guarantees that you will get your first or second choice of residence hall. 
• The admission rate for ED applicants is higher than other application rounds.
  • Why? It comes down to mutual enthusiasm. We want to bring students to Reed who are excited about being part of this community. Those students tend to be highly involved on campus, furthering the vitality and culture of Reed.

Both options are identical in how your application is reviewed. The only difference is timing.

Early Decision I (ED I)

• Apply by November 1
• Receive your decision in December
• Reply within two weeks of receiving your decision
• Suggested interview deadline: November 15

Early Decision II (ED II)

• Apply by January 15
• Receive your decision in February
• Reply within two weeks of receiving your decision
• Suggested interview deadline: January 31

• Early Decision: Binding. Best for students who are ready to commit to Reed as their first choice.
• Early Action: Non-binding. Apply early and keep your options open.
• Regular Decision: More time to apply and compare offers before deciding.

Learn more about the difference between these application options.

At Reed, Early Decision candidates are twice as likely to gain admission, in part because they demonstrate a strong and clear fit.

Students admitted in the Early Decision round have the same academic preparation and qualifications as admitted students in other decision rounds. We look for the same qualities in an ED student as we would in a non-ED student when evaluating an application.

You may apply Early Decision to only one college, but are welcome to submit applications to other colleges through Early Action or Regular Decision.

If you are admitted to Reed, you are expected to withdraw your other college applications.

Yes, international students are welcome to apply through Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision.

• Select Early Decision I or II as your application round in the Common or Coalition Application.
• Submit your application by November 1 (ED I) or January 15 (ED II).
• Early Decision I applicants will receive their decision in December; Early Decision II applicants will receive their decision in February.
• Discuss your intention to apply Early Decision with your family and school counselor.
• Submit the Early Decision Agreement through the Common or Coalition Application. Your parent or guardian and school counselor will also sign the agreement form.
• If you intend to apply for financial aid, submit your FAFSA and CSS Profile by the Early Decision deadline.

Reed meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. This is true whether you apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision. 

The Quick Cost Estimator can give you a ballpark estimate, before you apply, of what your family might be expected to contribute.

If you apply for financial aid, you will submit the same materials as any other applicant. Our financial aid team will work with you to ensure your information is complete and accurate.

With Reed’s Early Decision Aid Review, you and your family can receive an estimated need-based financial aid package by November 1—giving you clarity and confidence as you take this important step.

If your financial aid offer does not meet your family’s needs, you are not locked in. You can speak with our financial aid office, and if the package is not feasible, you will be released from your Early Decision agreement.

Learn About Early Decision Aid Review

• Your admission counselor would be happy to talk with you, your family, and your counselor about applying Early Decision. You can email admission@reed.edu to be connected with your admission counselor. 
• You should also connect with your family and college counselor—people who know you very well and can help you think about whether Reed and ED are a good match for what you’re looking for in college and how you want to apply.
• If you’d like to speak with Reedies who applied Early Decision, we’ll put you in touch. Current students can talk with you about their application and decision-making process and help you think through yours. To connect with current students about their choice to apply Early Decision (or anything else!), you can email writeareedie@reed.edu.

• Think about what information you need to make this critical decision. It usually falls into three categories: academic program, community, and shared values.
• You can learn more about academics at Reed by exploring our major-related pages, browsing faculty profiles, and reading about students’ senior theses. 
• Reed’s vibrant campus life is student-built and student-governed. With an active student group scene, events and outings, traditions like Paideia, and our setting in Portland, your college experience will be shaped by the campus and the local community. 
• Honor. Inclusivity. Intellectual inquiry. Our shared values bring Reedies together and make Reed what it is.