At Reed College, you'll join a community that values intellectual curiosity, rigorous scholarship, creative thinking, and engaged citizenship.
We welcome students from all backgrounds who are passionate about exploring hard questions and never settle for easy answers. If Reed sounds like the place for you, learn how to apply today.
Steps to Apply to Reed College
Learn about application deadlines: We offer multiple deadlines if you are applying early decision, early action, or regular decision. View important dates and deadlines.
Identify your student applicant type: First-year, transfer, international, and visiting applicants will apply using one of the two application platforms. If you are an auditing or non-degree student, contact Reed’s admission office.
Choose your application platform: All first-year applicants can choose to complete either the Common Application or the Coalition for College Application. If you are a transfer or visiting applicant, you must apply using the Common Application.
Gather important information and materials: What you'll need to submit will depend on your student type. Review what's required and make sure you have everything you need to complete your application.
Create an account and fill out your application: Both types of applications require a Reed writing supplement. Review your answers carefully and then submit!
Apply via the Common Application or the Coalition for College platforms. Learn about early decision (ED), college credit for high school courses, and more.
College transcripts for any college you have attended
Counselor recommendation and school report completed by your counselor
Two teacher evaluations
Self-reported SAT or ACT scores, if available (neither will be used in our evaluation)
Additional materials may be required depending on your applicant type, application platform, and other circumstances.
Reed Writing Supplement
As part of your application, Reed College requests a writing supplement of up to 500 words. The writing supplement may be submitted via the Common or Coalition Application or emailed to admission@reed.edu. In your supplement, we ask that you address the following question:
For one week at the end of January, Reed students upend the traditional classroom hierarchy and teach classes about any topic they love, academic or otherwise. This week is known as Paideia, after the Greek term signifying “education”—the complete education of mind, body, and spirit. What would you teach that would contribute to the Reed community?
Testing Requirements
Reed will neither require nor use testing results from the SAT or ACT in our admission review. Results of additional tests, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) may be submitted for Reed credits upon enrollment.
Taking either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System assessment (IELTS), or Duolingo is strongly encouraged for international students who do not speak English at home or who attend a school where the language of instruction is not English. The average internet-based TOEFL score for international students entering Reed is 110.
Reed College test code TOEFL 4654
Optional Interview
An admission interview gives you the opportunity to share more about your interests, experiences, and academic journey while getting to know Reed beyond the application. We encourage you to ask questions and learn more about our community during this one-on-one conversation. Explore our Interview FAQ to learn more.
Interviews are optional and offered to high school seniors, second-semester juniors, and transfer students. International students can interview by invitation only. Students may interview on campus, virtually, or at select off-campus events, depending on availability.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Early Action
Regular Decision
Applications Due
November 1
January 15
November 1
January 15
Decisions Mailed
December
March
February
April 1
Reply Date
Within 2 weeks of admission
Within 2 weeks of admission
May 1
May 1
Deadline to Complete Optional Interview
November 15
January 31
December 1
February 1
Learn about Financial Aid
Have questions about how much a Reed education will cost? We meet 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, international or domestic, for all four years.
Reed College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or familial status, military status, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, status as a parent, family relationship, or any other category protected by law. The college’s Title IX policy and procedures may be found on our Title IX web page. Inquiries may be directed to the college's Title IX Coordinator by email at title-ix@reed.edu, by phone at 503-517-4842, or on campus in Eliot 108A. Inquiries may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education. Read the full Notice of Nondiscrimination.
