Admission

Office of Admission COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

How can I learn more about Reed from afar during this time?

We would love to speak with you. Set up a virtual meeting with a current student, an admission counselor, financial aid counselor or other Reed community member.

You can meet with an admission counselor, talk with a current student, join an online information session, take a live virtual tour with a student, sit in on a virtual class, join us for special programming, or watch some of our recorded sessions here.

Finally, spend some time on our website or join one of the events scheduled for the campus community, we'll get you signed up.

My grades were impacted by the pandemic. How can I communicate that to colleges?

In addition to the information we receive from high schools, students may provide information on how the pandemic impacted them in the Community Disruption section of the application. Students may also contact their admission counselor.

Will Reed’s SAT/ACT testing requirement change?

Reed is now test-blind, meaning we will neither require nor use testing results from the SAT or ACT in our admission review for the fall 2022, 2023, and 2024 cycles.

We invite students to submit or self-report completed test scores for the sake of future policy evaluation. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Will I be at a disadvantage in the admission process if I’m unable to sit for AP or IB exams?

No, AP and IB scores are a welcome part of the application process, but not required.

Where can I find information about Orientation?

Visit the New Students page to learn about Orientation, Academic Planning, and Pre-orientation Experiences.

When is the deposit deadline?

The first deposit of $400 is due by May 1 for Early Action and Regular Decision students; sooner for Early Decision candidates. The deposit reserves your place in the class and will enable you to register for housing and classes on time.

A second $400 deposit is due by June 1 for all students. If you have questions or concerns about the deposit deadlines, please contact admission@reed.edu.

Can I defer my admission?

Admitted first-year students may request to defer entrance for one year once they have paid their first $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit.

Students who wish to request deferred entrance must send a written detailed plan for the deferral year to the Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid by email (admission@reed.edu) by June 1. Deferral requests will not be considered without an enrollment deposit.

Approximately 50 percent of deferral requests are granted. Transfer students and students admitted from the waitlist are not eligible for deferral except under certain circumstances.

Can I have more time to decide?

Under specific conditions we may grant an extension for the decision deadline. Contact your admission counselor for more information.

My family’s financial situation has changed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Am I able to get more financial aid?

Please contact financial.aid@reed.edu to learn more about the financial aid appeal process. You may also register for a virtual meeting with a financial aid counselor.

If you do not see your questions listed here, please contact the Admission Office or the Financial Aid Office.

Do you have contingency plans to manage an on-campus outbreak?

Yes. Our COVID-19 Task Force meets weekly to discuss the ongoing pandemic, the impact on our campus community, and to monitor local, regional, state, and national reports.

If you'd like more information about how the administration enacted health and safety measures, visit this page.

Will Reed require students to be vaccinated?

The college will require all students to be vaccinated for the 2021–22 academic year with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization. The college must also follow Oregon law in permitting students to request exemption from this vaccination requirement for medical or non-medical reasons. We will add updated information on how students may respond to this new requirement and any additional updates on college policy and recommendations regarding vaccination to the vaccine FAQ in the coming weeks. We are still assessing the most appropriate policy approach regarding vaccination requirements for faculty and staff.

If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine requirement, please contact the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group.

To see how the admission office has communicated with families, see our page.

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