Applying to Reed
Each year, Reed enrolls students who will contribute to—and benefit from—our distinctive academic and social environment.
We admit students who are serious about intellectual inquiry and scholarship, who will thrive in a conference-style classroom or lab, who will honor the diversity of thought that comes with a range of philosophical and cultural differences, and who will be passionate about pursuing their own interests and questions. While we do not require a specific set of secondary school courses, the most competitive applicants have pursued the most demanding program of study available to them at the secondary level.
Admission is based on a close examination of your credentials, including your academic performance; your unique accomplishments, pursuits, and perspective.
Reed does not charge an application fee.
Application Deadlines
| Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Early Action | Regular Decision | |
| Applications Due | November 15 | December 20 | November 15 | January 15 |
| Decisions Mailed | December | February | February | April 1 |
| Reply Date | Within 2 weeks of admission or 10 days of receipt of financial aid, whichever is later | Within 2 weeks of admission or 10 days of receipt of financial aid, whichever is later | May 1 | May 1 |
| Deadline to Complete Optional Interview | December 1 | December 31 | December 10 | February 1 |
Transfer Deadlines
| Spring Transfer 2021 | Fall Transfer 2021 | |
| Applications Due | November 15 |
Priority deadline: March 1 Regular deadline: May 1 |
| Decisions Mailed | Early December |
Priority deadline: mid-May Regular deadline: mid-June |
| Reply Date | December 10 | Three weeks after admission |
| Deadline to Complete Optional Interview | November 15 |
Priority deadline: March 15 Regular deadline: May 15 |
Financial Aid Deadlines
| Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Early Action | Regular Decision | |
| File the 2020-2021 CSS Profile (all biological/adoptive parents, regardless of marital status) | November 15 | December 20 | November 15 | January 15 |
| File the 2020-2021 FAFSA | November 15 | December 20 | November 15 | January 15 |
| Upload parent and student 2018 tax documents and Verification Worksheet to IDOC (domestic students only) | November 22 | December 20 | November 22 | January 15 |
Transfer Financial Aid Deadlines
| Spring Transfer 2021 | Fall Transfer 2021 | |
| File the 2020-2021 CSS Profile (all biological/adoptive parents, regardless of marital status) | November 15 | Regular deadline: May 1 |
| File the 2020-2021 FAFSA | November 15 | Regular deadline: May 1 |
| Upload parent and student 2018 tax documents and Verification Worksheet to IDOC (domestic students only) | November 15 | Regular deadline: May 1 |
Testing Requirements
- Reed will not require nor use testing results from the SAT or ACT in our admission review for the fall 2021 and fall 2022 cycles. International students who do not speak English at home or who attend a school where the language of instruction is not English are encouraged to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. Results of additional tests, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)might be submitted for Reed credits upon enrollment.
- Know Reed’s codes
- TOEFL 4654
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Community safety at Reed is responsible for overall security on the Reed campus and issues the disclosures required by the Clery Act in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. A physical copy of the report can be obtained at Reed's community safety office in building 28 West on the Reed campus.