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; and your understanding of Reed.
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 | Early December | Early February | Early 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 On-Campus Interview | November 15 | November 15 | November 15 | January 1 |
Transfer Deadlines
| Spring Transfer 2020 | Fall Transfer 2020 | |
| Applications Due | November 1 | Priority deadline April 1 |
| Decisions Mailed | Early December | Mid-May |
| Reply Date | December 10 | Three weeks after admission |
| Deadline to Complete Optional On-Campus Interview | November 1 | March 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 2020 | Fall Transfer 2020 | |
| File the 2020-2021 CSS Profile (all biological/adoptive parents, regardless of marital status) | November 1 | Priority deadline April 1 |
| File the 2020-2021 FAFSA | November 1 | Priority deadline April 1 |
| Upload parent and student 2018 tax documents and Verification Worksheet to IDOC (domestic students only) | November 1 | Priority deadline April 1 |
Testing Requirements
Reed requires all applicants to submit the official results of the SAT or the ACT. Results of additional tests, such as Advanced Placement (AP), SAT II (subject tests), and International Baccalaureate (IB), are optional. If test scores are recorded on your official high school transcript, Reed will consider those to be official scores.- Know Reed’s codes
- SAT 4654
- ACT 3494
- 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.