We ask that you submit a Waitlist Reply Form within three weeks of receiving the waitlist notification email. When submitting the form, you will be asked to provide a brief statement of intent that gives some context for your decision to remain on the waitlist. This statement is required and will be read by your admission counselor and considered as part of your larger application.
Early Admission
Students who wish to enter Reed College before completing high school may apply for Early Admission. Early Admission applicants follow the same application procedures as first-year applicants, with the following additional requirements:
- Outstanding high school record (which makes clear the applicant has exhausted the educational opportunities available at their high school)
- Application to Reed under the Regular Decision plan (Early Admission applicants are not eligible to apply Early Decision)
- Letter from a high school counselor or principal supporting the plan to leave high school early to enter college
- Interview with a Reed representative
Early Admission applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note the federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma, a GED, or a state certification in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds.
Home-Schooled Applicants
Applicants enrolled in home-school programs follow the same application procedures as first-year or transfer applicants, with the following additional requirements:
- School Report Form completed by the applicant’s parents or the home-school facilitator and submitted with the application
- Comprehensive list of the books and texts read over the four years of high school, including novels, textbooks, and other resources
- At least one letter of recommendation from a tutor, evaluator, or teacher who is not a family member
In addition, Reed recommends the following:
- Interview with a Reed representative
- Two—rather than one—academic recommendations (the second letter may come from an employer, supervisor, or nonfamily member who can address important personal qualities such as responsibility, creativity, discipline, and initiative)
Home-schooled applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma, a GED, or a state certification in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds.
Waitlisted Applicants
If you have been offered a spot on Reed’s waitlist, you will receive an email with a link to a Waitlist Reply Form where you can indicate your interest in remaining on the waitlist. You can also access the form from the Reed Application Portal. We ask that you submit the form within three weeks of receiving the waitlist notification email.
See below for frequently asked questions about Reed’s waitlist process.
Waitlist FAQ
When is my Waitlist Reply Form due?
May I send supplementary materials?
Would it be helpful to visit campus and have an interview?
Is the waitlist ranked?
When will I know more?
Should I pay a deposit at another college?
What if I need financial aid?
I have more questions.
Deferred Admission
Information for students who would like to request deferred admission:
- Admitted first-year students may request to defer entrance for one year once they have made their first $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit.
- Students who wish to request deferred admission must send a written plan outlining how they will spend their deferral year to the Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid via email to admission@reed.edu by May 15.
- Students are required to submit the second enrollment deposit by June 1.
- Once the deferral request is approved, the submitted enrollment deposits will reserve a place in the following year's entering class and will be applied toward the student's first-semester tuition at Reed.
- Students granted a deferral year may not enroll at another college or university as full-time or part-time students and may not apply to other colleges or universities.
- Students granted a deferral year will be asked to confirm their intent to enroll by submitting a $400 confirmation deposit to the Office of Admission by January 10 of the deferral year. Like the two enrollment deposits, the confirmation deposit will be applied towards the student's first-semester tuition at Reed.
- Transfer students are not eligible for deferred entrance except in the case of military or religious service or medical necessity (documentation may be required).
Reapplying to Reed
Students who applied to Reed and did not enroll may reapply by following the same application procedures and deadlines for the type of admission they have been approved to apply for (First-Year or Transfer), with some additional requirements:
- A new Application with a new personal essay.
- Reapply Statement: Check the box identifying that you previously applied to Reed to College. This will cause the required Reapply Statement prompt to appear for you to answer
- Official high school transcript, showing all final grades and date of graduation
- College Transcripts for all completed college coursework
- One new teacher evaluation, from a teacher who did not submit previously (College Instructor for applicants reapplying as transfers).
Reapplying students are responsible for submitting any application requirements that weren't included in their original application to Reed in order to complete the reapplication process.
Please note that a reapplying student who was originally placed on the waitlist or denied will be allowed to reapply to Reed as a transfer applicant only after completing at least one semester of college coursework (or the equivalent of four Reed units). More than one semester of college coursework will significantly increase the likelihood of admission.
A student will not be allowed to reapply more than two times.