College Catalog Archives

Reed welcomes applications from first-year and transfer candidates who are genuinely committed to the pursuit of a liberal arts education and a rigorous academic program. Admitted applicants are those who, in the view of the Admission Committee, are most likely to become successful members of and contribute significantly to the Reed community. The college is committed to maintaining a student body distinguished by its intellectual passion, yet diverse in its range of backgrounds, interests, and talents.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, but academic accomplishments are given the greatest weight in the selection process. Strong secondary school preparation, including honors and advanced courses where available, will improve a student’s candidacy for admission. Such preparation usually includes four years of English and three to four years of mathematics, science, foreign language, and history or social studies. We hope that applicants will enrich their high school curricula with arts courses. Given the wide variation in high school programs, there are no fixed requirements for secondary school courses. Applicants are generally expected to have obtained a secondary school diploma or GED prior to enrollment. There are no “cutoff points” for high school or college grades, or for examination scores.

In addition to a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, Reed recognizes that qualities of character—in particular, motivation, intellectual curiosity, individual responsibility, and social awareness—are important considerations in the selection process. Thus, the Admission Committee conducts a holistic review of each application to find students whose accomplishments and interests in various fields of endeavor will contribute to the vitality of the Reed community.

Reed College is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students who apply for financial aid by Reed’s deadlines. In order to maintain this commitment, the Admission Committee may consider an applicant’s expected family contribution.

Application for Admission

First-year and transfer students enter in the fall. The Admission Committee reviews applications on a defined schedule. All applicants with completed applications will be notified of their admission decision by the date specified in the following table:

Applicants to Reed may choose between two application platforms to submit an application form and required writing supplements. Reed is a member of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, a group of over 90 colleges and universities (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org); the Coalition Application will be available beginning July 2016. Reed is also a member of the Common Application, a consortium of more than 600 colleges and universities (www.commonapp.org); the Common Application may be submitted online beginning August 1. Students may not submit more than one type of application for a given year.

Application procedures for first-year and transfer students are addressed in the following sections, and detailed instructions are available at the Reed Admission website. Students may reapply to Reed a maximum of two times. Prospective students with questions about the college and the admission process, or with requests for special consideration, may call the Office of Admission at 503-777-7511 or 800-547-4750, or send email to admission@reed.edu. The fax number is 503-777-7553. The Reed Admission website is www.reed.edu/apply.

First-year Students
Applicants seeking admission to Reed as first-year students must submit the application form and Reed supplement via either the Coalition Application or the Common Application, a counselor recommendation, official high school and college transcripts for all schools attended (whether or not credit for those courses transfers to Reed), and two recommendations from teachers in different core academic disciplines (English, mathematics, science, foreign language, history, or social studies). Recommendations are also accepted from any instructor of a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course, including fine arts or theory of knowledge courses.

If applying for financial aid, the college requires both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE in order to award institutional funding. Late applications for financial aid will not be considered for institutional funding. Inaccurate reporting of financial information by the student or parent may disqualify the student from receiving institutional funding. The Office of Admission may request additional materials from any applicant, or waive certain requirements.

In addition, the Admission Committee requires that all applicants have the results of either the SAT or ACT entrance examination sent to Reed. There is no preference for one examination or the other. Reed accepts the SAT with or without the essay component, and accepts the ACT with or without the writing section. Reed’s identification numbers are 4654 for the SAT and 3494 for the ACT. Results of additional tests such as IB, AP, and/or SAT II (subject tests) are optional.

Required admission tests should be taken no later than December of the academic year in which the student is applying for admission. Students should ask the testing agency to report the test scores directly to Reed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make the necessary arrangements to take the examinations at the appropriate time. SAT information is available at www.collegeboard.com; ACT information may be found at www.act.org.

All matriculating first-year students are required to send an official copy of their final high school transcript showing graduation date to the Office of Admission by August 1. Alternatively, students may send a copy of their General Educational Development (GED) results or state certification.

Non–U.S. citizens applying to Reed should read the additional information in the “International Citizens” section under “Admission Policies.”

Early Decision
Early Decision is a binding admission process. First-year applicants who decide that Reed is their first-choice college, and who are certain that they will attend Reed if admitted, are encouraged to apply as Early Decision candidates. (There is no Early Decision option for transfer applicants.) Students applying under one of the Early Decision plans may submit regular applications to other institutions; if admitted to Reed they must immediately withdraw all other college applications and must not initiate any new applications.

A student may not apply to more than one institution as an Early Decision candidate. With Early Decision applicants, the Admission Committee will admit, deny admission, or postpone a decision (reconsider the application in the Regular Decision round). Early Decision candidates whose applications are denied may not submit another application for the same year.

Early Decision I (ED I): Candidates applying under ED I must submit application materials by November 15. Admission decisions on completed applications will be mailed by December 15. If the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE are on file in the financial aid office by November 15, admitted students will be able to access financial aid information shortly after receiving the admission decision. Students admitted at this time are expected to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 by January 10 and a confirmation deposit of $400 by June 15. The offer of admission to an Early Decision I candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress.

Early Decision II (ED II): Candidates applying under ED II must submit application materials by December 20 and are strongly encouraged to submit fall-semester or first-trimester grades, if available. Admission decisions on completed applications will be mailed by February 1. If the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE are on file in the financial aid office by December 20, admitted students will be able to access financial aid information shortly after receiving the admission decision. Students admitted at this time are expected to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 by February 15 and a confirmation deposit of $400 by June 15. The offer of admission to an Early Decision II candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress.

Reed has no Early Action (nonbinding) application plan.

Regular Decision
Regular Decision is a nonbinding admission process. Candidates for Regular Decision admission should submit their application by January 1 for consideration for fall entrance. Admission decisions will be mailed by April 1. Admitted students who have submitted all required financial aid documentation by the deadline will receive financial aid information shortly after receiving the admission decision, generally within two weeks.

Reed subscribes to the Uniform Candidates’ Reply Date agreement; admitted Regular Decision students must notify the college of their intent to enroll and submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 by May 1 and a confirmation deposit of $400 by June 15.

Under all application plans, the Office of Admission may request additional materials or activity (such as an interview) from any applicant or waive certain requirements. The offer of admission to a Regular Decision candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress.

Transfers
A student must apply as a transfer applicant rather than a first-year applicant if he or she has graduated from high school or the equivalent, and, by the time of enrollment at Reed, has:

• Enrolled in one or more classes at an accredited institution of higher learning (even if the student withdrew from any or all of the classes) after completing a high school diploma or equivalent, or
• Completed one or more terms (a quarter or a semester) as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning, or
• Received financial aid at an accredited institution of higher learning, or 
• Earned a minimum of six Reed units (24 semester or 36 quarter hours) of allowable transfer credit. One Reed unit is the equivalent of four semester hours or six quarter hours.

Transfer applicants must submit their application form and supplement, a College Report (rather than a counselor recommendation), an official high school transcript showing graduation date (students who did not graduate from high school but earned a GED must submit both the high school transcript and GED test results), official transcripts from all secondary schools and colleges attended (whether or not credit for those courses transfers to Reed), and one letter of recommendation from a college instructor. An additional recommendation may be from a high school instructor, a college instructor, or employer. If applying for financial aid, the college requires both the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE in order to award institutional funding.

The Office of Admission may request additional materials or activity (such as an interview) from any applicant or waive certain requirements. The offer of admission to a transfer candidate is contingent upon successful completion of current college work.

Standardized test results (SAT or ACT) that transfer applicants have already taken should be submitted with the application. If transfer applicants have not taken any standardized exams, they are not expected to submit standardized test scores.

Results of additional tests such as IB, AP, and/or SAT II (subject tests) are optional. For students who identify as international and either do not speak English at home or attend schools where the language of instruction is not English, the college recommends the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System assessment (IELTS).

Each admitted transfer applicant will be given a preliminary analysis of transfer credit. Courses are evaluated in light of their applicability toward a liberal arts degree and in the context of the Reed College curriculum. Credit is not awarded for professional, technical, vocational, or remedial courses. Class standing (first-year or sophomore) is determined by the number of units approved by Reed for transfer. Reed requires two full years (15 units, or 60 semester hours) completed in residence at Reed to obtain the degree. Upon receipt of the final college transcripts, the registrar’s office will prepare a final credit evaluation for each transfer enrollee. Junior class standing at Reed is granted only with the approval of the intended major department.

To facilitate the transition between colleges, each transfer student is assigned an academic adviser with whom to consult before registration. The adviser will help arrange the student’s program of study, taking into account the student’s previous college work, the student’s educational goals, and Reed’s distribution requirements.

To receive full consideration, transfer applicants should submit application materials to the Office of Admission by March 1. This deadline is especially important for those candidates who intend to apply for financial aid. Admission decisions on completed applications will be mailed by May 1. If the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE are on file in the financial aid office by March 1, admitted students will be able to access financial aid information shortly after receiving the admission decision. Admitted transfers must notify the college of their intent to enroll and submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 within two weeks of admission notification, and a confirmation deposit of $400 by July 1. All enrolling transfer students are required to send final official college transcripts to the Office of Admission before registering at the college.

Transfer applications may be accepted after March 1; contact your admission counselor if you wish to apply after the March 1 deadline.

Non–U.S. citizens planning to transfer to Reed should be sure to read the information in the “International Citizens” section under “Admission Policies.”

Admission Policies

In considering the needs of Reed applicants, the college follows the admission policies stated here. Requests for special consideration should be discussed with the Office of Admission.

Transfer and Advanced Placement: Credit and Noncredit
The college may grant credit to secondary school graduates for college courses taken before high school graduation and before enrollment at Reed. Such courses must represent regular college work and may not be courses designed for high school students or used to meet high school graduation requirements. Credit will not be granted for college-level courses taken in the student’s high school, even if offered by a college- or university-approved instructor or visiting professor.

Credit is allowed on the basis of some College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. For departments that grant credit for AP exams, scores of four or five are required. Credit for AP tests will apply toward the total of 30 Reed units needed for graduation, but cannot be used to meet the college’s distribution requirements. Students receiving AP credit are expected to take a normal course load for their class level. A document specifying AP credit and placement by department, and potential credit for the International Baccalaureate (IB) and other internationally recognized programs (A-levels, Abitur, baccalauréat, etc.), is available from the Office of Admission website at www.reed.edu/apply/guide-to-applying/first-year/ap-guide.html.

Advanced placement in courses without unit credit can often be arranged in certain sequential courses at the discretion of the department involved. Placement in language courses is based on tests administered at Reed at the beginning of the academic year.

Interviews and Campus Visits
The Office of Admission recommends that prospective students initiate personal contact with a member of the Reed community and admission team. One way of accomplishing this is to visit the Reed campus. Prospective students can take part in a general information session with an admission counselor, interview with an admission counselor or student admission intern, tour the campus, attend classes, sample meals in the dining hall, and spend the night in a residence hall.

During interviews and information sessions, a prospective student can ask questions and learn more about the college in a relaxed setting, while an admission counselor or student admission intern has an opportunity to learn more about the student and share more information about Reed. The latest information about interview deadlines is available online at www.reed.edu/apply/visit/interview.

Parents are encouraged to attend the information session and tour. Visits are most productive on weekdays during the regular school year, when classes are in session. They may be arranged through the Office of Admission, which is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) except for major holidays. The office is also open on selected Saturday mornings in the fall and spring semesters. The admission visit calendar may be found online at www.reed.edu/apply/visit.

Classroom visits are available for high school seniors only and may be scheduled through the Office of Admission. Hosted overnight accommodations in a residence hall are available for one night, Sunday through Thursday, when classes are in session. The Office of Admission requests two weeks’ notice from students who plan to interview or spend the night on campus. Generally, overnight visits during the month of April are reserved for admitted students.

Interviews Off Campus
Students who are unable to visit the campus may wish to interview with an admission counselor visiting their area or speak with an admission alumni representative in their area. The Office of Admission will gladly accommodate off-campus interview requests and, in most cases, is able to arrange contact with an area representative. Regional alumni interviews take place between October and December for seniors and between January and April for juniors.

Students who are unable to schedule an interview, either on or off campus, will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process; however, interviews are strongly recommended for students who apply under the Early Decision plan.

Details regarding the interview process, calendar, locations, and deadlines are available online at www.reed.edu/apply/visit/interview.

Deferred Entrance
First-year students may request to defer entrance for one year once they have made their nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 by May 1. Transfer students are generally not eligible for deferred entrance except in the case of military or religious service or medical necessity (documentation may be required). Only in rare cases is deferred entrance available for students admitted from the waiting list.

The priority deadline for deferred entrance requests is June 1. Students who wish to request deferred entrance must write to the vice president and dean of admission and financial aid, providing a detailed plan for the deferral year. Deferral requests will not be considered without an enrollment deposit.

If the deferral request is approved, the deposit will reserve a place in the desired entering class and will be applied toward the student’s first-semester tuition at Reed. A student granted deferred admission must agree not to enroll at another college or university as a full- or part-time student, nor to apply to other colleges or universities during the deferral year.

Students granted deferred admission are asked in the following December to confirm their intent to enroll by submitting a $400 confirmation deposit to the Office of Admission by January 10. Students applying for financial aid should note that a deferral does not guarantee a financial award for the semester the student enrolls at Reed. The financial aid application process must be completed annually to determine eligibility for financial aid.

Approximately 50% of deferral requests are approved. If the deferral request is not granted, Reed anticipates the student will enroll the following fall. If the student chooses to forfeit enrollment after May 1, deposits will not be refunded.

Rescinding Admission
The National Association for College Admission Counseling reports various reasons that colleges and universities rescind admission offers, including final grades, disciplinary issues, and falsification of application information. In rare cases, the vice president and dean of admission and financial aid will make the difficult decision to rescind an admission offer for reasons described above, or in other cases where the student is in violation of Reed’s Honor Principle. Reed may or may not disclose the reasons for this decision to any party. The decision is never taken lightly and the college always offers the student an opportunity to explain circumstances or to provide new information before the offer of admission is rescinded.

Out of respect for the privacy of the individual, Reed will not comment on the specifics that lead to a rescission. The college works diligently to build each entering class in line with its educational mission.

Early Admission
The Admission Committee will consider applications from exceptionally qualified high school students who wish to enter Reed after their junior year. Students interested in Early Admission should have an outstanding high school record and have exhausted the educational opportunities available to them at their high school.

Early Admission candidates follow the standard first-year application process, with three exceptions: Early Admission candidates may not apply under an Early Decision plan as outlined in the Early Decision section of the catalog, the application must be accompanied by a letter from a high school counselor or principal supporting the student’s plan to enter college after the junior year, and the Early Admission candidate is required to have an admission interview. Early Admission candidates are required to have either the SAT or ACT results sent to Reed. In addition, the student must be sure to address in the application why he or she is seeking early admission to Reed. Early Admission applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma, a GED, or state certification in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds.

International Citizens
Reed encourages applications from qualified international citizens seeking a broad and rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences. The Admission Committee pays particular attention to the applicant’s ability to read, write, and understand English, since the substance of Reed’s courses and the style in which they are conducted demand a high degree of proficiency in the language.

Students must submit the application form and Reed supplement via either the Coalition Application or the Common Application, a counselor recommendation, a complete secondary school transcript (including predicted A-level results, where relevant), two teacher recommendations, and the SAT or ACT where available.

For students who identify as international and either do not speak English at home or attend schools where the language of instruction is not English, the college recommends the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System assessment (IELTS). These tests should be taken before January preceding the academic year for which admission is sought. Applicants should obtain information and register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com, for the ACT at www.act.org, and for the TOEFL at www.toefl.org. More information about admission and financial aid for international citizens can be found at www.reed.edu/apply/guide-to-applying/international/index.html. Any questions about application status, timing, or unusual circumstances should be sent to the Office of Admission at admission@reed.edu.

Students who are not citizens of the United States should be aware that financial assistance is limited. To apply for financial aid, submit the CSS PROFILE by the appropriate deadline according to the table at the beginning of the admission section. Documentation of resources on a Certification of Finances form is necessary before Reed can issue the I-20 form to admitted students.

Homeschooled Students
We recognize that homeschooled students may find that the application forms do not fit their individualized high school programs. Although individual students may not be able to submit everything that is requested, they should send as much information as possible about their academic background and capabilities.

Homeschooled applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma, a GED, or state certification. A student who meets his or her state’s requirements for homeschooling at the secondary level may have an alternative to the high school diploma. This alternative is a certification stating that the student has the academic qualifications necessary for a high school diploma as approved by the state. The student must be above the age of compulsory education in the home state. A copy of this certification must be submitted to Reed’s financial aid office in order to establish federal aid eligibility.

In order to help us best assess the student’s readiness to attend Reed, the homeschooled applicant must include the following with the application:

• A detailed outline of the homeschool curriculum, including subject areas studied, texts used, and time spent on each discipline;
• A comprehensive list of the books and texts read over the last four years, including novels, textbooks, and other resources;
• Official transcripts of any high school or college work undertaken or completed;
• A letter of reference from a tutor, evaluator, or teacher who is not a family member;
• The School Report. Parents are often instrumental in the homeschooling process and may complete the School Report, if applicable;
• SAT or ACT test scores.

In order to strengthen the application, we recommend:

• An interview, either on campus or with an admission officer or alumni admission representative in the student’s area. Interviews, on or off campus, are generally available from July through December for first-year applicants and through February for transfer applicants.
• Two academic references are preferred. If it is difficult to obtain references from two academic sources, a second letter of reference may come from an employer, supervisor, or any non–family member who can address important personal qualities such as responsibility, creativity, discipline, and initiative.

Nontraditional Students
Reed welcomes the diversity of age and experience that nontraditional students bring to the campus. The college welcomes applications from students who have been away from school for a time, but who wish to begin or resume college studies toward a bachelor’s degree. The Reed curriculum and community offer an atmosphere of serious learning appropriate for the mature student who plans to pursue a full-time program. Reed follows established federal guidelines to determine independent status for financial aid applicants.

A special fund provides reentry scholarships to students age 25 to 50 who are returning to four-year institutions after a significant break in their studies to obtain their first bachelor’s degree. For more information, contact the office of financial aid at 503-777-7223.

Reapplication
Students who applied to Reed and did not enroll may reapply under the following conditions:

• The reapplying student must request reactivation of their file to admission@reed.edu .If that request is granted, the Office of Admission will inform the reapplying student of the required new materials that need to be submitted.
• A reapplying student who was originally placed on the wait list 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.

Readmission
Readmission refers to students who have been degree-seeking students at Reed in the past and who wish to reenter the college. Readmission is processed by the registrar’s office; see the section on “Academic Policies: Leave of Absence and Withdrawal from the College.”

Wait List
The wait list refers to applicants who are not immediately granted admission to Reed, but may be admitted at a later date. Applicants who are placed on the wait list are asked to share their intention with the college; a waitlisted applicant may indicate a preference to remain on the waitlist for future consideration or indicate a desire not to be considered at a later date. If an applicant accepts a position on the wait list, while it is not required, that applicant may submit additional materials.

Applicants on the wait list may be considered for admission to Reed until wait list activity concludes for the year. Applicants will be informed by mail when wait list activity is complete.

Appeals
Reed is unable to accommodate requests to discuss specific details about individual admission decisions. Our original selection process involves a careful, holistic review of each complete application received. Unless new and compelling information is presented, it is unlikely that an admission decision will be reversed.

For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new, substantive information regarding academic performance and/or information pertaining to extenuating circumstances that were not discussed in the application. All appeals can be submitted to admission@reed.edu .

Special Admission Groups

Auditors
Persons not enrolled full time at Reed may audit courses with the written permission of the instructor, but are restricted to no more than two courses in any academic year. Audited courses are not recorded on the college transcript. Auditors will not be permitted in classes that are overenrolled, capped, or filled, nor in any Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) classes. They have the privilege of active participation in the class only when the instructor grants permission. They may have access to materials relevant to the course with the written permission of the instructor. The fee for auditing is $100 per course, per semester. Auditors in laboratory and studio courses may be required to pay an additional fee.

Audit of physical education classes is not permitted. Students who are not currently enrolled and who have recently completed a Reed thesis but need additional PE credit to graduate may register for PE and must pay the audit fee. The approval of the instructor and the Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Outdoor Programs is required.

Full-time Reed students, faculty, staff members, and the spouses or domestic partners of full-time faculty and staff members may audit courses without charge. Written approval of the appropriate instructor and faculty adviser is required. The form for auditing a class is available in the Office of Admission.

Visiting Students
Visiting students—students who wish to spend a semester or a year at Reed while working toward a degree from another college or university—may apply for admission. Application forms may be submitted only via the Common Application at www.commonapp.org; visiting students should identify themselves as transfer applicants rather than first-year applicants. Visiting student applications should be filed by March 1 for fall entrance, or by November 15 for spring entrance. Students are required to submit the application and supplement, two recommendations from faculty members at the home institution, official secondary and college transcripts, a College Report, and SAT or ACT scores. It is advisable to have plans approved by the student’s home institution. Fees are the same as those for regular transfer students. Although visiting students are not eligible for financial aid, they may be able to find employment on or off campus.

On-campus housing may be arranged on a space-available basis. Visiting students who wish to stay at Reed beyond the year allotted must apply for regular transfer admission. More details on this program are available from the Office of Admission.

Special Students (Nondegree Students)
Those other than visiting students who wish to take one or more courses at Reed but who do not wish to attend full-time or work toward a Reed degree may apply for admission as special, nondegree students. Such students may make full use of college facilities. While they are not eligible for financial aid, they may be able to obtain employment on or off campus. They should file a Special Student application, available from the Office of Admission, before June 1 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester. Fees are assessed on a per-unit basis and are listed with college costs.

Young Scholars Program
The Young Scholars program allows high school seniors to study concurrently at Reed. The program provides a unique opportunity each year for approximately 20 students from the metropolitan area who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to serious study in a rigorous college setting. Eligible students must have exhausted high school curriculum options in a subject of interest, or be able to demonstrate a serious and sustained interest in a subject not offered at the high school. Young Scholars enroll in one Reed course each semester for the academic year, complete the same course requirements as Reed undergraduates, and are awarded Reed credit for work successfully completed. A scholarship covers all tuition costs; student expenses include a $100 fee per semester plus books and transportation. Admission to the Young Scholars program is highly competitive. Preference is given to applications filed by April 1 for fall admission and December 1 for spring. Information on the program and course options, along with application materials, is available at www.reed.edu/young_scholars.

Contact Information
You may reach the Office of Admission by phone at 503-777-7511 or 800-547-4750, by email at admission@reed.edu, or by mail at Office of Admission, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland OR 97202-8199. Information about the application and admission processes can be found at www.reed.edu/apply.