Reed College

One of the most distinctive colleges in the nation, Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on personal inquiry; extensive written and in-person feedback from professors on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.

Reed students pursue the bachelor of arts degree in 38 majors, along with 17 minors and two dual-degree programs. The curriculum includes a yearlong humanities course, broad distribution requirements, and a senior thesis. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and conference-style classes allow faculty members to truly mentor students and engage with them in individual discussions.

The Reed community is guided by the Honor Principle. The commitment to the independence of thought and mutual trust and respect helps to create an environment in which students feel connected, challenged, and fulfilled. Reed students are culturally diverse and hail from 49 states and from 25 countries.

The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. An extraordinary number of Reed graduates go on to graduate school. Reed is ranked second in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the life sciences, third in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the arts & humanities, and fourth across all disciplines. Many Reed alumni win major graduate fellowships, found or lead companies and organizations, and earn medical, business, or law degrees.

Student groups at Reed—organized around interests, values, identities, and activities—may be spontaneous, intellectual, or silly, but they never depend on sororities or fraternities (Reed doesn't have them).

All campus organizations are student-created and student-run. Student organizations must lobby the Student Senate for funding annually, after which the Senate oversees a vote in which the entire student body decides what organizations should be funded. Thus, the number and nature of campus organizations at Reed changes every year to meet student interests. Currently, Reedies gather into over 90 different student groups, including clubs focused on scuba diving, climate justice, and careers in the medical field.

In addition, Instead of NCAA or NAIA competition, students participate in sports on an informal basis. Intramural sports and club sports proliferate in basketball, rugby, rowing, soccer, squash, and ultimate Frisbee. A three-semester physical education requirement underscores the importance of physical fitness and the balance of a healthy mind and body.

First and foremost, "Reedies are invested in the learning process," so be prepared to meet plenty of students who "are often taking very niche classes that don't pertain to their own major" and who subsequently have "something they could talk your ear off about." This is a group of "academically driven, extremely progressive, friendly, inclusive, and uniquely talented" individuals who are also "colorful, eccentric, and out-there at times." Gender minorities and LGBTQIA+ students find that the school "feels incredibly welcoming and nurturing." As one student puts it: "Our motley of student-run clubs and work activities and school-supported extracurriculars end up forming hundreds of minicommunities across campus that give many a chance to be a part of something."

If "you are looking to party or become enthralled in a sports culture" or Greek life, Reed is not the school for you, as students here "pride themselves on the amount of work they have to do." That said, "Reedies are also very laid-back, making sure that time for work has corresponding times for play." That's how you wind up with traditions like the Thesis Parade, in which costumed seniors burn their notes and drafts in a bonfire, or "themed dances where you get to dress up, dance, and let loose." The college has "a program called 'The Gray Fund' which helps fund all types of activities that are completely outside of academics," and these "can be as extensive as weeklong trips, or as simple as visits to the local cat café." The pool hall is a massively popular meeting space, and there are weekly events "where students gather for pool tournaments and hanging out." Since this bunch is generally creative, many here "play a lot of board games, have radio shows at the station, knit or crochet, or play musical instruments." Downtown Portland "is very easily accessed by bus" and students also "take day trips to the Oregon coast and go into the mountains near the city."

The aptly named Center for Life Beyond Reed connects students with experiential learning opportunities during their time in college and with professional contacts for their future careers. The CLBR’s model hinges on planning career pathways based on the Community of Purpose the student identifies with (such as “Healthcare & the Cure of Illness”). The advising, pathways, and opportunities are tailored specifically to the student’s community. There are also a plethora of grants and funding available for students wishing to pursue internships, research, or experiences throughout the year (both unpaid and as a subsidy), and the school hosts a number of job fairs and employer events throughout the year. SEEDS, the school’s community engagement program, links students to local service learning opportunities, and the intensive Senior Bootcamp gets students into applying and interviewing shape in just one day. According to PayScale.com, Reed graduates report median starting salaries of $67,900.