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Reed College

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Reed College campus
Nestled in a residential section of Portland, Oregon, Reed College enrolls nearly 1,400 undergraduates each year from all over the world. Considered one of the most intellectual colleges in the country since its launch in 1911, Reed is dedicated to the intrinsic value of learning and governed by the highest standards of scholarly practice, critical thought, and creativity.
Accepts first-year applicationsWestPrivateUrbanSmall (2,000 and under)Co-Ed
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Academic programs

  • Research
  • Science
  • Liberal Arts
  • Music
  • Economics
  • Government/Political Science
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts
  • Computer Science

Student experience

  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

Transfer

You are considered a transfer applicant if you have graduated from high school and have done any of the following: - Enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at an accredited institution of higher education (even if the term was not completed) - Earned a minimum of six Reed units of allowable transfer credit (six Reed units are equivalent to 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of credit) - Received financial aid at an accredited institution of higher education *High school students graduating from dual-enrollment programs are not considered transfer applicants.

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Additional information

One of the Most Distinctive Colleges in the Country

Intellectual. Inspiring. Transformative. For over 100 years, Reed has sought to provide the finest educational program in the country, offering students an extraordinary environment in which to discover their passions and pursue them with depth and determination.  

An Education Like No Other

Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on independent inquiry; extensive feedback from professors instead of letter grades on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.

The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. 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.

The Fellowship of Reed

At Reed, community is built on inquiry and integrity. Student events may be structured, spontaneous, intellectual, or fantastic, but they never depend on sororities or fraternities (Reed doesn't have them), and they are always grander and more elaborate than seems possible. Reedies are curious about everything—you’ll overhear passionate dialogue about Plato in the sports center and get caught up in string theory in the Quad. Students at Reed find fellowship here that lasts a lifetime: in the classroom, in student groups, and in residence halls.

Visit us

Visit Reed College in person or online. You can take an in-person or online campus tour, attend an information session, sign up for an interview, and join us for special events designed to help with the college search and application process. Be sure to check out recordings of past sessions, exclusive alumni interviews, and fun videos about Portland and student life on our YouTube Channel.