Admission

Reed welcomes applications from first-year and transfer candidates committed to pursuing a liberal arts education and a rigorous academic program. In the Admission Committee’s view, admitted applicants are those who 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 and 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, a non-English language, and history or social studies. We hope that applicants will enrich their high school curricula with courses in the arts. Given the wide variation in high school programs, there are no fixed requirements for secondary school courses. Applicants are expected to have obtained a secondary school diploma or GED prior to enrollment. There are no minimum qualifications 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-particularly motivation, intellectual curiosity, individual responsibility, and social awareness-are essential 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. To maintain this commitment, the Admission Committee may consider an applicant’s ability to contribute financially to their educational expenses.

Application for Admission

First-year students enter in the fall. Transfer students may enter in the fall or the spring. 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:

First-Year Student Deadlines and Decision Dates

Transfer Student Deadlines and Decision Dates

First-year applicants may choose between two application platforms to submit an application form and required supplemental material. Reed is a member of the Coalition for College on Scoir, a group of over 150 colleges and universities (coalitionforcollegeaccess.org). Reed is also a member of the Common Application, a consortium of more than 800 colleges and universities (commonapp.org). Both applications may be submitted online beginning August 1. Students should not submit more than one of these applications in a given year. Reed has no preference for which application is selected.

Transfer applicants may use the Common Application platform (commonapp.org).

Application procedures for first-year and transfer students are addressed in the following sections, and detailed instructions are available at the Reed Admission website. The Office of Admission may limit the reapplication process for a candidate. 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 Reed Admission website is reed.edu/apply.

First-Year Students

Applicants seeking admission to Reed as first-year students must submit the application form and Reed supplement via 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, a non-English language, history, or social studies). Recommendations are also accepted from any instructor of a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course, or from any college professor who has taught the applicant in a credit-bearing 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 CSS Profile which are due at the time of application. Students interested in receiving federal aid only do not need to complete the CSS Profile. Late applications for financial aid may 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 Financial Aid may request additional materials from any applicant.

Reed will not require or use testing results from the SAT or ACT in admission review for the fall 2024 admission cycle for domestic students in a public or independent school curriculum. Students in a homeschool curriculum may choose to submit the SAT and/or ACT for consideration in admission review. With the exception of homeschool applicants who have chosen to submit test scores, Reed will not review or use SAT or ACT scores in the admission process. However, applicants are welcome and encouraged to submit test scores for future analysis.

The Admission Committee will reevaluate this policy after the fall 2024 cycle and may require applicants to submit test scores for fall 2025 and beyond. If this happens, Reed will require applicants to submit the results of either the SAT or ACT entrance examination. There is no preference for one examination over the other.

Students are encouraged to submit their IB, AP, and/or SAT II (subject tests), as that data may enhance an applicant’s candidacy.

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 July 15. Alternatively, students may send a copy of their GED results or state certification. Enrollment is contingent upon successful completion of high school.

An admission interview is required for students attending early college high school programs or graduating early.

The Office of Admission may request additional materials or activity from or waive certain requirements for any applicant.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents should read the additional information in the “International Citizens” section under “Admission Policies.”

Early Decision

Early Decision is a binding admission process and an excellent option for first-year applicants who decide that Reed is their first-choice college. Students 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 nonbinding applications to other institutions; if admitted to Reed, Early Decision candidates must immediately withdraw all other college applications and must not initiate any new applications, or Reed will withdraw all offers of admission.

A student may not apply to more than one institution as an Early Decision candidate. With Early Decision applicants, the Admission Committee will offer or deny admission or postpone a decision (to 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 candidates whose applications are postponed to Regular Decision admission are encouraged to add supporting application materials.

Early Decision students will receive one of their top two choices of residence hall. There is no difference between the financial support students receive as an Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision applicant. All admitted students receive Reed’s best financial support regardless of decision round.

Early Decision I (ED I): Candidates applying under ED I must submit application materials by November 1. If financial aid applications are on file in the financial aid office by November 1, admitted students will be notified of their aid eligibility shortly after receiving the admission decision. Students admitted at this time are expected to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 within two weeks of receiving their notification of admission. A confirmation deposit of $400 is due by June 1. 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. If financial aid applications are on file in the financial aid office by December 20, admitted students will be notified of their aid eligibility shortly after receiving the admission decision. Students admitted at this time are expected to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 within two weeks of receiving their notification of admission. A confirmation deposit of $400 is due by June 1. The offer of admission to an Early Decision II candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress.

Early Action

Early Action is the earliest general round and the favored option for students who prefer a nonbinding admission process. Candidates for Early Action admission should submit their application by November 1 for consideration for fall entrance. Reed subscribes to the National Candidate Reply Date of May 1; admitted Early Action 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 1. The offer of admission to an Early Action candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress and the submission of a deposit to Reed.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision is a nonbinding admission process. Candidates for Regular Decision admission should submit their application by January 15 for consideration for fall entrance. The expected mail date of admission decisions for on-time and complete applications is April 1. Admitted students who have submitted all required financial aid documentation by the deadline will receive financial aid notifications on a rolling basis.

Reed subscribes to the National Candidates Reply Date of May 1; 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 1. The offer of admission to a Regular Decision candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress and the submission of a deposit to Reed.

Transfers

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

• 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 use the Common Application to submit their application form and supplement. They must also submit 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 an employer. If the student is applying for financial aid, the college requires both the FAFSA (domestic students only) and the CSS Profile in order to offer 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 may be submitted with the application.

Results of additional tests such as IB, AP, and/or SAT II (subject tests) are optional and encouraged.

For students who are international and either do not speak English at home or attend schools where the language of instruction is not English, the college requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System assessment (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. In some cases, a student may also submit the results of the SAT or ACT.

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 the March 1 priority deadline or the May 1 regular deadline. These deadlines are especially important for those candidates who intend to apply for financial aid. Students may continue to submit applications after May 1 and will receive consideration if room is available.

If the FAFSA (domestic students only) and the CSS Profile are on file in the financial aid office by March 1 or May 1, admitted students will receive financial aid notifications shortly after receiving the admission decision, generally within two weeks.

Admitted transfers must notify the college of their intent to enroll and submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 within 21 days of receiving the offer of admission. All enrolling transfer students are required to send final official college transcripts to the Office of Admission before registering at the college.

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

Spring/Midyear Transfer

Candidates for spring/midyear transfer admission should submit their application by November 15 for consideration for spring entrance. Admitted students who have submitted all required financial aid documentation by the deadline will receive financial aid notifications shortly after receiving the admission decision, generally within two weeks. Admitted spring/midyear transfer students must notify the college of their intent to enroll and submit a nonrefundable $400 enrollment deposit 10 days after notification of admission or 10 days after receipt of financial aid notification, whichever is later.

The offer of admission to a spring/midyear transfer candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic work in progress.

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 Credit for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Dual Enrollment: Credit and Noncredit

Prematriculation credit is credit earned for academic work prior to enrolling at Reed College. It includes:

• Regular college courses completed while in high school or as a non-degree-seeking student after high school graduation but prior to matriculating at Reed. These courses must appear on an official transcript from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution and meet Reed’s standards for transfer. They may apply toward Reed’s group and division requirements.
• Advanced Placement (AP) credit, International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, or other exam credit. These credits may not apply towards Reed’s group, division, major, or minor requirements.

Students may receive up to eight total units of prematriculation credit. Those eight units may be from regular college courses, exam credit, or a combination of both. The successful transfer of prematriculation credit does not affect class standing at Reed. Students who successfully transfer prematriculation credit are still classified as first-year students and must participate in the Humanities 110 requirement.

Credit is allowed on the basis of some College Board Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. For departments that grant credit for AP and IB exams, scores of four or five are required for AP, and scores of five and above are required for IB Higher Level exams.

A current list of scores accepted for credit can be found on our website at reed.edu/apply/guide-to-applying/first-year/index.html#college-credit.

For information regarding transfer credit and cross-registration, please see Academic Policies  in the “The Educational Program ” section of this catalog.

Campus Visits and Events

The Office of Admission recommends that prospective students initiate personal contact with the college in person and/or online. One way of accomplishing this is through virtual or in-person visits and events. The admission visits and events calendar may be found online at reed.edu/apply/visit. Many events feature Reed faculty and current students. To be connected with Reed faculty outside of an event, please contact the Office of Admission.

Virtual programming is offered throughout the year and includes information sessions, interviews, campus tours, student panels, assorted workshops, and special events. Students may also view recordings of past virtual sessions and other original content on the college’s YouTube channel.

Prospective students may also register for an on-campus visit. While on campus, students may be able to take part in a general information session, interview with an admission counselor or student admission intern, tour the campus, attend classes, eat in the dining hall, and spend the night in a residence hall.

Parents are encouraged to attend the information session and tour. Classroom visits are available for high school seniors only and may be scheduled through the Office of Admission. When available, hosted overnight accommodations in a residence hall are open to high school seniors 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, attend a class, or spend the night on campus. Generally, overnight visits during the month of April are reserved for admitted students.

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 and college event days. The office is also open on weekdays in the summer and on selected Saturday mornings in the fall and spring semesters.

The Office of Admission hosts campus events throughout the year. Please visit reed.edu/apply/visit to view the most current list of events.

Interviews

During an interview, a prospective student can ask questions and learn more about the college in a relaxed setting, while an admission counselor, student admission intern, or alumni representative has an opportunity to learn more about the student and share about Reed. The latest information about interview deadlines for first-year applicants is available online at reed.edu/admission-aid/how-to-apply/.

Interviews are offered virtually and on campus throughout the year. Students may also choose to interview with an admission counselor visiting their area or an admission alumni representative. Off-campus interviews are typically offered between October and April.

International applicants may utilize either of two virtual interview services; InitialView or Vericant. Applications using one of these services should indicate Reed College as a recipient of the interview results. Interviews with a Reed College admission representative for international applicants are by invitation only. 

Interviews are encouraged for admission but are not required.

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. Students intending to defer must pay their second deposit by June 1. Students granted deferred admission must confirm their intent to enroll by submitting a third and final $400 confirmation deposit by January 10 of the following year. Deposits are credited toward tuition.

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 waitlist.

The priority deadline for deferred entrance requests is May 15. 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 deposits 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 who defer can expect a similar financial aid package, should their financial circumstances remain consistent, but Reed does not guarantee financial aid offers. The financial aid application process must be completed annually and by the deadline to determine eligibility for financial aid.

Historically, around 50% of deferral requests are approved. If the deferral request is not granted, Reed anticipates the student will enroll in the upcoming 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, missed deadlines, 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, for other reasons, 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.

Applicants Graduating from High School Early

The Admission Committee will consider applications from exceptionally qualified high school students who wish to enter Reed before they turn 17 years of age. These applicants should have an outstanding high school record and have exhausted the educational opportunities available to them at their high school.

Applicants who, if admitted, would enter Reed prior to turning 17 years of age will follow the standard first-year application process, with one exception. These applicants are required to have an admission interview. In addition, applicants must be sure to address in the application why they are seeking admission to Reed prior to turning 17 years of age.

Applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent, such as the General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or other state-sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate, in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Students at Early College Programs

Students who enroll in early college programs are required to complete the application for admission and interview with a faculty member and admission staff member as part of their application review process.

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 IB or A-level results, where relevant), a secondary school report, and two teacher recommendations.

For students who are 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), the International English Language Testing System assessment (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. The college will also accept the SAT or the ACT as a replacement for the English proficiency verification. These tests should be taken before January preceding the academic year for which admission is sought.

More information about admission and financial aid for international citizens can be found at 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-international@reed.edu.

To apply for financial aid, submit the CSS Profile by the appropriate deadline according to the table at the beginning of the admission section, and a complete International Student Certification of Finances form through the secure document submission portal of the Reed College Office of Financial Aid. Documentation of resources on a Certification of Finances form is necessary before Reed can issue the I-20 form to admitted students.

Homeschooled Students

Homeschooled applicants must submit the application form and Reed supplement through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Reed has no preference for which application is selected.

Homeschooled applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should note that federal regulations require that students receive a high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a General Education Development (GED) certificate, other state-sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate, or state certification in order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Students who meet their state’s requirement 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:

• 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.

In order to strengthen the application, we recommend:

• An interview, either on or off campus, with an admission counselor. Interviews are generally available from July through February.
• 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.
• Submission of the ACT or SAT. While not required, the college recognizes that traditional comparable metrics may not be available for homeschooled students. As a result, Reed considers the ACT or SAT should homeschooled students include test scores in the application.

Nontraditional Students

Reed welcomes the diversity of age and experience that nontraditional students bring to campus. The college welcomes applications from students who have been away from school for a time but 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 encourages students who have been out of school for more than three years to take college courses before applying to support their body of academic work.

Reed participates in the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program. The program offers annual scholarships of up to $5,000 to support students aged 25-50 who have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years; are at the undergraduate level and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree; anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time after graduation; demonstrate financial need; and show academic promise and a commitment to obtaining their degree.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at financial.aid@reed.edu.

Reapplication

Students who applied to Reed and did not enroll may reapply using their past submitted application and under the following conditions:

• Reed keeps first-year applications on file for two years. If a reapplying student does not have an application on file, they must complete a new application.
• The reapplying student must request reactivation of their file by emailing admission@reed.edu. If that request is granted, the Office of Admission will inform the reapplying student of any required new materials that need to be submitted.
• 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 reapplying student should include a letter detailing what they have done since previously applying.
• The Office of Admission may limit the number of times a student applies for admission.

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  .”  

Waitlist

The waitlist 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 waitlist are asked to share their plans 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 waitlist, that applicant may submit additional materials, though it is not required that they do so.

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

Appeals

Reed is unable to accommodate requests to discuss specific details about individual admission decisions. Our selection process involves a careful and holistic review of each completed 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 and 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. Applications for auditing are due August 1 for fall courses and November 15 for spring courses.

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.

Auditors are not matriculated students and, as a result, do not have access to student, campus, or community services. Examples include but are not limited to clubs, organizations, residence halls, events, medical resources, the dining hall, student spaces, affinity groups, financial services, student budgets, recreational facilities, athletic teams, or any other campus or student service.

Auditors are subject to the policies listed under “Rescinding Admission,” and may be dismissed from attending Reed classes at any time.

Auditing 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 as a visiting student. The application for visiting students is housed on the website of the International Programs Office, under “Exchange students at Reed.” Applicants must submit the application form, their most recent transcript, one letter of recommendation from a faculty member, a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s home school, and a copy of the photo page of the applicant’s passport.

Visiting student applications should be filed by April 30 for fall entrance, or by October 30 for spring entrance. Although visiting students are not eligible for financial aid, they may be able to find employment on or off campus.

Visiting students are subject to the policies listed under “Rescinding Admission,” and may be dismissed from attending Reed classes at any time.

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 through the Common Application. More details on this program are available from the International Programs Office or 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. Access to college facilities is determined on a case-by-case basis and may change without notification. 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.

Special students are subject to the policies listed under “Rescinding Admission,” and may be dismissed from attending Reed classes at any time.

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 16 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.

An applicant must be concurrently enrolled at least half time in high school. If spaces are available after all qualified seniors have been accommodated, junior applicants may occasionally be accepted to the program. Young Scholars must commit to taking Reed coursework for the full academic year and complete the same course requirements as Reed undergraduates, and are awarded Reed credit for work successfully completed. Continued participation in the program for the second semester is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the first and the recommendation of the professor. 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. Applications and recommendations are due 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 reed.edu/young_scholars. Please direct inquiries to special.programs@reed.edu.

Young Scholars are subject to the policies listed under “Rescinding Admission,” and may be dismissed from attending Reed classes at any time. Access to college facilities is determined on a case-by-case basis and may change without notification.

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 process can be found at reed.edu/apply.