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College Prowler Take
Looking back upon the person I was when coming to Reed three years ago is like looking through an opaque window. I still see the frame and some features from my old self in who I am now, but the greater part of who I am rests on this side of the mirror, having been tempered by my experiences at Reed. I suppose that my reasons for coming to Reed, after examination and time, still hold up: I desired a small school with an intimate academic setting, a liberal and open culture to present numerous facets of the world, and a community of mostly-nice and genuine individuals who would be friendly. I did not want to be another face in the crowd at a large state school, and I wanted to experience the traditional collegiate rites of passage with members of the Reed community. I could state that I have lost love, found love, done drugs, studied hard, been arrested, and snuck onto a golf course at night, but any student at any college could very well have done the same. Empirically, Reed’s commitment to making critical thinkers and writers out of its students separates it from other academic institutions. Although many other institutions will train their students to write and think, Reed has bombarded my mind with reading, writing, and thought, helping me realize a level of intellectual self-awareness that I never thought possible. Not only has Reed further kindled my desire for learning, education, and critical thought, but it has inspired me to aspire to post-graduate research in literature; I simply have become an insatiable, knowledge-seeking beast—as are most students here. We push ourselves hard because we choose to, just as we go here because we want to. Any Reedie who wishes to be somewhere else has already left for that place. People stay at Reed and endure its academic rigors because they truly love and are committed to what the college has
to offer. Essentially, most students believe in Reed. Although feeling disenchanted with their institution of higher education at times, most Reedies accept their school’s shortcomings for what they are, and accept that they can not see themselves anywhere else. Reed is not just a college, it is an academic, personal, and social experience; and Reedies respect and cherish it. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
Reed is a great place. There are...
Reed is a great place. There are so many incredible people here, so many incredible resources, and so much intensity. You are on your own completely, which is hard at first, and may be a freedom abused by first-year students (hence the high attrition rate). The only drawback I find is that Reedies can be quite arrogant and often are convinced they are too intellectual to be happy and open individuals. However, this is not predominate in any way, and sunny weather always brings happy Reedies out of their holes to play, and play they do, unlike any other school. |
Anonymous says: |
I know I am happier here than I...
I know I am happier here than I would be anywhere else. Sure it’s a lot of work sometimes, but if you’re seriously looking at Reed, that shouldn’t bother you. |
Anonymous says: |
Socially, I am unhappy. It may...
Socially, I am unhappy. It may just be that I do not fit in here, but partly, I think it is the fault of the school. Reed can be a very lonely place. You don’t have a roommate after freshman year, and (at least in my dorm), people don’t really use the social lounge, so I don’t see people around much except in classes or when I am working with them on homework. Many people here are unhappy, I think. Lots and lots of people are on anti-depressants. |
Anonymous says: |
Reed is amazing. You will know if...
Reed is amazing. You will know if Reed is for you. |
Anonymous says: |
I love Reed. It’s been great for...
I love Reed. It’s been great for me, and I feel very prepared for graduate school. |
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