Reed College Reviews

The campus safety officers are...

The campus safety officers are never far away when you need them. Even if you’ve just locked yourself out of your room or are uncomfortable walking back to the dorm at two in the morning, they’re always there to help out.

There are lots of campus security...

There are lots of campus security officers who wander about and whose encounters with students in various states of intoxication provide the basis for entertaining reading in the Quest student newspaper. For such an open campus, Reed is a very safe place. Unless the ubiquitous squirrels decide to form a massive coup and enslave us all, I cannot think of anything that would make me concerned about my personal safety.

I don’t find there to be a problem...

I don’t find there to be a problem with it. Every now and again, a break-in of some kind occurs, but I’ve never felt unsafe, even alone at night.

The campus is very safe. I almost...

The campus is very safe. I almost never feel that I am in danger.

CSOs (Campus Security Officers)...

CSOs (Campus Security Officers) are everywhere. They’re ready to help you out for whatever reason—if you lock yourself out of your room or building, or if you fall off a skateboard and need a ride to the ER.

The food in Commons gets tedious,...

The food in Commons gets tedious, but Expo is usually good, and they do a good job of trying to offer variety. There’s a lot of catering to vegans, vegetarians, and the occasional, barbaric meat-eater.

The only food hall on campus is...

The only food hall on campus is Commons, which is fairly good. Like any cafeteria, it gets old after a while, but they really are innovative. They have gotten several recent awards for bringing interesting dishes into the college environment. There are always vegetarian, and yes, vegan choices, though the meat is pretty good, too. The hours are good, except on weekends. At what other college can you get sushi for lunch?

The classes are fantastic,...

The classes are fantastic, particularly the conferences. The professors are all very knowledgeable and excited about their subjects and more than willing to help their students.

How interesting classes are...

How interesting classes are depends very much upon how much you’re willing to put into them. The teachers are uniformly very good, but they can’t really do very much if the class is not into the discussions. This, I suppose, is the only possible drawback to a small-group style of teaching. If you want to be anonymous and quiet, it’s very hard to get anything out of the class.

Professors are generally engaged...

Professors are generally engaged and motivated, although a few are a bit, shall I say, useless. The classes are good, except that several of my conference-type classes have been too big. I find it impossible to have a useful discussion in a class of more than 12 or so.

Most of the teachers and classes...

Most of the teachers and classes are interesting as long as you slept the night before.

Portland is a great city. It’s...

Portland is a great city. It’s small enough to not feel overwhelming, but big enough that you can find big-city amenities like arts, little shops, and cool people. Plus, public transportation here is great.

Our society has the strange idea...

Our society has the strange idea that diversity can only be measured ethnically. Concerning ethnicity, Reed is rather homogeneous. The vast majority of people are caucasian. However, when it comes to different points of view and ideas, Reed is very diverse. Everybody has his or her own ideals, and that’s okay unless you’re a Republican. If you are, then you will either have to keep it a secret or take some criticism.

Reedies tend to be very...

Reedies tend to be very intelligent and rather bookish. They might not all be what most people would call hot, but there are definitely some very attractive people. Anything that the average Reedie lacks on the outside in looks, they more than make up for with inner beauty. If you want a relationship with an airhead, you might need to do a bit of a search.

Well, every year the freshman...

Well, every year the freshman class is dubbed the hottest class yet. Unfortunately, through osmosis, they all start looking grungy and tired like the rest of us at some point. You have to like grungy, stressed people for Reedies to be attractive, but on average, we’re college students. Aren’t young, healthy people supposed to be attractive?

The girls here are totally hot. So...

The girls here are totally hot. So are the guys. Sometimes they don’t bathe, though, and that’s pretty icky. In general, though, it’s felt recently that every incoming class is hotter than the last. However, Reedies don’t date or have sex that often, because we’re all too darn busy.

My friend visiting from Boston...

My friend visiting from Boston said, ‘People are so ugly here!’ I never would have said ugly, but then I go to other schools, and it seems like everyone is so good-looking.

If you’re not a big fan of drugs,...

If you’re not a big fan of drugs, then it’s perfectly fine. There’s a very good substance-free dorm here, and they’re a tight-knit group. If you want to get your fix, I suppose that’s perfectly possible.

If you ask most people about drug...

If you ask most people about drug use here at Reed, they will say there is no more here than anywhere else, it is just more open. According to a past survey comparing Reed to similar schools, we do significantly more drugs, but these results weren’t released to the public. The most you will get anyone to admit is that drugs here are used in more concentrated bouts than elsewhere. All I know is, I hear and read about people using cocaine and other drugs that I never heard about people using in high school. Then again, maybe I was just sheltered.

Campus security isn’t too strict....

Campus security isn’t too strict. They treat us like adults. This compels us to act responsibly toward drugs and alcohol. The shock of being able to drink or get high all the time does take some getting used to.

The Community Safety Officers will...

The Community Safety Officers will talk to you if they find you using illegal substances or alcohol if you’re underage, but they won’t turn you in. They will also help you home if you are so wasted or drunk you can’t remember how to get back to your dorm.

Although this place is not without...

Although this place is not without its flaws, and there is an alienating cultish mentality to being a ‘Reedie,’ I am happy here. I do not know of a place where I would rather be.

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.

Reed is amazing. You will know if...

Reed is amazing. You will know if Reed is for you.

My teachers are all fantastic....

My teachers are all fantastic. They’re fun and brilliant and are here because they love to teach. My classes are all interesting, interactive, and informative.