Reed College Top Questions

Students say they study a lot, but they also procrastinate a lot. Nonetheless, they love to brag about how much work they have and be really dramatic about it. Student's aren't competitive when it comes to grades though, since we aren't given grades unless we ask for them. Professors will know your name and class participation is a given. The education in many at Reed is not geared toward getting a job (unless in academia), since it's heavily theory-oriented.

OF COURSE the profs know your name, it was more a problem of hiding from them if you had turned in a paper late, rather than them knowing who you were. I loved Modern Japan (history) and Senior Symposium (humanities). Students aren't really competitive, but there is positive peer pressure to work hard and be on your game. Students have intellectual conversations in class/out of class, in the coffee line, on the night bus, at the Beer Garden at Renn Fayre, in their sleep. Hum 110 is the most unique. The subject matter is pretty straightforward: Greeks, Romans, Early Christians; Literature, History, Philosophy, Art History, but the way the class is structured makes it unique. all freshmen take the same lecture and then have small conference classes. All the Hum papers for all freshmen have the same due date, everyone is reading the same thing, everyone has the same exam. It's a really really high quality, demanding humanities class, but also hardcore academic bootcamp, and a bonding experience for the class. Requirements and classes are definitely geared toward learning for it's won sake, rather than getting a job.

Professors know their students. Students have intellectual conversations outside of class. Education at Reed is largely for its own sake.

The professors are uniformly excellent. You would be hard pushed to come across a staff more dedicated to their students. The professors who taught me all made the effort to learn my name and gladly offered their time outside of class to provide support and have further discussions. The facilities available to the students are excellent. the curriculum is not for the faint hearted. You will be pushed close to your limits. If you do not get an innate enjoyment from learning then stay away for your own safety. For those willing to put the work in it a totally engaging and fulfilling time.

Oh how education at Reed is geared toward learning for its own sake! Some would say too much, though I think those are the people who might want to consider going to school somewhere else. We are not a pre-professional institution, though we might be considered a pre-professorial institution. Reed's curriculum is generally theory-driven, which isn't for everyone; some people begin to feel like they're not learning anything useful. I, on the other hand, find that mastering the theory in your field is incredibly rewarding and prepares you to confront a wider range of issues than you might otherwise have been able to understand. And of course it prepares you for those intellectual conversations that Reedies most certainly do have outside of class. Because, I think, most of us genuinely care about our fields and genuinely believe that what we're studying is important, the ideas we're working with naturally come up in our personal conversations. We don't leave our work at the door, it's part of who we are. My professors do know my name and I do spend time with some of them outside of class. I have met here some of the wisest people I know, and some of those conversations with professors outside of class have been life-changing, honestly, because some of the smartest people in the world, essentially, have paid attention to my work and my life and offered their wisdom. They've helped me become better, not just at my academic work, but at understanding and owning my potential in all realms of my life.

Reed is nerd heaven. You will almost always find another weirdo with whom you can babble about semiotics or organic chemistry. Professors (at least the good ones) demand that your brain be stretched, and if it hasn't been than you've missed the point. The college tries to form you into a working machine, and an analytical automaton. This has happened to me, and I have to admire the people who've resisted it and still manage. There are downsides to this which I've seen in myself, like a loss of creativity and a tendency towards pragmatism. But the academics are one place where Reed really lives up to its reputation.

Relations between students and faculty are pretty informal and close. Everyone (including the professors) are on a first name basis. We'll have class outside on the grass. People will drink or hang out with some of their professors. Hugging a professor is not unheard of. Reed faculty is generally extremely friendly. Before being hired, they have a lunch with students who determine whether or not they're personable. It's an important aspect of Reed academics, because of the conference-style classes we have. I'm not sure what my -favorite- class is, but I really enjoy the French program here. I just started taking it this year, and I've already learned a lot. Other students have said that the language programs here are really amazing, and I'd have to agree. Class participation is a must. Most classes, even the intro ones with large lectures, have smaller conference/lab components with professors (no TAs!). Reed encourages students to learn how to verbalize and present ideas and defend them. It's not hard at all to find intellectual conversations outside of class. Especially during freshman year when everyone is taking Humanities 110, there's something in common to talk about. Seeing how students don't know their grades usually, Reed isn't very competitive. It's pretty taboo to talk about grades or brag about how you did. People compete with themselves to do their best, really. Reed's academic requirements are fairly flexible, except for Hum 110. There are a series of 'groups' which include different departments. Students have to fulfill a certain number of credits in each group. For example, one group has math and foreign languages in it. So to fulfill that group requirement, a student can either take math or a foreign language. Depending on the major (sciences are the toughest), there are other requirements in your department and division. Reed is definitely geared towards learning for its own sake. Not that Reedies have problems after graduating; many go to grad school to continue their education. But the scope of a Reed education isn't very vocational.

All of my professors know my name. We exchange friendly emails from time to time. I can't really pick my favorite class because I'm in a lot of intro classes right now, which means I'm just getting a taste of everything. I really enjoy them though. Students study ALL THE TIME. On weekends, weekdays. Seriously. But it's fun. It's okay. You get used to that life style. The conferences are small, which makes for a lot of student participation. Students always have intellectual conversations outside of class. We think it's fun to do crossword puzzles together and talk about politics, now that the election is approaching. Some students are competitive, but mainly with themselves. We're always pushing ourselves to do better. The education is geared towards learning for learning's sake. We LOVE learning.

Professors know my name, and I know their name. I am very pleased with the amounts of intellectual conversations outside of class.

Every one of my teachers knows my name. The classes themselves are small and conference style, and even the big science class lecturers come to conference or lab to talk to the students, answer questions, and get to know them. If I could change one thing I would make the academic system much more flexible. The requirements for classes and the required curriculum is a bit outdated and conservative. My favorite class is my Spanish film and Literature class concerning Mexican identity. While there is a lot of reading, movies outside of class, and intense in-class participation required, the material is really interesting, and I feel like I'm gaining a lot. My least favorite class right now is Political Behavior. It's an introduction class, but I feel like the school has made it into a general Political Science intro, because I haven't really seen any aspect of the behavior, only basic information on numbers, comparisons, and research papers. I'm able to talk to my professor outside of class if I run into them around campus and feel entirely comfortable, which is nice. The students aren't super competitive like at other schools; it's more like we're intensely focused on what we have to do to be a good student in relation to ourselves instead of as a comparison. At some points it feels like Reed is focused only on learning for its own sake, but I also feel that when you talk about it, teachers can really help you talk about your future.

All of my professors know my name. I'm pretty sure they also talk to one another about me. They are very interested in what we have to say in class and in papers. During my freshman year, I would have half hour one-on-one paper conferences with my professor after turning in Humanities papers. In my favorite class right now, the English Renaissance, my professor assigns absurd amounts of reading that we couldn't possibly finish because he wants us to have lots of interesting material for class time. We read Elizabethan Parlimentary speeches, Shakespeare and post-Reformation tracts. When we get to class my professor can always point out interesting ambiguities in texts and give us incredible anecdotes about the writers and subjects. Reed professors are very good at piquing your interest in a subject both in and outside of class. They are always recommending books to me, as do other students. I came here to learn how to think like an academic, or in the very least a life-long learner, and so far it's working well for me.

Many professors know my name; it impresses me. My favorite class is Developmental Psychology. My least favorite was a Russian Literature class I took as a freshman, and felt very intimidated by the older students and the professor. Students are constantly studying. Class participation is vital in the majority of classes. Reedies often discuss intellectual things outside of class, often over meals. I spend some time with my Psychology professors outside of class. I do not mind Reed's academic requirements, as they fall in line with what I would take otherwise and for a Psycholgoy major, they are relatively small. I'm not sure if Reed is geared towards getting a job or just learning.

Yep, the professors know my name. Mostly they mispronounce it but that's because it's an uncommon pronouncement of a somewhat common name. My favorite class right now would be English: American Success and Failure. I get to read really interesting books and the discussion's always stimulating. Least favorite class was the one I had to drop because I really didn't like it and was struggling so much. That would be Chemistry. Students study all the time, and I don't know how so many find time to do other things. Class participation is great, if you're not participating the professor notices and will talk to you about it and see if there's anything wrong. It's terrifying, but it helps. As far as Reedies having intellectual conversations outside of class, yes. Yes they do. How often do I find myself walking to class and someone's having an argument about something like molecular biology..for fun. It's sick.

the academics at reed are outstanding. the classes are small (about 15-20 people, generally), and very few have lecture components. since grades aren't released unless requested, students are not competitive with each other. requirements are loose, but the range of classes is limited because the school is so small. generally, the edcation at reed is not really geared towards training for the professional world, but rather preparation for further education. students at reed just love to learn. really, they have to love it because there is so much homework assigned for each class that it would be torture if they didn't. really, the work load can be epic, especially for upperclassmen, and most people aren't prepared for that before they come, no matter how much warning they receive.

Most professors know us by name. Students study all the time - probably a minimum of four or five hours a day. Class participation is "mandatory", but participation ranges a span of not at all to too much. Reedies do spend time with professors outside of class. This is very cool. Reed education is certainly about learning for its own sake. We hear lots of horror stories about Reedies not getting jobs after graduating, despite their incredible education.

I can walk in to any office and the prof is always willing to talk.

Academics at Reed are great- especially if you can find your professor "soul mate" or maybe even a few. Classes can be really hit or miss depending on your relationship with the professor. I took a class last semester, the content of which I thought would be great, but which was ruined by a professor I simply could not see eye to eye with, nor that I could respect. However, if you can find professors who understand you, and who you understand, you can get a lot of personal attention in classes, and really get what you need out of them. It isn't a bad idea at all to take a class that doesn't sound interesting but that has a good professor- because a good professor can make anything interesting. My favorite class was Literary Theory. It kicked my ass North, South, East, and West until I thought I didn't have one anymore. I often thought I wasn't getting anything, and really struggled with the concepts. However, everything was so interesting. The professor who has taught it since the Big Bang (who shall go unnamed, but is the cornerstone of the French department) is one of the smartest and most modest people I have ever met. He was able to make Derrida make sense in under five minutes. That class changed the way I think and also the way I understand everything I now read. Things just suddenly make more sense, as I can see them in the contextual frames that they were always in. That class will probably remain my favorite class of all time, and one of the most challenging growth opportunities I ever had. Plus, it wasn't bad that I got my highest grade ever at Reed in it- although, of course, we don't care about grades here.

Students at Reed study all the time. This is pretty much true. It depends on the individual and their course of study, but there is always work to be doing. I probably study ten hours a day, depending on how much class I have. Reedies are always having conversations outside of class; conversations that are intellectual, emotional, spiritual, historical, theoretical, factual, mythological...throw in any word you want and somewhere a conversation like that is probably happening. No one is competitive here, though. Grades exist somewhere, but we don't see them. No one has a desire to. The focus is on the passion and diligence you and your colleagues bring to the academic environment-and professors are our colleagues, as well. They know the names of all their students and are incredibly accessible. Reed's academic requirements are considered conservative. You have to take a few classes in every field, plus there are requirements for different majors. It is a hassle to spend two years fulfilling requirements, especially if you aren't sure about your major. I am a religion major, and I love my department. It is small and friendly, and the required classes were all really challenging on a theoretical level. I wish I had the opportunity to learn more about many different religions, however. Having to take introductory level courses in each religious system before moving on to the upper levels often seems like a disadvantage. At Reed, the focus is on education for its own sake, definitely. There are resources for people concerned with their future careers and many people take advantage of them, but the day-to-day emphasis is on a love of learning.

Classes are small at Reed, so we really get to know our professors. My favorite class this year is Humanities 110. It is the one required class at Reed, taken by all freshmen. I love reading, especially about philosophy, so this class is great for me. My least favorite class is Chinese, which I took first semester, then dropped. It was extremely hard, and I never particularly cared for the language to begin with. Students study a lot, and I'm just a lowly freshmen. Seniors, who obviously have the hardest load, often sleep in the library. Reed students have frequent intellectual conversations outside of class, which is one of the reasons why I love Reed so much. The academic atmosphere at Reed is very nice because we don't see our grades. As long as you are getting a C or higher, you don't know what grade you get in a class. Because of this, we don't compete with each other to get the highest GPA. The most unique classes I've taken have been Humanities (which I've already explained) and Music Since 1968. In the music class, we have weekly assignments to listen to music such as Radiohead and Missy Elliott, and then discuss it. The Missy Elliott discussion was interesting because somehow race and music elitism got into the discussion. The education at Reed is definitely geared toward learning for its own sake. Since most Reedies end up going to graduate school afterward, we are brought up with the idea that the undergraduate degree doens't really matter. While this could have possibly negative effects, instead, it puts into perspective the fact that we should pursue the subject we want to pursue, instead of pursuing a major that we think will make big bucks. Since grades are practically invisible, students focus more on understanding rather than getting an A in a class.

Personally, I have never been intoxicated by the facilitation of a professor. But I hear it's been done.

Most professors will not only know your name, but know more about you than you might think. They are very perceptive and are almost as invested in your education as you are. Of course, this all varies from professor to professor, but I have had little disappointment with the professors that I have had. The conference style classes at Reed are designed to facilitate this, and professors often serve more as facilitators of discussion rather than lecturers. While we recieve a traditional GPA and grades, they are not shown to the student unless he or she has lower than a C average in the class, or they request a transcript. This keeps competition to a minimum, though of course egos tend to collide in a conference setting. This is a much more productive form of competition, however, as at least something can be learned from in-class debates. Our education is very conservative, in the sense that we have very few courses geared towards immediately practical application. Reed is truly a school where one learns for learning's sake.

Knowing professors here is similar to knowing them in high school. Reed's conference style classes really allow student-teacher interaction on a personal level that you can't get at huge universities. As a result of these conference style classes, class participation is off the charts: from insight to questions, everything gets addressed. Conversation outside of class regarding coursework is common, sometimes too common. People here are generally interested in subjects outside of their concentration, allowing good conversations to flow regularly. My favorite class right now is my Introduction to Analysis class in the math department. Reed's philosophy of teaching makes this class very different from any math class I've taken in high school. Instead of being calculation based, this class teaches the students why the mathematics they are learning works. It is an incredible system, and I have derived more from this math class than any I have previously taken. Reed's academic requirements are demanding, and force you to vary from your field throughout your career here. It is a liberal arts college, after all :) Reed's education is definitely, definitely geared toward learning for its own sake. There are no perfectly job-aligned majors here, and classes are designed to be rigorous, rather than to pump out tons of undergrads with degrees.