<p>I’m a non-trad transfer student at Reed studying sculpture, feel free to PM me…</p>
<p>Briefly:
- There are a number of non-traditional (i.e. older than 24) students at Reed and they have become more visible/vocal the last few years, but are definitely still a minority (like technically something like 40 students are non-trads, but it’s really more like 25). We created a student group and hang out from time to time (happy hours and whatnot), and Reed is trying to give us more support, but it isn’t the older commuter student environment like PSU. Non-trads come to Reed at all ages (though late 20s/early 30s is the most prevalent) and from all walks of life. and several are transfers from PCC or PSU. There are 6 right now that I know of that are studying art or art history.
- IMO, the MALS program is not worth it. No financial aid, very slow to complete, useless degree. If you don’t want to enroll in the undergrad program at Reed but still want to experience the Reed education, just audit classes.
- Financial aid is pretty good for independent students who make little money. Plus there are federal (and some Reed?) grants for people returning to school. If your EFC is fairly accurate, you probably won’t accrue more than $16k in federal subsidized loans over 4 years.
- The studio art department is very small. There’s basically 1 prof for sculpture, 1 for drawing/painting/printmaking, and 1 for digital media (and a few staff members and some visiting professors now and then). However, the professors we do have are excellent and I LOVE the sculpture program. Yes, we do have mig welders, oxy ace, and classes that teach welding. And yes, some people do make art that is actually interesting/thought-provoking/compelling. Like the rest of Reed, the art department does not escape being challenging, intellectual, and requiring a lot of work.
- Do you still have that essay on a computer/disc somewhere? Perhaps you could resubmit it to your old prof to comment on again, or a new prof, or just explain your situation and submit it to Reed without comments. The admissions office is very nice and understanding of alternative situations.
- You will probably get credit for some of the classes you’ve taken at PCC/PSU, so you wouldn’t start as a freshman but more likely as a sophomore or second-semester sophomore.</p>
<p>Basically, don’t think that your situation is so extreme that you should disqualify yourself from applying if you really want to study at Reed. Visit again and get more info from adults (non-trads, professors, Beth the transfer coordinator), sit in on some classes and decide whether it’s worth it for you.</p>