<p>I always wonder what HS students have against distribution requirements - for me that’s not a con or a pro, just a feature of the school. Colleges in the liberal arts tradition want their student to take classes across the curriculum - hence the meaning of a liberal arts college - and that’s why they have distribution requirements, but you have a great deal of freedom within those requirements. And even then, it doesn’t end up being that many classes. I truly enjoyed all of my distributional requirements at my LAC, and they only amounted to 7 courses (11 if you count my 4 semesters of language). I took at least 35 classes at my LAC, and at colleges where classes are 3 credits instead of 4, you’ll take more like 40+. I also really enjoyed writing my senior thesis, but I did it by choice.</p>
<p>There are some minor differences but on their face, Reed and Grinnell are more similar than different. I think the biggest difference is the urban environment of Reed vs. the rural location of Grinnell, but for you, the deciding factor is likely to be financial aid. So wait until you get your package back.</p>