Can I get into Reed

Ctesiphon
Sun, 15 Feb 2015 09:08:33 +0000

I was rejected from my ED colleges, so Reed is my first choice now for RD. Should I have a decent shot at getting in? I feel like I should have moved on from being the type to make chance threads but it’s 3:00 AM and I’m bored.

UW GPA: 3.72
ACT: 32 & 31, (33 if superscored but unsure if Reed does so, I sent both anyway)
In top 16% of class
ECs: A few but but very passionate about them (Science-related), we won nationwide awards for our work. I also have a job where I work around 16-22 hours/week.
Major: Physics
From Missouri
Significant financial need (Reed net price calc will give us basically free tuition, but I know they are need-aware so it may affect admissions)
Essays: Common app is great, depicts a passion for astronomy and a love for learning. Why Read essay is pretty good, imo demonstrates an affinity and interest for Reed.
No real hook
Lots of AP classes. Strong upward trend (received A’s and B’s throughout HS, but took only one honors class in fresh and soph years, junior & senior year took almost all AP/honors classes. Got Straight A’s first semester senior year)

Should I get my hopes up? Reed still does have a low acceptance rate even if I fall into a statistically viable range for admissions.

Also, where does Reed’s 3.9 average GPA figure come from. Is that weighted or UW gpa? It would seem odd for me to for that to be the average UW gpa, since many other schools with such higher avg. gpas also have higher avg. class rank, test scores, etc. Reed only has 52% of accepted students in top decile of class, avg. ACT is 31.