<p>If you love writing, and like Reed, you might also want to check out Sarah Lawrence College. Although Reed had creative writing courses, they are not automatically open to everyone - you need to submit writing samples and be approved for admission by the professor. Sarah Lawrence shares a lot of Reed’s characteristics, but some might consider it a better choice for students who interested in creative writing as a major.</p>
<p>Another great school to check out if you are interested in human rights work is Earlham College in Indiana. Like Sarah Lawrence, it shares some characteristics with Reed, and they have some very unique and wonderful programs for people interested in careers in human rights and human development. They also offer some excellent merit scholarships. </p>
<p>If you’re interested in public relations, do also take a look at Syracuse Unversity. Although it is different than Reed, they do have a wonderful public relations major in their Newhouse School of Communications. (If you’re wondering why I am encouraging you to look at other schools besides Reed, it is because much is likely to change between now and senior year — keep your options open, and consider lots of different colleges at this point!)</p>
<p>The other thing I would suggest is that you ask your parents to get an idea of what their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at out-of-state schools might be. A good way to do this is to go to the college board site, [::</a> College Planning Made Easy | Inside Source for College Admissions Requirements](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5D::”>http://www.collegeboard.com), and under the student section, look for “paying for college.” There is a calculator there that your parents can use to get an idea of what their EFC under Federal Methodology (used by most public schools) and Institutional Methodology (used by about 250 private schools, including Reed and Sarah Lawrence) might be. If you will need financial aid, here are some of the questions you should be asking every college’s financial aid office at this point: Do you guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated need (this is the cost of attendance minus your family’s EFC as determined by Federal or Institutional Methodology)? What type of merit scholarships are available, and what type of grades and test scores would make me eligible for them? What is the average amount of loans you give to freshmen? To sophomores and juniors and seniors? I would also suggest that you read the information on financial aid on the college board website, and discuss it with your parents. By discussing this with them now, and gathering information directly from colleges that interest you about their financial aid policies, your parents may be more willing to consider out of state schools down the road. </p>
<p>Good luck - it is great that you are thinking ahead, and planning for the future!</p>