<p>hmmm … I wonder what kind of “mistake” I am? I didn’t interview – couldn’t make the trip to Portland and applied to Reed on the strength of its academic reputation. I got the fat letter with the confetti (along with acceptances from other, initially-higher-choice schools) and put it aside, thinking Reed wasn’t really for me (I don’t drink, do drugs, or enjoy dancing naked on the square). It wasn’t until I visited, spent the night with Reedies, attended class, and explored campus that I realized Reed IS for me. So why did Reed accept me in the first place? Yeah, my grades and scores are good, I take my academics seriously, but I come across on paper as preppie conservative. My essays were really aimed at ivies. Because I didn’t interview, Admissions didn’t get a chance to see who I really am. Either the admissions people are very astute at reading between the lines, and saw I was a good match before I knew it myself, or they totally goofed.</p>