<p>As a Reed alumnus (from a previous generation), I can report that there is no “deflation” of grades, there is just slower or lower “inflation” compared to many colleges. Graduate and professional schools know this and often make adjustments for it. It should be apparent that Reed grads suffer no disadvantage because of this. The evidence based on “Outcomes” listed on the Reed website makes clear that Reedies have very high acceptance rates to graduate and professional programs: [REED</a> COLLEGE STUDENT OUTCOMES](<a href=“http://web.reed.edu/ir/outcomes.html]REED”>Outcomes - Institutional Research - Reed College)</p>
<p>From my own personal experience, my cumulative GPA was in the B+ range, but I got into every doctoral program and law school I applied to, and these were serious places: Stanford, Berkeley (Boalt), Chicago, and (my safety at that time) Hastings (all in law) ;and Princeton and Wisconsin (doctoral programs). That grades are more realistic at Reed is no reason not to attend.</p>
<p>Regarding the retention or time to completion question, I’ve addressed this on a recent thread here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/398658-graduation-rate.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/reed-college/398658-graduation-rate.html</a></p>
<p>Reed’s program is definitely demanding, but one of the payoffs is the preparation for graduate school should you choose to go. I think the chances to do independent research and the general approach to learning are very consistent with the style of learning in graduate school. Reed encourages you to think.</p>