<p>Prestige? if you’re planning to go to an LAC for prestige, then you will be very disappointed. That said, Haverford is more prestigious in the northeast, Reed in the west, Mac in Minnesota, and Grinnell in the midwest, generally. Prestige is mostly regional unless it comes to grad school admissions where all these schools are viewed in equal light.</p>
<p>All of them have superb academics. </p>
<p>All of them have superb financial aid.</p>
<p>Yes, Reed is known much more for its drug culture than the other schools but alcohol consumption is pretty much the same in all four. </p>
<p>It is silly to make college decisions looking at PhD production rates. While I’m pro-Reed, I can tell you without any reservation that any of these schools would do a very fine job at preparing you for grad school. I think the main considerations here should be 1) fit 2) location.</p>