Questions from an incoming transfer applicant (Fall 2014)

SHolmies
Sun, 29 Jun 2014 17:37:55 +0000

Congrats on your acceptance! Transfer admissions is really competitive.

1) I would encourage looking into the option of taking an upper-level humanities course combined with any Group A or B course in lieu of Hum 110 unless the course content really interests you. I know, I know, that is totally sacrilegious but some transfers and older students I know had wished they had done that, since they are in a very different place than all bright-eyed bushy-tailed 18-year-olds that make up 95% of Hum 110. Hum 110 is worthwhile but one of its goals is teaching freshman how to do college, specifically Reed, and breaking them in a bit. If you have never had conference-based classes or are unsure if you can handle Reed’s level of reading/ writing/ critical thinking, then it might be very useful to you.
If you do decide on an upper-div Hum class, I highly recommend Hum 220.

As far as the rest of Group A and B requirements, do what interests you. Ghostt is right that Logic (Philosophy) might make a lot of sense for Group A, and you seem to be leaning towards Anthro/Psych for Group B. Read the course descriptions and see what sticks out. There’s not really a right/wrong answer, nor are there “easy 'A’s”, but you are generally going to be more successful at what interests and engages you.

You are required to fulfill Group X which is 2 courses in any one subject outside of your major. It could be Music Theory or Linguistics or Creative Writing or Russian lit or Modern Dance or anything. Do you have any transfer credit for classes other than Math or Physics? That might fulfill at least part of Group X. It might also fulfill all or part of A or B if they are the right courses.

Go a little easy on yourself your first semester. Take 3 or 3.5 units if you can, see what it’s like, and then add more the following semesters.

4) Physics is a demanding major but presumably you have an aptitude for it, so ymmv. A good strategy for Reed is to prioritize the EC activities that are important to you, and then learn to juggle them along with your courseload. A big mistake is to think you never have time to pursue anything but your academic work because then you will likely never make time to pursue anything else. But if you commit up front to one or two outside actives, then often you will learn to make it work and find time you potentially didn’t realize you had. Also check out the workshops the DoJo offers on time management, reading effectively, etc.