A friend’s son, who fit the same description as yours coming out of high school, went to Columbia where he found himself in all seminar classes. It was do the readings and participate in discussions in the small seminars or fail. He fell in love with academics and rose to the occasion.
College is about getting an education, about improving yourself, about becoming better than you are. I think it’s worth the gamble. Reed is the kind of place that can bring out the best in him.