<p>So according to a Skidmore friend, if you want to be more self-directed or if you have particular extracurriculars you prioritize as equally important to your official studies, go to Skidmore. They have a motto or something like ‘learning beyond the classroom’ and seem to want students to do as much outside as inside the classroom. And their academics are probably a little better than you might think, but it sounds like you get out of it what you put into it. </p>
<p>Reed is probably more focused on learning inside the classroom, or through structured programs and opportunities (i.e. research collaborations with professors), and though they encourage student initiative, it’s not like you can design your own major. But you can definitely have more of a social life and extracurricular presence than you might think. Also if you want to go to grad school, Reed is really great preparation for that.</p>