<p>I agree that Reed is generally pretty amazing. The viewbook isn’t totally off base and does a decent job at presenting what Reed can be, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. So don’t doubt the fact that you resonate with it too much. </p>
<p>Though Reed magazine is an interesting read, it is probably still self-conscious of its presentation of the college because magazines like that are often used as a tool to raise donations by keeping alumni informed. Reed is pretty positive about itself and perhaps that wears off on the students. Or maybe it really is that great. That’s for you to decide.</p>
<p>If you follow reedlj (live journal account), that might give you another perspective on things from current students.</p>
<p>I don’t think admissions tries to hide anything per se, they just put a positive spin on it. Like the much-touted rigorous curriculum, intellectual environment, etc also translates into a really intense workload, a stress culture surrounding said workload, and having little free time on weekdays because you’re (seemingly) always studying. I would say you have to prioritize and make time for the ECs you want to do at Reed more than other colleges-- you can’t do everything or you’ll burn out (PS I’m a transfer so I have some perspective on the way other schools do things). The promotion of “Learning for the sake of learning” and the conservative curriculum perhaps doesn’t do justice to how non-vocational (i.e. not practical) Reed is. It is a great preparation for further studies or a career in academia (and Reed DOES produce a very high number of PhDs), but perhaps not so great for those who just want to get a BA and enter the workforce (though that may be more the fault of hiring managers nowadays who don’t value the less tangible skills and qualifications that come with a liberal arts education and who prefer specialized degrees). </p>
<p>I guess with pretty much any aspect of… well, anything… positive qualities for some people (like a small community) can be negative aspects to others (feels like an insular bubble), so if you are an eternal cynic you will always find something to complain about. </p>
<p>I can’t speak to the experience of African Americans on campus, but I think students generally have a healthy respect for each other because they know it takes a lot to get into Reed and even more to stay in… so it seems like people generally treat each other as intellectual peers rather than stereotypes. Like with people I don’t particularly like/get, I remind myself that they are probably brilliant at something I know nothing about and it keeps me from discrediting them.</p>