Will I fit in at Reed?

SonicFan63
Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:50:28 +0000

This is a question that has been asked by many before me, but the answer always seems to boil down to this: if you’re passionate about academics and “weird,” you’ll fit in. I recently visited Reed, and met quite a few students, but they all came across as being either enthusiastic, passionate, and quirky, or (what I saw more often) overly relaxed, seemingly bored, and just the slightest bit condescending. Everything that I have read has said that Reedies are intellectual, nerdy, socially awkward, and nonconformist people, yet nobody seemed nerdy or socially awkward, and most students came across as seemingly lacking most all enthusiasm. I’m writing this because, as someone who is exceedingly socially awkward (meaning I am afraid of talking to others, equally afraid of not being able to make friends, and constantly worried about being a square peg in a round hole), I want to find a school where I feel comfortable talking to others and what’s more important, feel included. At Reed, during the time I visited, I felt as though my awkwardness in groups and enthusiasm for all the things I’m interested in caused me to be somewhat of an outcast. Was my experience indicative of the people and social atmosphere of Reed? Will someone (me) who is socially awkward, nerdy (but not in the way that’s currently cool), in love with biochemistry and twentieth century history and music and philosophy, intelligent, socially awkward, socially awkward, enthusiastic/excited about many things, and most importantly, unwilling to bend from who I am, be able to find friends, fit in, and enjoy life at Reed College? I thank you all for your responses!