Reed College Top Questions

The LGBTQ community on campus is really great. Reed is really one of the best places to be gay in the US I think. It's really a non-issue. Otherwise, Reed is not racially diverse, and is often very sexist. I think it would be a difficult place for hispanic, black, and female students not because of actual oppression but because people are so politically correct that oftentimes dialogue that needs to happen just doesn't happen. As far as clothes go, you can wear basically whatever you want and no one will care, it's all been done before. Also there is a LOT of money at Reed, lots of very wealthy students.

LGBT folks are very much accepted. People seem to try to be different in clothing and manner. People are generally quite nice, though. Alot of Reedies from California...perhaps too many. If you don't swing left...well, even the outdoors trip leaders swing left, and they just work here occasionally. If you didn't come in a democrat, you'd probably leave one.

Reed's ethnic makeup is not very diverse; as a Hispanic person, I feel that the student body needs a serious makeover, in terms of attracting minorities. On the other hand, I have never experienced racism or any other overtly negative interactions because of my ethnicity; all people, whether genuinely or because of politically correctness, are very respectful and tolerant of diversity. People who identify with LGBT culture are overwhelming accepted and embraced. Students wear whatever they want to class, generally; from pajamas to suits. The student body is very much left of center and a majority could be classified as middle-to upper class.

Reed student body is not diverse. The school in recent years has been making some steps in the right direction in order to create some more diversity on campus, but as of right now the student body is mostly middle to upper class white students. The students that do go to Reed, regardless of their race or class tend to hold relatively similar ideas in respect to politics and also what is socially and culturally acceptable and what is not. Most Reed students are from the West Coast, as Reed does alot of its recruiting from California and the surrounding Northwest area. There are alot of self-prescribed 'acitivists' and 'anarchists' on campus, although I'd say there are probably nearly as many true politically and socially aware students as well. The student body has alot of people who were considered nerds or social outcasts in highschool and there is an understood stigma at Reed that Reedies are really awkward and sometimes border on completely inept in social circles. I would say the most uncomfortable type of student at Reed would be a Black, Evangelical, straight-edge conservative who eats alot of steak and drives a hummer.

The Reed student body needs more diversity. While Reedies are typically liberal, progressive, informed individuals, they are on the majority white and privileged. This makes being a minority somewhat difficult, because as smart and liberal as some kids are, the lack of exposure to people of different backgrounds, whether ethnic, religious, or socio-economic results in ignorance, and even a reluctance for open dialogue about important issues in the minority community. There are some support centers for minority students, but the majority of the student body has never had to confront issues of racism, classism, or sexism but many assume that they are an authority on these issues and as a minority student, I feel uncomfortable with this.

apathetic in general, but that seems to be changing with new Hum 110 initiatives and a stricter drug and alcohol policy. Everyone is different and there is a group of friends for every type of person. You can be yourself at this school. Conformity doesn't exist (unless you want the attention of the hipsters), and you can truly be yourself on campus.

Reedies are not a homogeneous group. If you make an effort, you will find people you with whom you fit in. Queer kids in particular are welcome. There are some militantly atheistic students at Reed, but my Christian and Muslim friends seem to feel comfortable. The one exception: vocally intolerant bigots are generally unwelcome. There are apparently a lot of very sensitive students at Reed, and as a result, every bit of political incorrectness incites an uproar. I view this as a sign that Reed welcomes students of every possible background. Politically and religiously conservative students are rare, but won't have trouble feeling welcome as long as they are assertive (but not aggressive!). A few common threads among Reed students: they are unmotivated by future earning potential, they want to make a difference in the world, and they are very, very bright.

Reed does its best to diversify the student body. I think conservative Christians are probably the smallest minority at Reed. I encountered just about any possible demographic group while I was a student at Reed. Most students are casual with dress, no one seems to care. Yes, I found a high degree of interaction between groups of students. The Reed dining hall is not segregated into cliques, everyone eats together.

Students are pretty homogenous in the sense that the average reedie is white, upper-middle class, liberal and atheist. I know more black kids that are on an exchange program from Ghana than actual African-American kids. There are a lot of really great exchange students especially from England. Reed is not cliquey at all and we all intermingle well with very little social hierarchy.

Reed's student body is young, averaging around 20 years old. They're quirky and critical. As a result, most Reedies are left leaning, and if religious, they practice it with their eyes open, not like robots.