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Reed Admission Requirements

Portland, Oregon

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Your chances of getting into Reed College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

30.8%
Admission Difficulty for Reed College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Reed is 30.8%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Oregon and the 113rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Reed and can you get accepted?

Reed is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,779 out of the 9,023 who applied were admitted.

Reed College typically accepts and attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Reed?

31% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Reed College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 4.0 or better
  • Earn A/A+ grades in high school
  • Score 1410 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Reed GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

4.0

Typical High School Grades 

A/A+

What GPA do you need to get into Reed College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Reed are to have around a 4.0 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Reed will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Reed is 4.0 on the 4.0 scale. 54% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A/A+ letter grades and regularly score around 97-100 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in Oregon for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Reed is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Reed College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 54.0% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 25.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 13.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 5.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Reed SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Reed College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 47% of students submitted SAT scores and 27% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1320-1500

Applicants Submitting SAT 

47%
SAT Scores for Reed College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 690
Math 25th Percentile 630
Composite 25th Percentile 1320
SAT Scores for Reed College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 750
Math 75th Percentile 750
Composite 75th Percentile 1500
Average SAT Score 1410

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Reed College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Reed is 1410 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1320-1500. Students who get into Reed College score in the top 10 percent of all SAT test takers..  Reed ranks #1 in the state of Oregon and #88 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1410 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Reed regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1320 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1320, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1230, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Reed College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1410 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1410, you have around a 31% chance of being admitted. A 1500 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 46% chance of getting in.

Reed College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1500 and Above Good >46%
1410 to 1500 Avg + 31%-46%
1320 to 1410 Avg - 19%-31%
1230 to 1320 Reach 11%-19%
Less than 1230 Low <11%
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Reed ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

30-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

27%
ACT Scores for Reed College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 31
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 30
ACT Scores for Reed College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Reed?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Reed is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 33.  The school ranks #1 in Oregon and #101 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

27 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Reed College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Reed College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Reed for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 31% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 51% with a 33 ACT score.

Reed College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >51%
31 to 33 Avg + 31%-51%
30 to 31 Avg - 23%-31%
29 to 30 Reach 16%-23%
Less than 29 Low <16%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

51% of Reed College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Reed College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 51%
Top 25% of class 80%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Reed College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,010 3,302 9,023
Accepted 1,700 828 2,779
Acceptance Rate 34% 25% 31%
Enrolled 207 131 394
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 16% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Reed College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Reed College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Reed College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Reed College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Reed is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 4.0 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1410 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1500 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Reed College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=209922 IPEDS survey data for Reed College.

Last updated February 24, 2024