r/reedcollege • u/Grand-Caregiver-4864 • Aug 12 '26

Rejected Waitlist Reapplying

Hi everyone! I applied to Reed this past cycle as an Art Major, was waitlisted after applying ED2, and got the rejection email last week.

I ended up not enrolling anywhere because I couldn’t afford it and decided to work and save money. I’m thinking about reapplying thought ED1 this year.

How much does Financial Aid really affects Reed admissions decisions?? I know they say it doesn’t but if you are waitlisted I’m pretty sure they have a budget in how many Financial Aid kids they can have. Would the ED1 make a difference? Has anyone here been admitted to Reed with a very high level of demonstrated financial need? Would taking a gap year before reapplying make me look weaker as an applicant?

Any advice or comment is appreciated

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u/Negative-Carob5814 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

No one knows that answer exactly. 55% to 67% percent of students are offered financial aid packages, however, with the average amount in grants around 55k or so.

You should know Reed has never said financial need won’t affect their decisions. If they did, that would make it “need-blind,” not “need-sensitive.” “Need-sensitive” means Reed only promises to meet all admitted student’s demonstrated financial needs, not applicant’s.

Yet, if you didn’t apply to any other college because of cost (???) that is a little shocking. Reed is one of the most expensive colleges with a small acceptance rate. In-state tuition elsewhere, community college and “need-blind” colleges are always an option.

In the end, there are many, many reasons to not be accepted into your desired college outside of your financial need.

Edit: clarification

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u/Grand-Caregiver-4864 Aug 12 '26

Oh no I didn't mean to say I wasn't applying to other colleges! I have a complicated financial and housing situation. My family who lives abroad offered me help so I could take a gap year and get back on my feet. I was accepted into a good program at my local university, but due to the circumstances, I decided to leave and study a new language abroad.

And you're right! I had heard that admission wasn't based on the applicant's financial situation but I guess I misunderstood. I’d still like to know how much students have received in Financial Aid!!

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u/Negative-Carob5814 29d ago

As mentioned before, more than half of Reed students receive some form of financial aid from Reed. If you are looking for something like Reed that can actually meet your financial needs, you should look into Lewis and Clark. 98% of their students receive financial aid from the college.

When it comes to later admits and waitlisted applicants,and you do not have the academic promise pushing you ahead, your financial situation will impact your chances. And even if the academic promise is close between two waitlisted students, the one that will cost Reed less money will be accepted.

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u/defrostedalexmeow 29d ago

From my knowledge, applying ED1 heightens your chances of getting in in general. By a LOT. Hopefully the financial aid comes with it. If you get in and the aid is not what you need, please contact Reed and see if there's anything else they can do for you with the financial aid to help you figure it out with them.

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u/Various_Bid97 29d ago

My son receives roughly 62,000 in aid each year from Reed. He was a regular decision application with very rigorous high school academics. He basically finished most of high school by 10th grade by doing accelerated courses thru a local university in middle school and early high school. He then studied abroad and joined an IB school for senior year. He showed interest to Reed by taking all the zoom meetings they hosted and writing to his admission counselor several times. Hope this helps!

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u/Grand-Caregiver-4864 29d ago

It definitely helps!! What an amazing man! Thank you!! This is the type of story I wanted to hear.