1. Why Reed essay:
Reed is a unique and exciting college experience. Discuss the reasons that you believe Reed would be an appropriate place to continue your education.
My interest in Reed could not have been sparked by anyone other than the founder of Apple himself, Steve Jobs. Learning about his life in Reed, has intrigued me. To learn of his inspirations such as the work of calligraphy and the serif and sans-serif fonts that he implemented into the first Mac (which eventually found their way onto the traditional computers) learned in Reed, or how his decision to drop off from the bigger classes to his dropping in into smaller ones was one of the best decisions he made when he finally connected the dots in his life a decade later. What fascinates me even more is the fact that this person had no clue as to what he was going to do in his life. Something not too different from my current situation. But the fact is, that he was only one person of a big and diverse community as that of Reed. For Reed to have such an influential and intellectual figure can only make me hope I can find more people of the like here. Because when I hear college life, I think of a cross-cultural experience, a gathering of people from all walks of life learning and sharing information. However, the time of Steve Jobs is now over. It is now our time to shine. Our time, to show what we can create and build with our minds. And for this to commence one has to be exposed to an environment and atmosphere where one can really feel at home and work alongside his or her peers to do what they love to do and thrive in it. With the countless events and activities being planned by the many Reedies and taking place throughout the year a person like me can only hope to be in a place like Reed. For example, making things like "The Beest" regardless of Reed having an engineering department, creating one of the many organizations being made for students by students for helping each and everyone out or even conducting research at Reed Canyon. As I have looked for the most challenging colleges the U.S. has to offer, Reed with its rigorous courses, academics and liberal arts education really is the kind of college, I would like to go to. With the kind of mindset I will bring, I believe an education at Reed will help me truly reveal what my true potential holds.
My mood is heavily influenced by the people around me. Often times when the kids from my neighborhood have gone on vacation or I am surrounded by little life around me, you will often see me very dull and disengaging. But If I can expect a community of companions and friends, then you will see me really open up and exhibit my own unique way of dealing in my social life. It is for this reason I like to be disturbed rather than left alone on my own, peaking into my book all day and night. Rather I wish to communicate as much as I can with everyone around me. It is one of my primary goals in life. Hence one of the reasons why I am applying here. Of course when the time comes you will see me spending hours together on my oncoming exam or assignment since I am a natural competitor easily intimidated by others around me. And for a person who has taken countless extra classes, gone from tutor to tutor (of which many were some of the worst "people" I have ever encountered as they didn't do much more than waste my valuable time and took my father's hard earned money), the significance of proper instruction and conveyance of knowledge in the perfect environment with the perfect faculty such as that of Reed could probably have not been understood by anyone better. Other than the university itself Reed appeals to me even more because of its location. The place where I usually study depends on the environment around me. It has to be peaceful and filled with positive energy so I can harness it into my work. It is why I find Portland as an ideal place to continue my education. Its beautiful environment is worth more than anything in the world. Not to mention the fact that it happens to be one of the best places to live in the U.S.
To wrap it all up, with all the things Reed is going to offer me. I believe I have much to offer to this college as well. I have always taken pride in serving my community. But it is not from a sense of civic duty but rather from my culture that encourages hospitality and giving to others what you would give to yourself. Thus, I see this as more of a responsibility than a task. As a student of Islamic beliefs, I have been taught from the very beginning the significance of virtue to others which has inspired me to do more which is why I am also an active member of my community and social activities in my neighborhood. With the liberal arts education I receive I hope to fulfill my aim in life that is to serve the people around me at a much bigger scale. Ultimately I know that my diverse background can add much to Reed. Among the various student, professional, and religious organizations on campus, I know I would thrive in each of them. It is with pride that I have served my community until now and that tradition will continue in campus and all the people I come in contact with as I live like Reed's very own Reedie.
