¾«¶«AV

As an international applicant, you bring a global perspective and meaningful lived experiences that enrich the ¾«¶«AV community.

Rankings

¾«¶«AV has opted out of the U.S. News & World Report rankings for nearly 30 years. We believe that the one-size-fits-all methodology behind most college ranking systems does not capture the depth of a classroom discussion, the mentorship of a professor, or a campus community. But when rankings do reflect what matter—teaching, learning, discovery—¾«¶«AV stands out:

• #1 Private University in Oregon (Niche 2026)
• #2 Professors Get High Marks (Princeton Review 2026)
• #3 Best Classroom Experience (Princeton Review 2026)
• #4 in the Percentage of Graduates Who Go On to Earn Doctorates across All Disciplines (National Science Foundation and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data)
• #5 Great Financial Aid (Princeton Review 2026)
• #15 Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America (Niche 2026)

Applying to ¾«¶«AV

You are considered an international applicant if you are neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident of the United States.

Permanent residents must submit a photocopy of their Permanent Resident Card (I-551), but should otherwise follow the instructions for domestic students.

To apply for admission to ¾«¶«AV, you will need to complete either the or the .

Required Documents

Visa Process

Once you have been issued and received your I-20 or DS-2019, you are ready to begin applying for your visa. In order for ¾«¶«AV to provide you with the documents you need to obtain a student visa, you must complete an International Student Certification of Finances form and include supporting documentation.

A visa permits entry into the United States and is granted by an official of the US Department of State, located in an embassy or consulate in your home country. Degree-seeking students attending ¾«¶«AV for four years will enter the United States on an F-1 student visa, and exchange students (one semester or one year) will enter on a J-1 student visa. Learn more about the visa process on our international student services website.

The Continental Scholarship Program

¾«¶«AV is proud to expand access to our distinctive liberal arts education through a new initiative for international students. Beginning with the fall 2026 entering class, ¾«¶«AV intends to offer full-tuition scholarships to two students from each continent.

The Continental Scholarship Program builds on ¾«¶«AV’s longstanding commitment to global education and inclusion. Over the past three years alone, ¾«¶«AV has awarded more than 100 full scholarships to students from 49 countries—many covering not only tuition but also room and board.

At ¾«¶«AV, international students are essential members of our community—bringing new perspectives, ideas, and questions to campus. This program reaffirms our belief that a ¾«¶«AV education should be within reach for talented students from around the world.

UWC Davis–¾«¶«AV Match Program

Admitted UWC students automatically receive a $30,000 annual award — a $15,000 Davis Award and a $15,000 ¾«¶«AV Match — for a total of $120,000 over four years.

No separate application is required, and eligibility is not based on merit. All UWC students receive the award regardless of financial aid status. Students who apply for financial aid will also be considered for additional funding. ¾«¶«AV continues to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for all admitted students.

Life After ¾«¶«AV

The breadth, depth, and rigor of ¾«¶«AV’s curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career.

¾«¶«AV is ranked #2 in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the life sciences and #4 across all disciplines. The graduate schools most frequently attended by ¾«¶«AV alumni include Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. In addition, Amazon, Apple, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Nike, and the U.S. Department of State are all top employers of ¾«¶«AV graduates. 

Notable students who have attended ¾«¶«AV include:

• Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple
• Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia
• Emilio Pucci, fashion designer 
• Arlene Blum, chemist and mountaineer

Portland

¾«¶«AV is located in a residential section of Portland, a midsize city of about 600,000 residents. Portland is home to many successful companies such as Nike and Intel, both of which are top employers of ¾«¶«AV graduates. In fact, the west side of the Portland metropolitan area is often referred to as the Silicon Forest (a play on California's Silicon Valley), due to the large number of high-tech companies in the area.

Portland’s downtown is just 10 minutes from campus and home to the world’s largest independent bookstore as well as great vintage stores, movie theatres, and art galleries. In addition to being one of the greenest cities in the United States, Portland is known for its progressive urban planning, innovative music scene, weekend brunches, and delicious coffee.

¾«¶«AV is also just 30 minutes away from the Portland International Airport, which is accessible by public transportation.

To learn more about the local area, visit our Portland and the Northwest page.

Orientation

International Student Orientation (ISO) is an essential part of the international student experience and is carefully designed to create community and help launch you into a successful semester at ¾«¶«AV. International Student Orientation happens before first-year Orientation and is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders. 

The program orients international students to the United States and ¾«¶«AV and also connects each student with an InterConnect peer mentor who will guide students through their first semester. There is no registration fee for International Student Orientation; all activities and meals are free for participants. Learn more about ISO on the international student services website.

Residence Life

From the discovery of new interests to the formation of lifelong friendships, a lot happens in ¾«¶«AV housing. Our on-campus residential community provides a safe and welcoming environment to support students in their academic pursuits, personal growth, and participation in an interdependent community. All first-year and sophomore ¾«¶«AV students live on campus. Learn more about what it’s like to live on campus on our housing & dining page.

Contact Us

If you have additional questions about applying as an international student, contact us at admission-international@reed.edu.