University of Redlands
Redlands, California
A private liberal arts and sciences institution in the heart of Southern California, University of Redlands is committed to educating the hearts and minds of its students through an emphasis on personalized education, service, and experiential learning. In addition to more than 50 programs of study in the arts and sciences, University of Redlands also offers impressive pre-professional opportunities in pre-health, pre-law, and education as well as more than 100 study abroad opportunities. Home to the second-oldest School of Music in California and the alternative Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, the 112-year-old university prepares students for success and lifelong learning.
University of Redlands’ main residential campus sits on 160 green acres centrally located near the beaches, mountains, and desert. Part of a diverse and active student body from California and around the world, Redlands students are engaged in the world around them, thriving as participants in community service, DIII varsity athletics, and a wide array of student organizations.
Get to know University of Redlands
Benefits
Student Activities
- Choral groups
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Literary magazine
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Opera
- Radio station
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Student-run film society
- Symphony orchestra
- Yearbook
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Common Intellectual Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Global Learning
- Service-Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practica
- Capstone Courses and Senior Projects
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Disability Services
- Multicultural Engagement Center
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Financial Aid Advisors
- Student Success Initiative
- Veteran Services
- Peer Mentors
- Counseling
- Gender & Sexuality Center
College Highlights
University of Redlands places high importance on experiential learning both inside and outside the classroom. Popular experiences include study abroad, May Term, community service, and summer science research.
STUDY ABROAD
Redlands strongly encourages its students to study abroad. More than 50 percent of undergraduates take advantage of a study abroad program, a rate of participation much higher than peer institutions. In fact, Redlands is ranked 16th nationally in its class of institutions by the Institute for International Education for its high study abroad participation rate. Cross-cultural learning has been an integral component of Redlands’ liberal arts education for decades, and since 1960, the University has made international learning all the more accessible through its own program in Salzburg, Austria. There, students get to live in the Marketenderschössl, a nearly 500-year-old Renaissance building overlooking the historic city of Salzburg.
MAY TERM
May Term is an optional, one-month semester in which students take one immersive, hands-on class. Students can choose to stay on campus and take a unique academic course, get involved in a community service project, or embark on a travel course with a faculty member and small group of fellow students. Recent May Term courses include Service-Learning in Cambodia; Policy Making in Washington, D.C.; and Baseball, Business, and American Life.
SERVICE
Every year, University of Redlands students extend their learning beyond the classroom by completing more than 120,000 hours of community service. From mentoring local youth to building houses for homeless families in Mexico and raising disaster relief funds, students immerse themselves in endless opportunities to make the world a better place. These experiences broaden students’ awareness, empower their contribution, and strengthen their connection to the larger community.
“Working with the community service environment has been really impactful on my Redlands experience because it has given me something to drive me outside of academics. I was able to become more aware of my goals outside of my majors. If I had to choose three words to describe my community service experience, they would be engaging, challenging, and rewarding.” – Anjali Bajaj ‘18
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
The annual Summer Science Research program gives Redlands students the opportunity to focus on a research project alongside a faculty mentor. They spend 10 weeks of their summer on campus researching such topics as “Distribution and Behavioral Analysis of Marine Mammals in Southern California” and “New Ruthenium complexes for Anticancer Activity: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Reactivity with CT-DNA.”
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 2%
Hispanic/Latinx: 41%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 4%
White, non-Hispanic: 38%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 6%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 7%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%
“I teach at Redlands because I can work with students as individuals, not as a nameless face out of 300 or more in a cavernous lecture hall. I get to know each student as a whole person, which makes me more effective at assisting them along their path to a successful future.” – Dr. Scott Randolph, Department of Business Administration and Management
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR
Every first-year student at University of Redlands enrolls in a first-year seminar designed to be an academic bridge between high school and college. In addition to being their initial academic advisors, first-year seminar professors help students grow their critical thinking, reading, writing, and communication skills. Recent seminar offerings include “Global Issues for American Business;” “The Science of the Sea;” and “Harry Potter and the Widely Applicable Skillset.”
LIBERAL ARTS INQUIRY
Liberal Arts Inquiry requirements (LAIs) ensure all students obtain a breadth and depth of knowledge during their time at University of Redlands. LAI categories range from Community Engagement and Reflection to Inquiries into Self and Society. Students can fulfill each requirement with a variety of courses, allowing them to pursue coursework that’s always of interest.
“My professors at Redlands made a profound impact on me, and I wouldn’t be the critical thinker I am today without their instruction.” – Noelle Medina ‘15
FACULTY MENTORSHIP
Students are mentored by caring University of Redlands faculty members, such as Scott Randolph, assistant professor of business administration. “Redlands students understand that as an institution we truly value teaching, and even when classes are difficult—and mine are—they want and respect that and reward it,” says Randolph. “That’s the true honor, that our students made this decision. What more could a professor want?”
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Double major
Exchange student program (domestic)
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
University of Redlands is a campus full of community, school spirit, and tradition. It is a vibrant school where the majority of students live on campus. With more than 120 clubs and organizations, it’s easy for students to get involved. Clubs and organizations include local Greek life and varsity Division III athletics as well as groups focused on diversity, social justice, fine arts, service, and sustainability, among others. On a regular day, students might find themselves cheering on the football team to a championship title, going on an Outdoor Programs trip to Joshua Tree National Park, listening to such guest speakers as activist Gloria Steinem, or heading to downtown Redlands for weekly Market Night.
“My favorite part about being a student at Redlands is Outdoor Programs. It has allowed me to pursue my own interests in exploring the outdoors and allowed me to strengthen my leadership skills. Redlands allows me to be myself because of the community that is developed on campus.” – Ben Swank ‘18
CAMPUS TRADITIONS
Redlands students and alumni find themselves chanting the Och Tamale as a greeting or congratulatory cheer. It starts, “Och Tamale Gazolly Gazzump, Deyump Deyatty Yahoo…” The nonsensical chant was written in the 1910s as a rebuttal to a rival school’s Latin chant and has been a tradition ever since. Students learn it on their first day of orientation, and it’s not easily forgotten!
Members of the University have been known as the Redlands Bulldogs for more than 100 years. This nickname began not with a dog, but with a football game. In 1917, after Redlands embarrassed a rival school to the tune of 20-0, the opposing coach was quoted as saying, “The U of R football team might well be called the bulldogs of the conference for the fight they put into the game.”
The first official live bulldog mascot, Deacon, joined the community in 1946. There have been five other official mascots since then, the most recent of whom is Adelaide (“Addie” for short), the university’s much-loved first female bulldog mascot.
SCHOOL LOCATION
University of Redlands is located in the heart of Southern California, just between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. At the base of the snow-capped Mount San Gorgonio, the University provides easy access to the beaches of Orange County, winter adventures in Big Bear, and places to go rock climbing within Joshua Tree National Park. The award-winning, 160-acre residential campus features orange groves, architectural landmarks, a palm tree-lined main street, and Outdoor Programs trips nearly every weekend. The historical yet innovative city of Redlands has a population of 70,000 people and is the home of Esri, the world’s most powerful mapping and analytics software company. Redlands maintains its small-town charm with many coffee shops, eateries, and a weekly farmer’s market.
ATHLETICS
Home of the Bulldogs, University of Redlands athletes compete in the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
Sports include: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, water polo, men’s baseball, men’s football, women’s lacrosse, women’s softball, and women’s volleyball.
Maroon and grey fill the stands of the Ted Runner Stadium and Thompson Aquatic Center, and chants of “Och Tamale” fill the air.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for international students
Fraternity/sorority housing
Theme housing
Wellness housing
CAMPUS SERVICES
University of Redlands students thrive post-graduation, having enjoyed on-campus support as a significant contributing factor. To develop the skills to succeed in the real world, students can take advantage of services from Community Service Learning and Professional Development as well as support from faculty and other mentors.
SENIOR CAPSTONE
Prior to graduation, all students complete a capstone project that acts as the culmination of their academic accomplishments. Capstone courses vary, but all offer students a way to synthesize knowledge of their field of study, whether that be in the form of a 30-page paper or a research project. Students find their senior capstone useful when applying to graduate schools or seeking employment.
POSTGRADUATE EMPLOYMENT
In a recent poll, more than 90 percent of Redlands graduates were satisfied with their overall undergraduate experience, and more than 90 percent were employed or pursuing an advanced degree one year after graduation. Employers include Apple, Google, Esri, Deloitte, Tesla, Disney, Microsoft, NPR, and many others.
“Redlands allowed me to truly pursue what I love to do—to learn and to explore. I received an incredible education and traveled throughout the U.S. and the world to seven different countries. I attribute all of this to the University, to which I will always owe my gratitude.” – Casey McGrath ‘14
Admission
ADMISSION FACTORS
Very Important
Academic GPA
Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Standardized test scores
Application Essay | Recommendation(s)
Considered
Class rank | Interview | Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities | First generation
Alumni/ae relation | Geographical residence | Racial/ethnic status
Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
TEST SCORES
Required
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 530 | 75th Percentile: 630
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 620
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 28
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 27
ACT English
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 30
ADMISSIONS DEADLINES
The University of Redlands is a member of the Common Application and offers students the opportunity to apply under Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision plans.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $52,150
Fees: $350
Room: $11,152
Board: $4,188
Aid
All applicants are considered for merit scholarships, which are based on the review of the application. They range in value up to $30,000. Talent scholarships are also offered for Theatre, Creative Writing, Music, and Art through an additional application. Families interested in applying for need-based financial aid will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What Others are Saying
Contact University of Redlands
Contact Admissions
redlands.edu/admissions-and-aid/first-year/
909-748-8074
admissions@redlands.edu
Campus Location
1200 E Colton Ave
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 748-8074