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Has anyone here gone to the university of redlands on a negotiable athletic scholarship? I run track and know I won't be able to afford the costs of going there unless they offer me a half scholarship for recruiting me. I've already contacted the coach and he seems to be interested in me but didn't say anything about finanical aid. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks

Also, I heard that they don't offer scholarships, but do you know how generous they are on financial aid for a athlete?

By Clearwater (Clearwater) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:57 pm: Edit

Also, I've heard various responses from people saying the campus is not that diverse. I'd be considered a minority, and was wondering how receptive students are to diversity.

By Arizonamom (Arizonamom) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:17 am: Edit

Redlands is Div 3 ,so no track scholarships but they Do offer schoolarships, actually they are very generous with merit money. There is a CC member whose S is there currently and has great things to say. My D is very interested and almost done with her app.

By Clearwater (Clearwater) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:26 am: Edit

The application for Redlands is due march 31st right? thats what's written on the website and I wanted to make sure.

By 2dsdad (2dsdad) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:48 am: Edit

We took a tour of Redlands, liked it and my D thought about applying but decided she wanted to go someplace colder (I'm serious - five months a year of triple digit highs in AZ fried her brain. It is supposed to frost tonight where she is now so I guess she is happy about that). Her best friend in high school (not an athlete) did go there and, I think, was offered quite a bit of merit money to do so. From what I hear second hand she is having a great time and doing well.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 12:16 pm: Edit

Redlands can be VERY generous with financial aid and merit scholarships if you are a student that they want.

They will negotiate if you are not happy with your initial financial aid offer. They are also very good about working with students to line up outside scholarships when possible. A friend's daughter was pleasantly surprised when she was offered a very nice financial aid package that included a hefty merit award. She also received an outside merit award but after it was awarded the donor decided to cut back on the amount due to some sort of foundation problems --- Redlands financial aid office went to bat for her and convinced the donor to stick to the original amount. I remember that her mother was very impressed that Redlands was willing to help intervene like that.

After her first semester, she became ill and had to take a semester off. Redlands stayed in touch with her all through that semester, pre-enrolled her in classes, made sure she got into housing for the next year, and when it appeared that she was going to have difficulties returning due to her medical expenses, offered her a larger financial aid package before her mother even asked. LAmom (another poster here on CC) has a son who is a freshman at Redlands this year and also was able to negotiate on financial aid and has been pleased with her son's experience so far. Look under the individual schools for Redlands to see a bit of her discussion.

Redlands is a great school - somewhat overlooked in the shadow of the UC's - and well worth considering.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 12:17 pm: Edit

By the way, Redlands is rolling admission - they will accept applications until March but your best bet for financial aid and scholarships is to apply as soon as possible. They will let you know if you are accepted within a few weeks and start working with you on financial aid after that. It helps to have an interview with admissions.

By Lamom (Lamom) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 08:08 pm: Edit

I think Carolyn gave you everything you need to know. I do agree about the interview. Do interview and turn in application ASAP. You should get an answer in just a few weeks. Son was accepted 10 days after he submitted application and I know they didn't have the Physics teacher rec yet (probably was never sent), or the updated SAT score. Lots more students decided to attend than the year before, so I would not be surprised if they admitted fewer or required higher stats. Redlands interviews the student and then brings in the parent. My husband went, I did not. They told my husband they were willing to negotiate. My husband loves to negotiate but when the merit package came in we felt it was fair. Redlands was going to be family and we just didn't feel it was right to ask for more.

I am not sure what you mean by diverse. Son and I are Hispanic with Husband's Swiss last names. Many think he is Native American. Redlands has a multicultural office with lots opportunity to meet lots of people. I know my son was invited to join a peer and mentor group for URM but I don't think he did. Son is a music performance major-we think he would also fit in as a "Johnston" but he says he is not as intense as they are. Son marches to the beat of his own drum and I don't recall him ever feeling different anywhere. He is a musician and somehow always finds people who have music as a common bond. My son is very much at home at Redlands. My husband called me after the interview and told me our son really liked Redlands. The day of audition I realized that he would fit in. He is working very hard, plays/practices 6 hrs a day on the trumpet. He seems to know the Redlands area (it isn't very big but we are from a small town). Academic classes are not overwhelming for him. Music performance takes lots of time and dedication. He is having a great time and is participating in as much as he can. We are very close (45-60 min drive )but he didn't come home till this weekend-needed his skate board and tux. Dad works 10 min away and had made 2 deliveries-emergency trumpet switch and super soaker squirt gun.

So do make an appt for interview-you can interview before you send in application. E mail me if you have more questions about the diversity as they related to son or anything else.
LA