<p>Son can't imagine being any other place. Loves Redlands. Anyone considering Redlands this yr?</p>
<p>Can you talk about what he thinks of it? strengths and weaknesses?</p>
<p>Our son has decided to attend Redlands (over UCSB, UCSC and Earlham). He liked the small classes (sat in on one in Asian studies) and liked the feedback he got from students he talked to on the tour. The Johnston Center also seems to offer a unique community learning environment. It was a tough choice for him between Earlham and U of Redlands, but the combination of asian studies and a good business program, as well as SoCal sunshine I think tipped him towards Redlands.</p>
<p>Celebrian25, I will see if he will respond.</p>
<p>Sierradoc-I am sure your son will love his choice. We are very happy to be Redlands parents.</p>
<p>The best aspect of Redlands is it's intimacy. </p>
<p>All classes are professor taught, that means no TAs will ever teach a class. TAs will do study/review sessions and tutoring, they are usually masters students or upperclassmen that know what they are doing. Regardless, I know all of my professors really well. The full-time faculty are around all the time, adjunct faculty always answer e-mail.</p>
<p>Classes are small; very small. Excluding my music ensembles, the largest class I've taken has been 20 people. The average class size seems to be around 12 or so. Such small classes allow students to get to know each other and the professor. I know just about everyone in the music department. One professor in particular, Dr. Dan Murphy, goes way out of his way to help me learn. </p>
<p>If you are planning on majoring in music, a small school may or may not be good for you. Redlands only has one Wind Ensemble, one orchestra, one jazz band. Instumentalist majors have to deal with people that are not as serious about music and do not have the time to practice as much. There are alot of vocal groups on campus, so it's not as much a problem for voice majors.</p>
<p>Also Redlands has been known to be a place for underage drinking. If you choose not to drink, you won't be hated by those that do or anything like that; but you should be aware that drinking will go on around you every weekend. </p>
<p>But despite it's few faults, I feel that the UoR is a very good school. I feel that I'm getting a good education and a good experience. Looking back I feel that I made the right choice in deciding to go to UoR. </p>
<p>Any other questions? Post them, especially ones about the music program here.</p>
<p>I was admitted to SDSU, UCI, and UCSB but all I cared about was Redlands. Luckily I got in and I will be going there in the fall, I'm excited to be a part of the class of 2007 for University of Redlands.</p>
<p>Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure you will be very happy.</p>
<p>Hello</p>
<p>I am looking at Redlands as a possible fit for my S.</p>
<p>All I really know about it is that is has an excellent music program (my son plays bassoon, sax and has had 4 years of music theory), a great creative writing program (my son's strength) and there is a honors program called Johnston. I am still trying to learn more about Johnston....haven't received info from Redlands yet and the website info is pretty sketchy.</p>
<p>If folks have more info about Redlands in general or Johnston in particular, please post. It is hard for son to get excited about a college he's barely heard of. We are from CA so I've heard about Redlands but not too familar with it. Is it well known in So. Cal?</p>
<p>Is Redlands pretty isolated? It looks like it is about 1 1/2 drive from L.A. I haven't been to that area before. We plan on going to Preview Day in November.</p>
<p>FresnoMom</p>
<p>Hi Fresno Mom, I'm currently a sophomore at Redlands, going for a BM in Trumpet Performance. We do have a good music program, particularly the music education program. I believe our bassoon professor is Carolyn Beck and the sax professor is Eddie Smith. Dr. Smith also directs the wind ensemble and teaches conducting and instrumental methods classes, and probably some others too. If you are planning on going for a Bachelor of Music degree, be prepared to work. Redlands has alot to offer, but you will only get out what you put in. Also, if your son has had strong training in Theory as well as Ear Training and Sightsinging, then he may be able to test out of one or both years of the University's Theory and ET/SS courses. </p>
<p>You asked about the Johnston program? The Johnston program allows students to essentially design their own major (called an 'emphasis' in Johnston). It involves meeting with johnston advisors and forming a contract of what classes you wish to take and why you need to take them. Typically, someone is in Johnston because they want to do something that is not offered by the university as a major, i.e. Music Business. I have two good friends in Johnston that are taking a mixture of music, business and theatre classes. One of them is in the process of putting together a full-fledged musical production of Beauty and the Beast as his senior project.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the creative writing program, other than that it seems to be very good. My suitemate is in the creative writing program, and his writing is absolutely brilliant. If you had any questions for me to pass onto him, I'm sure he would love to answer them.</p>
<p>About Redland's location: it is in the middle of everything, and in the middle of nowhere. It is about an hour's drive away to LA, but people will occationally go there. We're not to far from some good skiing. The beach is a little over an hour away, but people will often go for a nice day trip. Most everything in the city of Redlands will be closed by 9 or 10, but there is always lots of activity on campus. Our RA's put on lots of programs, there are more clubs than I care to mention, and weekends always bring lots of parties. I should warn you that alcohol is a problem on campus, and there will be students drinking and getting drunk. However, I do not drink, and do not feel pressured to drink by other students. Bottom line: there are plenty of options for fighting off boredom.</p>
<p>Does you son have a major in mind? How involved in music does he want to be; will he only play recreationally, as a double major in music and something else, as his primary major? Any more questions, I'm always glad to help.</p>
<p>Hi DeadParrot</p>
<p>Wow! Thanks for the quick response and for answering all my questions!</p>
<p>Son is musical, but doesn't plan on majoring in music. Right now, he is looking at majoring in English or Creative Writing. He does hope to perform with the campus band or orchestra.</p>
<p>Johnston sounds interesting but I don't know if S wants to plan his own major. </p>
<p>How did you decide on Redlands? Was it for the music program? Did you submit an audition tape? Son might make a tape (bassoon or sax or maybe both).</p>
<p>Are you finding the coursework manageable? What is the typical class size?</p>
<p>How would you describe the students at Redlands?</p>
<p>Thanks again for giving us an eyewitness account of Redlands!</p>
<p>FresnoMom</p>
<p>I decided on Redlands for number of reasons. Class size was one of them. Classes at Redlands are small; the largest class I've had was Calc I at about 30 people. All my other classes (ensembles excluded) are significantly smaller: about 10 for music theory, 12 for ear training, 4 in jazz improvisation, 14 for calc III. Small classes like this allow for lots of interaction between professors and students. Often times I will just run into one of my professors and have a discussion with him about my music. All in all, it is very easy to get feedback on anything I'm working on; very important for musicians (and for english majors, i would expect). </p>
<p>The wind ensemble was another draw for me. We play alot of interesting and challenging music, though Dr. Smith does have 3 or 4 pieces that he will do every year. </p>
<p>I also enjoy the atmosphere at Redlands (the people, not the smog). Students here are very laid back and easy going. Not lethargic or lazy, just very laid back. Politically, we're very diverse, the main student body leans a little to the right, Johnston is very left. </p>
<p>Coursework is manageable, just be careful with clubs and such. With so much opportunity to be involved in the various clubs and organizations, it's easy to make alot of commitments and then get slammed when midterms come.</p>
<p>If you have questions regarding the english department, I can ask my suitemate (he's a creative writing major).</p>
<p>I am planning on applying here as well. Thanks for your comments, it's very helpful. Do you know anything about the psychology program at Redlands?</p>
<p>A good friend of mine is a psyc major here, I'll ask her about the program, then repost.</p>
<p>HI DeadParrot</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information and for patiently answering all my questions!!</p>
<p>FresnoMom</p>
<p>Thanks DeadParrot :)</p>
<p>Sorry about that, I got really busy all of a sudden with midterms, my friend said she doesn't really like her professors for Psychology right now. Didn't say much, she's only taking one Psych class this semester, something to do with statistics. She's a sophomore now. Other than her major, seems to love Redlands, but I think that strength of your major should be a major consideration in choosing which university to attend, so I would contact the university (admissions) and maybe see if you could email the head of the department, or something like that. New York is an awful long way from Redlands, but if you're in the area at all, you should call admissions and have them arrange for you to sit in on a class.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, I'll definitely look into it more.</p>