Southern California Road Trip

<p>It’s been 6 yrs but when son 1st visited Redlands, the rep told husband that Redlands could negotiate if we were not happy. We felt merit was fair and didn’t question it.</p>

<p>Wow, thanks for the update.
D is applying to the ‘#2 masters college in the west’ and I have been wondering what the #1 was. I would never (never, ever) have guessed it was Chapman. </p>

<p>Guess we will have to open that website again. Chapman initially jumped off the list because D’s major is buried somewhere in the science page. It didn’t show up when you look at the academics/majors and minors page, but was mentioned after you dig around a bit.</p>

<p>Ok, I had to go and look it up. Perhaps the Chapman President was referring to another list, because Chapman is #9 on the US News & World Report list:</p>

<p>[Master’s</a> Universities (West) Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/masters-universities-west-rankings]Master’s”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/masters-universities-west-rankings)</p>

<p>Interesting…and Redlands is #7, with nary a word about rankings the entire time we were on the campus.</p>

<p>Pitzer, which is very highly ranked as an LAC, didn’t mention anything about rankings either.</p>

<p>I have to say, I’m getting to the point where having colleges tout their various rankings is more annoying than informative. Fortunately S2 is my last to guide through the college search, and then I’ll be done!</p>

<p>Gotta admit, I don’t pay any attention to rankings— Now, if ‘Family Fun’ or ‘Mental Floss’ had a ‘Most interesting colleges rankings’. I’d take a look.</p>

<p>Actually, I do check to see how colleges are doing on the lists of those that are going green.</p>

<p>Several years my S and H visited Redlands. When they arrived they found that Redlands had a very informative day planned for them. They had an appointment with a admissions rep, appointment with disabilities director and the opportunity to sit in on 2 classes in the two areas my son had an interest in. They also had lunch tickets and a young woman assigned to give them a tour and lunch with them. They advised my H to fill out the financial aid information even if you don’t think you will qualify. Redlands was the only school my son was offered some institutional need based aid. My son and H were both surprised with how much they liked Redlands. My son decided to attend another school but Redlands was high on the list.</p>