<p>I am admitted to both UCSC and University of Redlands. I have yet to hear what my financial package from UCSC is but from Redlands, I would only have to pay $11,000 a year due to scholarships and grants. USCS was my first choice until I formed doubts about the weather, atmosphere, community ect. I am from L.A. That said:
I know these schools are vastly different. I am worried at how small Redlands is, and how boring/claustraphobic the town may be for 4 years. Is it a place creative, open minded people can grow? Why does the Inland Empier have such a negative rep, I don't really know what it means. I have a 3.8, take A.P.s and honors, but generally need a lot of one on one help which I know Redlands' small classes would benefit me. Which school has better professors?
Overall however, where will I get the most help and better education? It's hard to decide on which school is best, academically and overall because UCSC has a big name and reputation whereas Redlands is somewhat underrated. I would like to be more informed so I can make my decision unbiasedly. Thank you!</p>
<p>UCSC and Redlands really are so different! You should plan on attending admitted students day to get a real feel of both colleges. I would lean towards Redlands if you need a lot of one and one help. </p>
<p>I agree. You will also be in much larger classes at Santa Cruz, and may have trouble getting into some of the classes you need, which means you may very well need more than four years to graduate. Redlands actually sounds like it will fit what you need pretty well. Be sure to go to admitted students days at both.</p>
<p>Wow that is a great offer from Redlands. I have a relative’s kid there as a freshman and is enjoying it and is able to afford to plan for some of the many abroad experiences. Is planning a semester at Univ of Edinburgh and they have those May abroad month’s. DC semesters I think they have a campus there, or not sure if it is just a program… An administrator from his private school went there and spoke highly of it. Johnson Center program is supposed to be very special if you are interested in that. I also have another relative’s kid who had this decision and got a 10k merit from Redlands to make the cost about the same as SC, but she went to SC, double majored and went to law school. Your cost will make Redlands cheaper. Although I think the atmosphere and location of SC is more interesting and nicer, Redlands the town itself is pretty nice. I wouldn’t worry that it is Inland Empire or not, you will be more focused on your campus community. Inland Empire is generally kind of boring and poor in general, maybe that’s why people don’t like it. But I don’t think you should care too much. It sounds like you have identified some reasons why Redlands is a good fit for you. I’d worry about success more than prestige.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bank on easily being able to get all of your classes at Redlands. If you do tour both, and I strongly suggest you do, ask about how class registration is. Then see if you can find a non admissions affiliated student and ask. </p>
<p>A LAC has a much stronger sense of community than a place like Santa Cruz (although IMO SC does have a sense of purpose which is somewhat absent from many other medium sized state schools). This sense of community is often the best thing about a LAC although it may feel suffocating after a couple of years. </p>
<p>The best yet worst haha. Thank you all. I have submitted my spot for Redands and I am very drawn to the Johnston Center Program. Any information on that and how different/isolated that is?</p>