Extracurriculars
Highlight those things you care about, your leadership positions, recognition, awards, accomplishments or the role you have played in your community.
How to apply as a first-year student
Find out what it takes to become a first-year student at University of Redlands.
Start your application
Are you a high school senior? Have you graduated from high school, but not enrolled at an institution of higher education? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you are a first-year student ready to apply to Redlands. Here's what you need to know to begin your application.
Apply to Redlands
We will begin accepting applications for spring 2026 and fall 2026 through the Common App starting August 1, 2025.
Application timeline
Term |
Deadlines |
|
Fall |
Early Action 1: November 1 Early Action 2: December 1 Regular Decision: January 15* |
|
Spring |
November 1* |
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline based on capacity.
Application checklist
- The Common Application, including the personal essay and University of Redlands member questions
- Official transcripts from all secondary schools attended
- One letter of recommendation from school/college counselor and/or the Common Application Secondary School Report
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher who can speak to your academic ability
- SAT or ACT Scores are optional for students. Learn more about our test optional policy.
Application portal & status
Once you apply to Redlands, you will be sent an online Admissions portal login. This portal is where you will check your application status, check the status of admissions materials and learn what is still needed, view your assigned admissions counselor, and the place you will submit your enrollment deposit.
To check the status of your application, you'll need your login information, which was sent to you via the email you used on your application. If you do not have this information, please email admissions@redlands.edu with your name and date of birth and we will resend.
Please note it may take up to 14 business days to process your supporting documents. ACT and SAT scores sent directly to us from the testing service may take longer to arrive. Please contact the Admissions Office before requesting scores to be resent.
What makes for a good application?
Your college application is a reflection of you. We want to learn more about you and your experiences in and out of the classroom.
Academic record
Your transcript reflects your academic pattern of courses and grades and helps us to see your successes and challenges.
Letters(s) of Recommendation
Give us a another perspective of you as a student.
Essay
Write about who you are and the experiences that have shaped you. Don't forget to answer the question.
Test optional
Test scores can be listed in the Common App through self-reporting. Redlands is a test-optional institution and the choice will be yours to make as to whether you submit your test scores or not.
Johnston applicants
Students interested in the Johnston Center must submit applications to the University of Redlands and the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. Students may indicate their interest in the Academics section of the University of Redlands Common Application. A supplemental Johnston Application will be required once you submit your application to the University. A link will be available in your application status portal.
Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@redlands.edu for more information on the Johnston application. Students will be notified of this decision via their application status portal.
The Johnston Center strongly encourages visiting campus to experience the program’s connected living-learning community. Opportunities include overnight stays, classroom visits, and meetings with the Johnston Center Director Kelly Hankin. Please contact Anthony Castellon, Resident Director, Johnston Center for Integrative Studies to arrange one of the above opportunities.
Education Studies applicants
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who know your work.
- Personal Statement: Please write a 500 - word statement that articulates why an equity-centered pedagogy will be important for you as a future teacher. In your response, please refer to at least three of the bold-faced words/phrases in the Department of Teaching and Learning's conceptual framework.
- GPA 2.75
- Certificate of Clearance
- Evidence of a negative TB test result within the last 2 years.
- Experience working with students preferred, but not required.
- Completion of 60 credit units at an accredited institution which are comprised of the following profile of courses:
- English: at least 1 course
Math: at least 1 course
Science: at least 1 course
Social Sciences: at least 1 course
The Arts: at least 1 course - Meet Basic Skills Requirement
School of Performing Arts applicants
A supplemental School of Performing Arts (SOPA) application and audition are required for those who want to major or minor in Music and/or Theatre. For additional information regarding the Conservatory of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance, please contact Brad Andrews, Director of Admissions for the School of Performing Arts, at (909) 748-8014.
To be admitted to the Conservatory of Music and/or the Department of Theatre and Dance, you must also be admitted to the University of Redlands.
In addition to filing The Common Application, a supplemental application and audition are required. The School of Performing Arts (SOPA) application includes options for music and theatre.
You can submit the SOPA application via your application status portal after you have applied to University of Redlands.
Spring 2026 deadlines:
- November 1 - application deadline
- December 1 - audition deadline
Fall 2026 application and audition dates and deadlines:
- February 7 - Music auditions at University of Redlands
- February 14 - Music and theatre auditions at University of Redlands
- February 15 - Video audition submission deadline
- February 21 - Virtual Interviews
Anyone wishing to participate in a music ensemble while pursuing a major other than music is invited to apply and audition for a talent scholarship. Applicants interested in this opportunity should choose the Ensemble Only option on the music application.
Video auditions can be one or multiple video files and should include:
- Please include the title of your piece/character and the name of the composer/play. These can be announced verbally or displayed as a title in the video.
- Video auditions can be uploaded on your application status page after you submit the SOPA application.
Helpful resources:
Undergraduate music programs include:
- Bachelor of Music in Composition
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Certified Single Subject Teaching Credential Program
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music
- Minor in Music
Undergraduate theatre and dance programs include:
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theatre
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theatre Business
- Minor in Theatre
- Minor in Musical Theatre
- Minor in Dance (no application or audition required)
Application resources
Request more information
Need help in the application process? Reach out to our admissions counselor team.
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