Redlands Supplemental Essays 2026–27: Prompts & Tips

Applicants to University of Redlands tackle a single supplemental essay requirement totalling about 500 words. This guide covers the main prompt required of all first-year applicants, though you may encounter additional questions depending on your specific college or program choices (such as the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies). Expect to spend the bulk of your writing time proving your academic and cultural fit for this specific campus.

Everyone on campus – students, staff, faculty – has their “Why Redlands?” and the reason they joined the Bulldog community. What’s your “Why Redlands?"? (500 words)

What this prompt is really asking: This is a standard "why us" essay wrapped in the language of community. By explicitly mentioning that students, staff, and faculty all share a reason for joining the "Bulldog community," Redlands highlights its tight-knit campus culture. The generous 500-word limit gives you room to connect your academic trajectory, your intended campus footprint, and the specific institutional resources that align with your goals.

A strong approach:

• Lead with an academic anchor. Use the high word count to detail a specific major, clinical opportunity, or unique offering like the May Term that fits your trajectory.
• Trace a line to the people. Address the prompt's focus on faculty and students by highlighting a professor whose work aligns with yours or a club you intend to join.
• Weave your background in. Connect the Redlands resources you name directly to a past project, a leadership role, or your future career goals.
• Show your community fit. Instead of just stating you want a small school, describe how you plan to contribute to the collaborative Bulldog culture.

Most common mistakes:

• Relying on the location. Praising Southern California weather or proximity to the mountains wastes space and applies to dozens of nearby colleges.
• Reading like a brochure. Listing statistics or quoting the university mission statement back to the readers makes the essay impersonal.
• Ignoring the community framing. Treating this solely as an academic checklist misses the explicit focus on joining a shared community.

Next Steps

Block out at least two hours of dedicated research time before you draft this essay. A 500-word limit requires specific, grounded details about professors, programs, and campus life, so gather your concrete examples first rather than trying to research as you write.