What is Chapman University Known For?

What’s Covered:

• Overview of Chapman University Admissions
• Unique Aspects of Chapman University
• What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at Chapman University?

If you’re dreaming of attending a smaller school away from the hustle-and-bustle of a big city, but also want to live less than an hour from a major metropolitan area, Chapman University may be a great fit for you. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Chapman, such as admissions, academics, extracurriculars, traditions, and dorms, as well as how to calculate your chance of acceptance.

Overview of Chapman University Admissions

Location: Orange, CA

Undergrad Enrollment: 7,200

Acceptance Rate: 56%

Middle 50% SAT: 1381

Middle 50% ACT: 30

Chapman University admissions officers look mainly at a student’s course rigor, academic performance and trends throughout their high school career, personal statement, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities. It is important to note that standardized testing is optional, however, the university admissions office suggests that you submit your scores if you believe they will positively impact your application. You still are not required to submit a test score even if you want to be considered for a merit scholarship.

To apply to Chapman University, you will need to fill out:

• The Common Application
• The Chapman University specific questions
• An official transcript
• The Common App School Report Form
• Submit the “Creative Supplement” or other departmental requirements – this is only required for students applying to the College of Performing Arts, The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, and the Department of Art (excluding Art History majors)

Unique Aspects of Chapman University

Academics 

Chapman University has over 100 majors and minors in its 10 diverse colleges. The most popular majors at Chapman include:

• Business Administration
• Film Studies
• Psychology
• Communications

Chapman also has a notable film program through Dodge College. With a 7% acceptance rate, the college is ranked #6 among all film production schools in the country. Students in the Dodge program typically intern at firms such as NBC, CBS, Warner Brothers, and Lionsgate. 

Additionally, many Chapman students study abroad. Nearly 47% of undergraduates go abroad each year, compared to the national average of 10%.

Extracurriculars

Chapman University has over 150 student organizations that encompass a wide variety of interests. Chapman also has 8 sororities and 10 fraternities on campus. The school offers Division III athletics, with 21 varsity teams and 8 intramural teams. 

Traditions

While this is not a “tradition” per se, students at Chapman say that their campus feels like a resort. Due to sunny California weather, students are often outside near the campus’s outdoor pools. Additionally, Chapman is located in the vibrant town of Orange which is filled with restaurants and shopping.

During orientation, students participate in the annual Alumni Candle Lighting Ceremony. On the last day of new student orientation, alumni welcome new freshmen through a special ceremony which includes lighting candles and giving advice for the new students. 

In the winter, students participate in Winterfest which marks the beginning of holiday season. Students gather for a tree-lighting event, live music, and holiday treats. This occurs right before finals, and is a great way for students to take a break before studying.

Dorms

Chapman has many housing options for students. However, first-year students are not required to live on campus. New students who want to live on campus are assigned to one of the many living-learning communities. Students are not allowed to choose their roommates, but the living-learning community residence style means that freshmen will live with individuals within their same major. The first-year communities are Henley Hall, Pralle-Sodaro Hall, Glass Hall, Morlan Hall, and Sandhu Residence Center. 

Housing is guaranteed on campus for 2 years and 47% of undergraduate students live on campus. Many upperclassmen live in the 6 remaining residence halls on campus.

Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must fill out the FAFSA. Incoming students are also eligible for merit and institutional scholarships. Many students who receive these awards apply Early Action or Early Decision, so those interested in this option are encouraged to apply early. 

Resources

Brandman University is a university that was established by Chapman in 1958. There are 25 Brandman campuses in California and Washington as well as an online campus. Brandman has over 80 degree programs in-person and online. 

Location

Chapman University is less than an hour from downtown LA, and only 15 minutes from Newport Beach. Many students receive internships and job offers in the surrounding area. 

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at Chapman University?

Do you think Chapman University may be a good fit for you? Your personal chances of acceptance at Chapman may be higher or lower than average depending on your GPA, academic history, extracurricular activities, test scores, and more. If you have an excellent GPA and strong extracurricular activities, your chances of acceptance may be higher than average. 

To understand your personal chances of acceptance at Chapman, check out CollegeVine’s admissions calculator! Using your academic record, test scores, extracurricular activities, and more, this tool will estimate your chances of acceptance and provide tips on how you can improve your profile. You can also use this tool to look at other schools besides Chapman, and find out where you may be a perfect fit based on your desired location, majors, size, etc. Best of all, this tool is completely free!