Chapman University

Chapman University

Orange, CA, USA
Private
4 Year

theCollegeKid's Review

Review of Chapman University

Describe your college in three sentences.

Chapman University is an up-and-coming school, as seen through not only the expansion of campus facilities but the growth in student resources. Chapman will continue to grow for the simple reason that people with not just higher SAT scores but higher ambitions are applying to and choosing to attend Chapman. At this school you will find the perfect balance of a challenging workload and a fun social life.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?

Don't be scared away by the private school tuition. Chapman has SO much money to give away through scholarships, especially if you performed well in high school and on SATs. Also, if possible check out the campus! It's true that different schools have different feels, and you'll want to see for yourself if Chapman can be your new home.

Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?

Our academic performance is constantly compared to schools with big names, and I'm proud to say that our academics are just as impressive as other well-known schools like USC! The top places to study here are at the business school or the film school.

Describe the dorm life at your college.

Every room has its own bathroom! Not to mention the dorms are kept nice and clean by the cleaning staff. The only downside is that we have a few dorm halls that are more outdated than the newer buildings. Where ever you live on campus though, you will enjoy college life and its immense amount of freedom.

Describe the food and dining at your college.

Our dining hall has an Asian station (sushi everyday!), European station, American station, Panini/Salad bar, desert station, you name it. There is only one dining hall, but this is sufficient given the size of the school. There are also places on campus that are included in the meal plan (Jamba Juice, Einstein Bagels, WOW wings, library cafe, another cafe in the business school....). Also, Henley Basement is open from 8pm late into the night for midnight snacks. You will not go hungry.

What’s there to do for fun at your college?

You are in ORANGE COUNTY. There is an infinite amount of things to do for fun. Being a kid in Disneyland, napping at Newport Beach, clubbing in West Hollywood, partying in Los Angeles, partying at school, partying at USC/UCLA, or the best thing to do in college--NAP WHENEVER YOU WANT.

Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?

Yes, it's a private school so it's expensive. But again, Chapman gives away so much in scholarships. Also, as a student you will be well pampered. As you walk through campus you will be surrounded by beautiful architecture, landscape, fountains, and marble. As you sit through lecture, you will notice we have some of the most interesting and intellectual professors. As you wonder about your future, you will have access to almost an unlimited supply of resources concerning internships and job opportunities. How much you get out of your tuition depends on how much involvement you initiate yourself.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Undie Run is a semi-annual tradition that takes place on the Wednesday night of finals week. Basically, you wear your underwear and run around school and the main street of the city of Orange. Sounds ridiculous, but it's actually a LOT of fun. Plus, Chapman students are notoriously very attractive so...

Which types of students will excel at your college?

If you ever visit campus, you will notice that a lot of people are very stylish and attractive. Don't let this stain your impression of the intelligence of Chapman kids. Some kids don't seem to ever study and smoke weed in their bathroom everyday(but still manage a 3.9) and other kids seem to enjoy going crazy only every other weekend and studying until past midnight. Whatever/whoever you are or want to be, you will find your niche at Chapman.

Are you involved in any clubs or activities?

Apply to the Honors Program!! Chapman also has a ton of clubs and activities, so if you were involved in something in high school, chances are you could continue your involvement here at Chapman!

Are you involved in any clubs or activities?

Greek life is a pretty big thing on campus. If you're looking to party it up and become friends with tons of people, I recommend joining! But it's not for everyone. I, for instance, didn't join because although I love to have fun nights out, I cannot stand being social all of the time. God forbid I ever have to small talk more than I did at Freshman Orientation (which is fun by the way, and where you will meet a lot of people).

How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?

Chapman's campus is safe, no doubt about it. We have this mini army of Public Safety officers who make sure you're not drunk in public, or smoking weed by the volleyball courts. If you drive in the wrong direction for a while away from Chapman, you will notice things get a little sketchy. But the city of Orange overall is the chillest place ever.