Chapman University, what's the gist?

Recently, I've had my eyes on Chapman University and I was thinking of applying there. What's the general student experience like? The pros and cons that anyone who's been there could share would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

Sure, happy to give you a general overview of Chapman University! Chapman, located in Orange, California, is quite well-known for its programs in Business, Film, and the Arts, with a personal, smaller-campus experience compared to some larger public schools. The university has a fairly rigorous academic environment, and students are generally impressed with the quality of instruction.

One of the big pros of attending Chapman is the small class size. Most classes consist of fewer than 30 students, which provides opportunities for active engagement and supportive relationships with professors. Additionally, Chapman's location in Southern California means sunny weather, access to beaches, and opportunities for internships and jobs in multiple industries, including entertainment and business.

As far as the campus life goes, Chapman is known for a lively social scene with plenty of events and activities to get involved in. Greek life is quite prominent, with about a third of undergraduates being members of a fraternity or sorority, so if you're interested in that, Chapman may be a good fit for you.

On the con side, while the campus is beautiful and well-maintained, some students have indicated that housing can be a bit of a challenge, especially for upperclassmen. While first and second year students are required to live on campus, many juniors and seniors live off-campus due to limited availability of on-campus housing. Also, while diversity has been improving at Chapman, the student body has not historically been as diverse as at some other universities, though efforts are being made to improve this.

Overall, like any university, Chapman has its strengths and its weaknesses. It might be a good fit for you if you prefer a smaller school with engaging academics, a strong community atmosphere, and are okay with some of the housing challenges. As always, I'd recommend visiting the campus if you can to get a feel for it yourself!