Chapman University

Hallmarks and Quirks

Things I'm Good At:

  • Film. I think I've mentioned this, but film. With the best equipment available, my students are constantly making movies, shooting web series, and making a name for me in Hollywood.
      
  • Internships. A lot of my majors require an internship, but more importantly, internships are invaluable in getting a job after school and the faculty is happy to share their connections. It's common for students to leave with experience from three internships under their belts.
      
  • Greek life. Don't worry, it's not like Animal House. We have over twenty different sororities and fraternities, so no need to stress about not finding your group.
      
  • Location. Did I mention I'm fifteen minutes away from Disneyland? Also, I'm fifteen minutes away from Newport and Huntington Beach.

My Top 5 Must-Haves:

  1. Board shorts, a tank top, and Vans (substitute for Toms, if needed). This is pretty much the Chapman uniform, seeing as the temperature rarely dips below seventy degrees.
      
  2. Starbucks card. You'll be spending a lot of time in the library and the on-campus coffee is not good. Like, it's really bad.
      
  3. Caf card. My cafeteria is out of this world. The "caf" has buffet-style dining with Italian, American, Chinese, Sushi, European, and "traditional" stations that all serve hot food. There's also a salad and sandwich bar open all day, along with fresh fruit.
      
  4. Membership in a club, team, or Greek organization. Our students love to keep busy, and while you'll probably be taking fifteen credits, you need some play to balance your work. Greek life is big on campus.
      
  5. A friend with a car. Not because you need one—I'm small and walkable—but because there's so much to do around me (Staples Center, beaches, Disneyland…etc.). You'll want to go exploring every weekend.

Why You Might Have Heard of Me:

  • Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. I'm telling you, my film school is known for being competitive and it produces students ready to take on Hollywood.
      
  • My females. I seem to attract some of the most beautiful people in the world. It's been said that Victoria's Secret does most of their recruiting on my campus. Ooh la la.
      
  • Undie Run. This is my infamous bi-annual run that takes place during finals. As you probably can guess, students run around the Orange Plaza in their undies.

On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...

  • My campus. Although I'm small, I'm constantly buzzing with energy and student activity. Whether there's a football game going on, a film screening, or theater production, there's always something happening on campus.
      
  • Those who venture off campus are most likely to be at a house party, probably polishing their beer pong skills and dance moves. However, with Disneyland and Newport Beach so close, there's never a shortage of non-party things to do.
      
  • For sports lovers, I'm in a dream location. Angels stadium and the Honda Center are both fifteen minutes away, and Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, and Kings are all a forty-five minute drive north.

Favorite Hangouts:

  • The dorm pool. Yet another reason my students sometimes feel like they live at a resort. The dorm pool is one of the most popular and bumpin' places on campus. Add the dorm basketball courts and sand volleyball into the mix and you've got yourself a party.
      
  • The Caf. As mentioned before, the cafeteria is Chapman's watering hole where freshmen and seniors alike gather to socialize, eat, and enjoy the beautiful people they go to school with.
      
  • World of Wings. This one is not so easily explained because they will almost certainly mess up your order…but all the same, it's a fun place to watch sports and hang out.

Quirks:

  • Interterm. One of the most lovely parts about me is my January term where students can take up to four credits (one class is generally three credits). Classes are held Monday through Thursday and are three hours long. While this might seem like a lot, realize you're getting an entire class done in one month. Also, with plenty of time off, students spend interterm relaxing, tanning (yes, during winter), and enjoying sunny Southern California.
      
  • Jerry Price, my Dean of Students, sends weekly emails that are a regular and funny reminder of how tight the Chapman community is. Whether it's congratulating the football team for winning a game, advertising for a new major, or just listing campus events, Price loves being involved with the student body and helping out whenever possible.
      
  • Campus fountains. There are tons of these, and students love to jump in them when it gets too hot. Just watch out for Public Safety Officers…

Famous Alumni:

  • Loretta Sanchez, U.S. Representative for California's 46th congressional district
      
  • Kellan Lutz, actor known for his role in Twilight
      
  • George Argyros, former United States Ambassador to Spain and owner of the Seattle Mariners from 1981–1989
      
  • Randy Jones, former MLB baseball player
      
  • Justin Simien, Hollywood director and writer