
chapman university campus
🎓 1. Types of Campus Visit Experiences
✅ Daily Campus Tours
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Includes: A walking tour with student guides + admission info session
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Time Slots: Typically offered in mornings and afternoons on weekdays and select Saturdays
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Best for: First-time visitors or prospective applicants
🧑🎓 Panther for a Day (Shadow Experience)
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Available to: Admitted or prospective students (mostly high school seniors)
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Includes: Attending a real college class + lunch with a student ambassador
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Tip: Request early—slots are limited! chapman university campus
🏫 Academic Program-Specific Tours
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Dodge College of Film & Media Arts Tour
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Top-ranked, hands-on film school
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See editing bays, sound stages, and screening rooms
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Fowler School of Engineering
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Tour the Keck Center labs and makerspaces
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Musco Center for the Arts
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For students in music, theatre, or dance
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💻 Virtual Info Sessions
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Zoom-based, great for out-of-state or international families
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Typically include a live Q&A. chapman university campus
🧠 2. Questions to Ask on Campus
Ask students, admissions staff, or professors:
🎓 Academics
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What are the average class sizes?
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How accessible are professors outside of class?
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How easy is it to double major or add a minor?
🏠 Campus Life
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What are the most popular clubs or student traditions?
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What’s housing like after the first year? chapman university campus
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Is Greek life active? What about intramurals?
💼 Career Development
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What internship or co-op opportunities are available?
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Are career fairs and alumni networking events held on campus?
chapman university campus
🎥 If You’re Visiting Dodge College:
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How early can students access equipment?
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What’s the acceptance rate into specific programs like Directing or Screenwriting?
📚 3. Top Programs at Chapman
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Film/TV/Media: Dodge College (Top 10 in the U.S.)
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Law: Fowler School of Law. chapman university campus
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STEM: Computer Science, Biochem, Data Analytics (via Schmid College)
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Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Theatre
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Business: Argyros School of Business (with strong internship network)
🛏️ 4. Residence Halls to Explore
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Henley Hall – Freshmen housing (suite-style)
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Sandhu Residence Center – Sophomores, with dining hall nearby
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Davis/Morlan – Apartment-style options. chapman university campus
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The K – Modern upperclassmen housing
Ask to see:
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Communal lounges
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Laundry/kitchen areas
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Distance from academic buildings
✍️ 5. Admissions Tips (During Your Visit)
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Sign in — every visit counts as demonstrated interest
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Introduce yourself to your admissions counselor
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Take photos and write down names (can help personalize your essay later)
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If you’re interviewing, dress semi-professionally and bring thoughtful questions
📆 6. Special Events to Watch For
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Discover Chapman Days – For admitted students in spring
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Preview Days – Open house events with breakout sessions. chapman university campus
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Transfer Visit Days
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Summer Welcome Events – If you’re applying early or want to start exploring
📝 7. Sample One-Day Itinerary
Time | Activity |
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9:00 AM | Check in & Admission Info Session |
10:00 AM | Guided Campus Tour |
11:30 AM | Dodge College Info Session (if applicable) |
12:30 PM | Lunch at the Agora or Old Towne Orange |
2:00 PM | Meet a Professor or Attend a Class |
3:00 PM | Self-guided tour of residence halls or gym |
4:00 PM | Q&A with student ambassador |
📷 8. Photo Spots You’ll Want
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Attallah Piazza (main quad)
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Memorial Hall (iconic Chapman backdrop)
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Keck Center’s glass atrium
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Panther Statue
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Historic Old Towne Orange circle (nearby)
🎯 9. Maximize Your Visit: Insider Tips from Students & Alumni
🧍♂️ Go Beyond the Tour
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Eat in the cafeteria (the Randall Dining Commons) — see what real student life feels like
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Visit Argyros Forum (AF) — it’s the student union hub with lounges, food, clubs
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Peek inside Leatherby Libraries — ask to see the quiet study floors or group study pods
👥 Talk to Students Alone
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Guides may give you the PR version. So while on campus:
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Approach someone at Starbucks or in the forum and ask:
“Hey, I’m visiting—what’s something I wouldn’t learn on the tour?”
“What’s your favorite part of Chapman? What’s one thing you’d change?”
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🌆 10. Explore the Surroundings
🛍️ Old Towne Orange
Literally steps from campus:
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Antiques, cafés, boutiques
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Must-visits: A la Minute (liquid nitrogen ice cream), Orange Circle Antique Mall, Haven Craft Kitchen
🌴 Nearby Attractions
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Disneyland – 15 mins
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Newport Beach – 25 mins
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Irvine Spectrum – 20 mins
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L.A. (Hollywood, UCLA, etc.) – ~45–60 mins
🧾 11. Cost & Financial Aid Info to Ask While Visiting
If you’re concerned about tuition (Chapman is a private university), ask:
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What merit-based scholarships are available? (Many don’t require a separate app)
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Are need-based grants renewable?
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What’s the average financial aid package?
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How many students work on-campus jobs?
💡 Chapman offers Presidential Scholarships and Creative Supplement Awards for film, music, writing, etc.
📚 12. Academic & Research Opportunities
Ask about:
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First-Year Foundations courses
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Student-Faculty Research Programs (especially in science and business)
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Study Abroad – over 90 programs in 40 countries
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Internships in L.A., Orange County, and D.C.
🧑💻 13. Tech & Facilities Tour Ideas
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Digital Media Arts Center – Film post-production rooms
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Tech Shop – For Engineering & Product Design students
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Rinker Health Sciences Campus – If you’re pre-med or pharmacy
📝 14. Sample Questions to Ask in a Departmental Visit
Major | Ask These Questions |
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Business | What companies recruit from Chapman? What’s the average starting salary? |
Film | When do students start working on sets? Are projects collaborative? |
Science | How competitive is it to join research labs? Are they open to undergrads? |
Law (Fowler School) | What’s the bar pass rate? Can undergrads sit in on law classes? |
🛍️ 15. Chapman Gear & Bookstore
The Hilbert Museum of California Art is right next door to the bookstore.
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Grab a Chapman hoodie, bumper sticker, or journal
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Check out rotating student and local artist exhibits at the museum (free entry)
🧾 16. Day Trip Packing List (What to Bring)
✅ Phone & charger
✅ Water bottle
✅ Comfortable shoes
✅ Notepad or notes app
✅ Parking pass (if emailed ahead)
✅ Business cards (if meeting professors or counselors)
🔄 17. What to Do After Your Visit
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Send a thank-you email to any professor, guide, or counselor you spoke with
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Write your impressions while fresh — it’ll help for your “Why Chapman?” essay
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Add “visited Chapman” to your Common App if applicable — demonstrated interest matters
🧾 Want a Checklist or Visit Prep Pack?
I can generate:
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A personalized one-page visit planner
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A PDF “What to Ask” cheat sheet
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“Why Chapman?” essay prep guide
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Sample thank-you email after your visit