Chapman University Top Questions

Again, while classes are small, it is likely every professor will know your name. Apart from my acting classes (which are in itself some of the best in the country), my favorite ones are the screenwriting classes in which everyone participates to both give and receive invaluable information for each other. There are many students who are passionate about their majors and many who are not. The level of stimulation from intellectual conversations is varied, though if you want to, you can find yourself gravitating to the students who share the same amount of passion as yourself, and if not, then you know you are the most passionate and a step or two ahead. Professors will always be there to share your passion when other students' just are not enough. I am always grateful of Chapman's general academic requirements, as I feel it has shaped me into a more scholarly individual. Last but not least, for my major especially, I feel Chapman spends a great deal of time teaching the craft the best they can, but also preparing a student for the real world and getting a job -- though they can only go so far. Character comes from within regarding that department, and only so many students will strive to achieve a job after school.

As a requirement in my catalogue year I had to take a lab science (which students no longer have to take...unless they are science majors). My friends and I signed up for chemistry 140 as it was the only class which fit into all of our different schedules (which includes a 4 hour lab, so having friends in the class is a must!). On the first day of class the teacher announced that this was a class intended for chemistry majors and if we were not chemistry majors we should probably drop. I am a double major in theatre performance and communication studies—chemistry is not something I use on a daily basis. I most definitely did not want to continue taking this class; however I couldn’t foresee any other semester I could take a lab science with my friends…so we stuck it out. It was the hardest class I have ever taken and the only way I passed was because of the frequent trips to my professor and lab professor’s office hours, weekend study sessions with my professor, and many hours of work on my own. I believe that if I had been in a class of 200 I would have failed, but because of the personalized education offered here I got a B instead. I really enjoy the fact that in all the classes I’ve taken each teacher has learned my name and at least tried to get to know me in some capacity.

I am most proud to go to Chapman because of our academic programs. Professors absolutely know your name. Some of my favorite classes have been classes I took on a whim, such as religion or politics, because the professors always have an interesting way of helping you learn information that may be completely foreign to you. Depending on the class, class participation can fluctuate. In most classes, I've found that there are always the same 5 or so people who participate in conversation. Rarely do teachers call you out individually. It is common for teachers to give weekly quizzes to monitor your progress in the class. I have found that a class can either be really intense, in which there are weekly quizzes and papers, or it can be an "on your own" kind of class in which it's your responsibility to make sure you keep up with the reading for the final. I am a big fan of professors' office hours. Chapman requires that professors have a specific amount of office hours a week. This really benefits students because they have a chance to get individual attention from professors. Classes are NEVER taught by TAs and the majority of the faculty here has earned terminal degrees. For the most part, Chapman really prepares you for the working world. Though, I would like to have more classes on how to land jobs, interview and write resumes. Though there are not classes on this, there are many resources on campus for students to take advantage of, such as resume critiques, job fairs and speakers from local successful companies. Almost every major requires that students have an internship at some point during their college career which allows students to get experience in their desired field before they graduate. Each student makes their academic life what they want it to be. That is the beauty of Chapman: they allow you to design your own schedule and life. They do not control you much in that regard and allow you to explore many different possibilities. It's a small school, but teachers don't tell you to do your homework -- you either do the extra reading or fail. Classes are challenging and most of the teachers I've had have been interesting and stimulating. In addition to professors, Chapman brings many speakers to school. Maya Angelou, Leon Leyson, Elie Weisel, Colin Powell and Mitch Alborn (Tuesdays with Morrie) have all spoken at Chapman.

Chapman's academic life really benefits the student. Class sizes are small, usually around 25 sometimes more sometimes less. If you go to class every professor will know your name. Many times they will look to help you grow as a person as well. They will help with getting you internships if your interested too. My favorite class was my painting class. Lots of free time and a very flexible class. Other than that I also really enjoyed my Strategic Marketing class. The class was mostly based off of participation and that was great because you actually got involved in the class instead of falling asleep. It also made you think critically instead of memorizing something. I majored in marketing and also minored in art and both departments were good. All the professors want to see you succeed and are always willing to lend you help when you are in need. The requirements for the school are easily achievable. Just going abroad for a semester will take care of a bunch of units you would have to take otherwise. Also now if you decide to minor in something more of your GE credits are no longer required. Chapman really leaves it up to the student to decide how much you want out of your education. If you want to double major you can do that in 4 years. If you want to have a job right out of college or even during college that can work to. It just all depends on how much effort you put forth and whether or not you use the facilities and resources that are at your disposal.

I absolutely love my major, PR and Advertising. I like that I learn about business and express my creative side. Since our classes are so small, there is a lot of class participation. In fact, some of my classes have been fully focused on student comments. My favorite class from last semester was Principles of Advertising with Cory O'Connor. He is hilarious and I learned a lot based on debates we had in class and student experiences and comments. He always made us think about important topics in a fun way. This was an 8:30 am class, which says a lot. Another class that is great is Public Speaking. This teacher is amazing and it is good to just get up in front of an audience and speak. Everyone loves the class. All the professors learn your name and can meet with you outside of class for any questions you have. Some will even have their office hours at local restaurants and you can have breakfast with them! I like Chapman's academic requirements because you can take your major classes right away. You can also take classes outside of your major for GE's and for electives. This is how I decided upon my major. You can get involved right away and have the opportunity to figure out what you really want to do.

Classes at Chapman are more intimate than you'd find at bigger universities. It's not as easy to be anonymous. On the upside you'll have more access to teachers and generally learn more. Chapman students are smart and industrious without being stuffy. There's still room for some fun. Academic requirements are higher than you'll find at some other schools. So you'll have to take more general education classes at higher levels, but you'll get a better all around education.

The professors are excellent at Chapman. Since you're in a class with a dozen or so people it doesn't take long to get the know the professors and have them there to help you at any time possible. You don't run into the problem of having to deal with TAs, you really establish a lasting relationship with professors from day one. The journalism department is rigorous. Of course, the best experience you'll ever get is working for the campus newspaper, The Panther.

Chapman might be known for the film school, but all of their departments are top notch with professors who are active and respected in their fields. Classes at Chapman are generally small and personal - the only real lecture classes are the intro film classes and a couple GEs. You get to know the professors in your major very well, so make a good impression because those are your letter of recommendations right there. In most classes you can't get away with not participating because the classes are 10-20 students. Intro classes are generally piece of cake, but when you really get into your major you will be pushed. Chapman is a liberal arts education, but you don't get bogged down with GEs - just enough to give you a taste of what the different departments have to offer. The journalism department emphasizes hands-on experience; professors are either previous professional journalists or still in the field, so they know what they're talking about too. The department is working closely with the O.C. Register and has several professors from the L.A. Times. If you make use of the connections, you will graduate with clips from local papers as well as the student newspaper. Working with The Panther student newspaper is an intense love-hate relationship. Every Friday night when you're trying to meet a deadline and your friends are out partying, you will be cursing the day you walked into the 210 relationship; but if the newsroom is for you, you will find yourself inexplicably signing up for another semester of torture. The Honors program is offered to students who have proved themselves academically in high school; many entering students turn down this offer when they are admitted. This is a mistake. You graduate with a minor in Honors, which looks good, but even better is along the way you get to take some of the most interesting classes available at Chapman. Most of these classes will also double-count for GEs. The classes are almost entirely discussion based, and most of the honors professors teach by the idea that you've done the hard work in high school, now you get to have fun. In the class In Search of Relationships, for instance, we looked into why people love and examined our own personal relationships and how they have impacted our lives. One of my homework assignments for In Search of Self was to "be with a tree."