Chapman University

Date: May 03 2004
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Some of the comments I've heard about Chapman are simply untrue or unreasonable so I will tell you about this school. Coming from USC, I was transferring to go a small liberal arts school and I got that. I've had no classes of 200 like at USC. And there is zero comparison as far as neighborhood. Orange is a small, safe, and nice city in Orange County. The school is in the Old Towne part with lots of little restaurants and shops. It is a much nicer feel. I admit freely that everyone is different. If you want a big school with a great football team and lots of party this and that, then USC would certainly be better than Chapman. But this school is better if you want to be an individual. The work here is not the hardest or easiest, but it is sufficiently challenging. Most of the teachers are really good and not absorbed in research. The campus is pleasant and friendly. Are there annoying rich snob types? Absolutely, but no more than at USC or any other school. Those same kinds of people go to the state schools too. There are different kinds of people at every school. As for money, the school is expensive but I got a full financial aid package. I am not a "night life" person so couldn't comment on that but there is a lot of Greek on campus and the surrounding community of north Orange County is full of everything from club to mall to beach to theme parks. Chapman is an up and coming school getting better and better and they have many strengths including film and law. But English has been just great for me and I never regret leaving a "prestigious" school like USC to come to a friendly school that cultivates creativity.