Chapman University

Date: Dec 18 2012
Major: Video/Media (This Major's Salary over time)
I am a current student in the film school, and involved in Greek life as well. Having said this, I absolutely love all the resources available to students at Dodge. I have had ample opportunities to be on sets, have email access to all of my professors, and even a few have generously provided extra time outside of class for me to improve my work.

You are free to do as much work as you want to—if you don't want to do any work at all, there is a chance you may actually get away with that, but you are seriously wasting your tuition money. Chapman gives you the freedom to get what you want out of your education, but they will not hand it to you, you have to go and seek it out.

Within my first two years at Chapman I have been given the chance to complete a for-credit internship, and study abroad despite having a very demanding major in the film school and a minor as well. If you want a well-rounded education, and a school that supports studying abroad, go for it. My financial aid was even included in my abroad fees.

Academics aside, it is possible to have a social life whether you are affiliated in Greek life or not. It is all your initiative. Many people are frustrated with the presence of Greek life, when in actuality even though there are 30% Greeks, 70% of the school is unaffiliated, which still makes Greek life the minority. It is up to the student to find ways to get involved if he/she does not wishes to be part of Greek life.

There are some who may say that "popular" kids at Chapman are affiliated—and I find this statement interesting. Going to college to be "popular" is probably a poor use of your time in a university, and my personal suggestion is not to focus on "popularity" in a high school fashion but find peers you want to make a long-lasting connection with. Those who are worthwhile will not care whether or not you are affiliated.

Do not let the good-looking appearance of the student body intimidate you—the people I have personally talked to are beautiful inside and out. Yes, sometimes they may come across unapproachable, but take the time to make an effort and get to know them, and you'll find that the vast majority of people at Chapman are not "snooty." I myself do not come from as affluent of a background as many of my peers, and I have never been put down or excluded because I could not afford something. Even the Greek life group I am involved in makes many efforts to include as many people as possible.

Chapman is great place—it's all about your attitude though.