Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Chapman admits about 7 in 10 applicants (65%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 70% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (64% and 66%).
$70 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
16% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 1,900 offered a place, 1,144 accepted, 523 admitted (46% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 51% admitted
145 of 282 early applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 20
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 20
Where you stand
How Chapman reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 14% of first-years sent an SAT and 5% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 19% whose high school reported a rank, 39% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of science and foreign language (2 of each required). See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
61% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 65% of first-year applicants
1,474 applied · 896 admitted · 293 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date February 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date October 15, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended for some
- Standardized test scores
- Recommended for some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 15 for fall 2025.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $500 housing deposit, due December 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 1 / 2) | 2 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 4 |
| Social studies | 2 | 2 |
| History | 2 | 2 |
| Academic electives | – | 2 |
| Total | 15 | 22 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Stopped considering legacy status in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2024 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
39% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 71% in the top quarter, of the 19% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Chapman University Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1350 on the SAT, 180 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
32% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
54% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
42% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
33% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
54% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 14% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 5% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Chapman University Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2024;Chapman University Common Data Set 2024–25, 2024–25;Chapman University Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2025 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)