The papers have been filled with accolades for the new, state-of-the art film school at Chapman University that many believe rivals or surpasses the traditional icon University of Southern California. Applications to the film school have been streaming in with only 22% being offered a position.

What the papers may have missed was what was going on at the rest of Chapman University just four blocks away. There too the number of applications have been growing each year to the point the school no longer offers interviews.  It was reported by admissions that they accepted 44% of the applicants for non-film school programs.

Why the growing popularity? Though most definitely a liberal arts university that encourages students to explore many fields, Chapman prides itself in producing graduates with real-world skills, pre-professional training as they describe it. Obvious examples are business/accounting, clinical psychology experience, nursing, teaching and much more. Improving its graduates chances of landing a good job is popular with parents and students alike.
Chapman learning takes place in small classes with maximum student/professor interaction.  Construction was everywhere on this very compact main campus when I visited this past week. New libraries, dorms, classroom buildings are intermingled with buildings that date back to the founding of Chapman–the date of the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln.  Few schools in the country can boast of  “no parking problem” as does Chapman that just completed construction of a brand new football field and track over a two-story underground parking structure!

Though Orange has a plethora of antique stores that are of little interest to most students the restaurants are reported to be good and it sits minutes from Angel Stadium, the Pond and of course Disneyland…the happiest place on earth. All in all, I would recommend you give this “new” Chapman a look–definitely a small, liberal arts university on the upswing.