»How to Apply to Chapman University

The application process differs for first-year and transfer applicants. Additionally, certain programs and departments require a Creative Supplement along with your application. Use the links below for step-by-step instructions and deadlines on applying to the university.

Chapman is test optional for most applicants. You can learn more about applying test optional here.

First-Year Applicants

Instructions if you are enrolled in high school, or finished high school but never completed college units post graduation.

Transfer Applicants

Instructions if you are looking to transfer to Chapman from a two- or four-year college.

International Applicants

Additional admission instructions for those applying as an international first-year or transfer student.

Creative Supplement

This is required for programs in the Department of Art (except Art History), College of Performing Arts or Dodge College of Film & Media Arts.

Application Tips

Tips on completing your application and selecting a recommender.

How to Apply Video

Get a quick overview of the application process in this video:

<div class="testimonial-widget testimonial-widget--red"> <div class=" testimonial-widgetslide" tabindex="0"> <div class="testimonial-widgetrow"> <div class="testimonial-widgetimg--circle testimonial-widgetimg" style="width: 180px; height: 180px;"><img alt="" class="lazy internal-image testimonial-widget__img img--circle " src="/admission/_files/window.jpg" style="object-fit: ${_EscapeTool.xml($objectFit)}; object-position: ${_EscapeTool.xml($objectPositionX)} ${_EscapeTool.xml($objectPositionY)};" title=""></div> <div class="testimonial-widgettext"> <div class="testimonial-widgettitles"> <div class="faux-h2 testimonial-widgetfaux-h2"> Worried you might be missing something? </div> <div class="testimonial-widgetdepartment-title"></div> </div> <div class="testimonial-widgetbody"> After applying, you will be able to log into your Application Status Page and view if you have any missing materials. If you are missing anything, you can go to our Missing Items page to learn how to submit them. </div> <div class="testimonial-widgetcta"><a aria-label="" class="text--link" data-attribute="" href="/admission/undergraduate/how-to-apply/missing-items.aspx" id="how-to-submit-missing-items" tabindex="1" title=""> How to Submit Missing Items </a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="collapsibles-widget"> <h2 class="sectionHeader">Policy on Applicants’ Criminal History Question</h2><br><div class="row"> <div class="toggle-expand-collapse expand" data-toggle="collapsibles-widget__toggle" tabindex="0">Toggle Section</div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h3 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> Application Process </h3> <div class="content editableContent"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chapman University does not require applicants to disclose their criminal history during the admission process. The admission committee will make all decisions on candidates for admission without knowledge of criminal history.</span></div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h3 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> Enrollment Process </h3> <div class="content editableContent"> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With submission of an enrollment deposit, students will be required to answer the following questions:</span></p> <ul> <li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?</span></li> <li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do you have criminal charges pending against you or are you currently under investigation or indictment?</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depositing students who check “Yes” to either question will be sent a request to provide context and background information regarding their history. This information is not an automatic disqualification of enrollment and will be reviewed by a special committee within two weeks of receiving the information.  </span></p> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h3 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> Committee Review Process </h3> <div class="content editableContent"> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The review committee, which will consist of Admission and Dean of Students staff members, will review the student’s response, conduct an individualized assessment and determine whether the criminal background information justifies a revocation of the university’s offer of admission</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In performing this review, the committee will consider the gravity of the offense or charge and the potential risk or impact it presents to the university community. This committee will make the final decision about enrollment.  </span></p> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h3 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> Questions? </h3> <div class="content editableContent"> <p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any questions can be sent to Marcela Mejia-Martinez, Assistant Vice President of Admission, at either </span><a href="mailto:mamartin@chapman.edu"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mamartin@chapman.edu</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or 714-997-6711.  </span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wysiwyg-widget editableContent clearfix"> <div class="content"> <hr> <h2> </h2> <h2>Don’t Forget to Stay in Touch</h2> <p>You are not alone in the application process. Our Admissions team is happy to help you along the way. Below are some ways you can reach out and stay in touch.</p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="/admission/undergraduate/request-info.aspx">Request information.</a></strong> Join our interest list to receive university and application updates.</li> <li><a href="/admission/undergraduate/contact-us/counselor.aspx"><strong>Introduce yourself to your counselor.</strong></a> They would love to hear from you and can answer many of your questions.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://go.chapman.edu/portal/visit">Visit Chapman.</a> </strong>We offer ways to connect on campus or virtually.<br><em></em></li> </ul> <p><em>You can also use our <a href="/academics/degrees-and-programs.aspx">program finder</a> to help find which of our 100+ majors/minors is the right one for you.</em></p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><em>Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, religion, military status, or veteran’s status in its admissions policies or administration of its educational programs, including scholarship and loan programs, under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.</em></p> <p><em>Questions, concerns, or complaints may be directed to Colleen Wood, Title IX Coordinator at <a href="mailto:titleix@chapman.edu">titleix@chapman.edu</a>, phone (714) 997-6721, Argyros Forum Room 101, or to the Director, US Department of Education, Washington, DC, 20201.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Note: any questions relating to the admission process should be sent to <a href="mailto:admit@chapman.edu">admit@chapman.edu</a></strong></em></p> </div> </div>

Worried you might be missing something?

After applying, you will be able to log into your Application Status Page and view if you have any missing materials. If you are missing anything, you can go to our Missing Items page to learn how to submit them.

How to Submit Missing Items

Policy on Applicants’ Criminal History Question

Toggle Section

Chapman University does not require applicants to disclose their criminal history during the admission process. The admission committee will make all decisions on candidates for admission without knowledge of criminal history.

With submission of an enrollment deposit, students will be required to answer the following questions:

Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?
Do you have criminal charges pending against you or are you currently under investigation or indictment?

Depositing students who check “Yes” to either question will be sent a request to provide context and background information regarding their history. This information is not an automatic disqualification of enrollment and will be reviewed by a special committee within two weeks of receiving the information.

The review committee, which will consist of Admission and Dean of Students staff members, will review the student’s response, conduct an individualized assessment and determine whether the criminal background information justifies a revocation of the university’s offer of admission

In performing this review, the committee will consider the gravity of the offense or charge and the potential risk or impact it presents to the university community. This committee will make the final decision about enrollment.

Any questions can be sent to Marcela Mejia-Martinez, Assistant Vice President of Admission, at either mamartin@chapman.edu or 714-997-6711.

Don’t Forget to Stay in Touch

You are not alone in the application process. Our Admissions team is happy to help you along the way. Below are some ways you can reach out and stay in touch.

Request information. Join our interest list to receive university and application updates.
Introduce yourself to your counselor. They would love to hear from you and can answer many of your questions.
Visit Chapman. We offer ways to connect on campus or virtually.

You can also use our program finder to help find which of our 100+ majors/minors is the right one for you.

Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, religion, military status, or veteran’s status in its admissions policies or administration of its educational programs, including scholarship and loan programs, under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Questions, concerns, or complaints may be directed to Colleen Wood, Title IX Coordinator at titleix@chapman.edu, phone (714) 997-6721, Argyros Forum Room 101, or to the Director, US Department of Education, Washington, DC, 20201.

Note: any questions relating to the admission process should be sent to admit@chapman.edu

Contact Admission

Email us:

Call us: (714) 997-6711

Text us: (714) 942-5474

Send your documents:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866

Take a Self-Guided Tour

Virtually explore Chapman in this student-led tour through our Orange Campus. You'll be able to visit classrooms, hang-out spots, our residence life area and much more!