Hannah

When i first heard about Chapman and where it was located, I formed some stereotypes. Orange County is known for its stuck-up, rich kids going to school on their parents' money and therefore not caring how they do. Of course there are a few of these at Chapman, but that is not the case for most. Most of the school is on scholarship, and we all need to work hard to keep our financial aid.

Also, because Chapman is about 40% Greek, we have gained the stereotype of being dumb sorority girls and crazy frat boys who only want to party. This is also not true. Our Greek life is shockingly and refreshingly different. Our chapters share a strong bond and have a higher GPA than Chapman's general student population. We are hard workers who love being involved and being leaders on campus. Greek life is an important part of Chapman's campus, but becoming Greek is not a necessity to have an amazing life at Chapman.

The best thing about this school is the people. I have made so many close friends, people I know I will keep in contact even after my term at Chapman comes to a close. I think this school is the perfect size-small enough that you will always recognize someone on your walk to class, but big enough that you can always make new friends at social events and in new classes. I love that it is not a big commuter campus because I am from Colorado and obviously do not go home on the weekends. There is always something to do, people to hang out with, or ways to get involved. I truly feel that Chapman wants me to grow up to be a successful leader in this busy world. The professors care deeply about my education, and strive to make everyone wiser at the end of the semester.

Because Chapman is located in the unexciting city of Orange, students must venture further if they wish to do something fun off campus. I like to travel to Anaheim and Los Angeles, because downtown Orange is only entertaining for the first week. Therefore, it can be difficult for a student who does not have a car to travel to new places and experience new aspects of California.

My favorite class was called Intro to Creative Writing and I took it my sophomore year. I entered the room and saw 10 desks in a circle. That was all we needed, because the class only had 10 students. In this class, I truly felt that the teacher cared about my learning experience. Everyone participated, knew each other's names, and enjoyed coming to class each week. I received strong, varied feedback on all of my assignments, because the professor cared about our work and had time to give us her opinions.

Something I like about Chapman is how most people are truly there to learn. It sounds nerdy, but I do love to learn and enjoy new experiences and facts. I love that I can continue a conversation with a classmate even after the class period ends, and how almost everyone is ready and willing to meet up for a study group on the weekend before a big test. And if we need help, we know our professors are only an e-mail away, and are happy to help us with any questions we have.

I do dislike a few of Chapman's professors, however. While most are there to help their students, some seem like they do not care, and I wonder what they are doing there. Some simply lecture every day, but then post their powerpoint online, and students wonder why they wasted their time going to class. I have had a few professors with accents, and was forced to drop those classes simply because I know I cannot learn if I cannot understand what a person is lecturing about.

I would love to say that our school is varied racially, ethnically, religiously, and financially. It is true that Chapman does have students all across the board, but put us all together, and we would not fit under a normal bell curve. The majority of Chapman's students are white, from Southern California, are of a Christian denomination, straight, Republican, and wealthy.

However, this does not mean that someone who does not fit this cookie cutter model would not fit in here. There are groups such as LGBT, the Black Student Union, and other multiracial clubs. Chapman does it's best to try to find a club or organization that is best for everyone, but sometimes people fall through the cracks.

I do feel the need to point out that a person not willing to get involved may not see Chapman as their ideal match for a college. If someone is shy and hopes to simply make friends in class, they may struggle. The great majority of Chapman is involved on campus in some way or another, and in order to be a leader, students must work hard and stand out a little bit.

At Chapman, our Greek life greatly outranks our athletics. 40% of Chapman is Greek, and strongly involved in their chapter. I can tell you the names of every sorority and fraternity on campus, but could not tell you when the next football game is, our what our water polo team's record is for the season.

Greek life is the best way to get involved,but it is not the only way. I enjoyed living in the dorms my freshman year because I became friends with many of the students on my floor. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to leave our doors open in most of the buildings, but I still made many friends. Also, all freshman are enrolled in an FFC (Freshman Foundation Course) their first semester. It is an elective taken with students who live in your building. This is an amazing way to meet people, and I am still friends with many of those in my class, even though it is almost three years later.

The party life at Chapman on the weekends is rather large. For the most part, if a student wants a party to go to on the weekends, they are very likely to find one. Although we are not a big party/drinking school, if you attend a concert on campus, most of the students there will have drank before.

On the weekends, i like to do a variety of things. I do enjoy going to the bars in downtown Orange, simply because they are within walking distance and many of my friends go there on Thursday nights. I do like to attend the occasional house party, or sometimes just hang out with my friends or roommates. I love that I always have a friend ready to make a late night Taco Bell run with me, or just watch a movie on a Friday night.

At Chapman, there really is something for everyone when it comes to the social life.

Most students go to house parties over the weekend. There is always something going on and friends to hang out with.

Students 21 and older can be found at the local bars on Thursday nights, located in the Orange circle.

There are sometimes movies playing in the piazza for students to enjoy. We relax during the day by walking to Cherry on Top to enjoy some frozen yogurt. But we also do a lot of studying and catching up on things we missed during the week.

My favorite part about living in California is the weather. It might be 30 degrees and snowing somewhere else in the country, but in SoCal, it's 75 and breezy.

I love the days where I have a short class, and follow it with a day tanning. We have two beautiful pools at Chapman, and you can always find students lying in the sun or hanging out with their friends. It is extremely relaxing, and I feel like I am in paradise.

I wouldn't say the dating scene here is different from any other campus. We have many couples, but also many single students. Everyone is extremely open to meeting new people, making new friends, and having a good time.

I will not promise that you are going to find your soul mate at Chapman. Many people are not ready to settle down, but this is the same as many college students anywhere. Chapman can be a lot of fun in regards to making friends of the opposite gender.

Chapman is 40% Greek, which is unheard of for a school this small. The Greek chapters are all very proud an competitive. We have 7 sororities and 7 fraternities, but no houses. Being Greek is the best way to get involved and become a leader, but it is not necessary.

The Greek population is huge and can be overbearing, but it is a lot of fun. All of the chapters bond and have fun together, and do not hold any strong hatred toward any other chapter.

It is impossible to find a school in this world where every professor is amazing, but Chapman comes pretty close. I can honestly say that every one of my professors cares about my education and my future. The majority of my teachers know me by name, and are comfortable enough to say hello to me as they pass me walking around campus.

Every one of my professors encourages their students to visit them in their office hours if they have questions. I have e-mailed almost all of my professors throughout my Chapman career and have received quick, helpful responses.

However, you are bound to run into a few of Chapman's professors that are not top notch. Some have confusing accents, and some just base their lectures off of boring presentations. Some do not know how to spice up their daily lectures, and one or two might never call you by the right name. But either way, they are all happy to talk to you outside of class and help you on that paper you cannot seem to finish. Chapman is full of amazing professors who truly care about their jobs and their students, and this is a rare thing in colleges around America.