Chapman University

Chapman University is very difficult to get into. Around 73% of applicants get into Chapman University each year. Out of 13,690 applications received in 2023, 9,928 students were offered admission.

If you are considering submitting an application to Chapman University, the regular decision application deadline is January 15 and the fee for the application costs $70.

Students who submit their applications to Chapman University for the fall semester should hear back from Chapman University by April 1.

Chapman University Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here is an overiew of some of Chapman University's admissions stats.

Chapman University 2023	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.8
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	26%
Mean SAT Score	1296
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	25%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	12%
Waitlist	Yes

Chapman University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Chapman University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 1	December 20
Early Decision II	–	–	–
Early Action	Yes	November 1	December 20
Regular Decision	Yes	1 15	April 1

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Want to Apply Early to Chapman University?

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Chapman University offers early decision and also offers early action. Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

🗓️ Early Decision I applications are due by November 1 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 20.

🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 1. Chapman University will release EA admissions decisions no later than December 20.

The early decision acceptance rate at Chapman University is 61%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 73%.

Chapman University accepts around 76% of early action applicants and 73% all applicants for all deadlines. Last year, Chapman University admitted 130 of the 214 students who applied early decision. Last year, Chapman University admitted 4,547 of the 5,979 who applied early action.

Some students apply early because they believe it will boost their chances of being offering admission. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase your chance of acceptance, since it shows your interest in a school.

➡️ Discover a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on Chapman University Admissions

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How Difficult Is It To Get Admitted to Chapman University?

Chapman University is a very difficult school to get into. Chapman University evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny or waitlist.

In 2022, Chapman University accepted 73% of students, approximately 9,928 of the 13,690 students who applied.

Schools that are very difficult to get into, like Chapman University, accept fewer than 60% of all applicants. At least 50% of all admitted students have GPAs in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT and over 26 on the ACT.

Transferring to Chapman University

It is moderately difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to Chapman University

In 2022, Chapman University waitlisted 992 students and 567 accepted a place on the waitlist.

What's Most Important for Getting Into Chapman University?

Colleges consider a range of factors when deciding who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college determines which factors are are most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that prioritize the areas where you stand out.

Admissions Factors at Chapman University

What does Chapman University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Character/Personal Qualities	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Academic GPA	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent/Ability	Important
Geographical Residence	Considered
Interview	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
Recommendation(s)	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Level of Applicant's Interest	Considered
First Generation	Considered

Make sure to check with Chapman University for more information on admission factors.

Chapman University 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to Chapman University, all applicants must submit the following items. Check in with Chapman University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Interview	–	–	–	–
Other Requirements	–	–	√	audition for music, dance, and theatre majors; portfolio for art and film majors; supplemental application for all talent-based majors
Transcript(S) of College Record	–	–	–	–
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)	–	–	–	–
Letter(s) of Recommendation	1	–	–	–
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√	–	–	–
Transcript of High School Record	√	–	–	–

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Chapman University?

Students admitted to Chapman University have an average unweighted GPA of 3.8. Chapman University considers weighted GPA scores from incomging students.

Out of all students that were admitted, 31% submitted a class rank. At Chapman University 26% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 63% were in the top 25% and 91% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Chapman University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	–
3.75 and 3.99	–
3.50 and 3.74	–
3.25 and 3.49	–
3.00 and 3.24	–
2.50 and 2.9	–
2.00 and 2.49	–

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Chapman University directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

Chapman University has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 25% of Chapman University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 12% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for Chapman University?

To be competitive with other Chapman University applicants, you should aim to earn between 1220 and 1380 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Chapman University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1380 and 25% of scored lower than 1220, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a Chapman University student is 1296.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Chapman University students scored 700 or higher and 75% of students scored 600 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Chapman University students scored 700 or higher, and 75% scored a 600 or higher.

To be most competitive at Chapman University, you should strive to earn between 26 and 31 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 31 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Chapman University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 31, and three out of four students scored lower than 31 on the ACT.

A 26 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Chapman University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 26.

More Information on Transferring to Chapman University

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to Chapman University.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is February 15. Transfer applications are processed on a on a rolling basis as they are received.

Transfer students can enroll in Chapman University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term

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Chapman University Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to Chapman University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Chapman University.

Does Chapman University accept transfer credits?

✅ Chapman University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. Chapman University accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does Chapman University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Chapman University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Chapman University?

❌ No, Chapman University is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you should strongly consider submitting them. If your scores are average or below average, you it might make sense to leave them out of your application.

What is Chapman University's acceptance rate?

✅ Chapman University has an acceptance rate of 73%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Chapman University?

✅ Chapman University's early decision acceptance rate was 61% in 2021.

What is the early action acceptance rate at Chapman University?

✅ The early action acceptance rate at Chapman University was 76% in 2021.

Want To Learn More About Chapman University?

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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