Why Chapman?

autos · 04-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Why should a student consider Chapman as opposed to more famous, more liberal colleges? Please respond quick. May 1st is tomorrow.

investorscooter · 04-30-2009, 08:13 PM

Are you really now deciding, or is this an academic question? Don't pose a hypothetical, if you've got a couple of specific choices, then they should be included in your question.

As a general rule, though, it's about the fit, and I know that it sounds cliche, but that's truly the bottom line. I know of a few Ivy league students who transferred out because they didn't feel that they were in an optimal environment - for them.

nov9th · 04-30-2009, 11:40 PM

Because liberal does not equal best choice for everyone and certainly doesn't dictate status. paying an arm and a leg for a place with the highest academics and prestige while being miserable amongst weird nerds and rude hipsters in a scary urban environment doesn't appeal to me. I'm taking a close look at this school because it fits me. if I was only looking and paying for academics, I'd take online courses. so fit + opportunities + other things are major factors in this investment.

besides, chances are those who go here won't leave california. the employers who have heard of chapman are all that matter and are plentiful down there.

timely · 05-06-2009, 11:44 PM

What do you mean when you say "more liberal"? Because if you are talking politics, I can't imagine that there are very many schools more liberal than Chapman. My son is a member of the Chapman College Republicans. I think they maybe have 15 or so members.

investorscooter · 05-07-2009, 06:56 AM

timely: in my estimation, and it's just an opinion formed after lots of research and some campus visits, Chapman COULD give the impression that it's rather more conservative than the average college, especially a California one. Firstly, it's housed in Orange County, which is conservative. Secondly, it seems to have a very active Greek component, which is generally correlative to tradition and conservatism. Think the southern frat/sorority scene. Thirdly, it has a strong B-school component, which also draws students/faculty with interests in the existing economic paradigm. I could name hundreds of colleges which would absolutely not accept John Yoo's appearance on the visiting faculty roster.

My D goes to Occidental College, up the road. THEY are super liberal (no Bschool, no Greeks, hyper social activists, etc.), so in our household it will really look like my S is going to attend a conservative leaning institution. I think he actually was looking for a more balanced atmosphere.

timely · 05-07-2009, 02:11 PM

You are right about Orange County being conservative, investorscooter, but most of the student body isn't from Orange County. There are lots of Greeks, but I haven't seen any signs of conservatism amongst them. I think they are mostly just kids who like to go to parties.

The John Yoo hiring has generated protests at Chapman. Many students want him ousted.

Gay Pride week was apparently a big deal on campus and widely celebrated, and on election night, after Obama was declared the winner, my son said there was literally dancing in the streets.

My impression, based solely on the things my son has said, is that the student body is overwhelmingly liberal, but a lot of them are rich kids who don't really care much about issues. They are liberal because it's the thing to be, not because they've ever really thought about it. Clearly, I'm not talking about everyone. Those who have been protesting about John Yoo are probably clear on the issues.

From my (conservative) perspective, Chapman is not balanced at all; it is a very liberal school.

funfun · 05-07-2009, 03:07 PM

Question for timely: comparatively, how many members are there in the young Democrats, Greens, P & Fs, Socialists, and declines to state? Do any of these groups have more than 15?

funfun · 05-07-2009, 03:17 PM

Question for investorscooter: a lot of acceptees were also accepted at schools considered A schools but picked their majors over a more respected school. How will your son sell his school when he looks for a job? A lot of others are in the same boat and it would be great to come up with an approach to explain the choice when looking for a job. Other than pulling out all the acceptance letters and saying "I chose this," which wouldn't come off well when seeking a job, how do we get the school out of the B reputation?

timely · 05-07-2009, 03:43 PM

funfun, I don't know all the numbers...sorry. I know that before the presidential election, the college Democrats and college Republicans had a debate. Each had a panel of students representing the views of their presidential candidate. S said the audience was an auditorium full of Democrats with a very, very small smattering of Republicans. When it comes to weekly club meetings for both groups, I would expect the numbers would be pretty small for each.

Today on campus, The College Republicans are holding "Republican Coming Out Day". It's a tongue in cheek activity to encourage "closet Republicans" not to be afraid to say what they believe. There is a reason they decided to have an activity like that. There are not very many of them (Republicans/conservatives).

investorscooter · 05-07-2009, 05:16 PM

funfun: I'm so sorry if I gave the impression that Chapman was a "B" rated school!!! That was not my intent at all! I was using the business shorthand for "business school", which is B-school! My bad. My son chose Chapman because he wanted to study/do film production. It was a specific program that he could get only at Chapman (out of all the film schools, he was accepted to Chapman. Declined at FSU & NYU). I don't think he'd be so interested in Chapman if he didn't do film.

timely: If only 21% of the American population is self-identifying as Republicans, then you can see why the total cohort of college Republicans is small, too. I'm glad they're bravely sticking to their identities - if it's well thought out, of course. Same too with the Democrats and others. It's obviously easier to be a Democrat these days, than to be a Republican. And of course, the inimitable Kermit always had words of wisdom: It's not easy being Green (party).

yuppers · 05-14-2009, 10:25 PM

If I could give Chapman a grade, I would give it a B.

investorscooter · 05-14-2009, 10:29 PM

Yuppers: I'm just curious. What is your background, and by what measures would Chapman rate a "B"? I find myself having to defend my S's choice to everyone who inquires.

yuppers · 05-14-2009, 10:44 PM

There are many, many things wrong with Chapman. The retention rate seems to be decreasing every year. I have only been here one year, but I could tell by the first month that it didn't have much to offer.

1. They like to charge you for anything and everything, so watch out!
2. The faculty and staff here can be a hit or miss. Some are very rude, but of course there are a few faculty members that you will keep in contact for the rest of your life.
3. You have to sometimes correct the professors. Either because they get things wrong or because they don't really read your exam so they don't give you the points you deserve.
4. Triple rooms (in the dorms) are suffocating.
5. There is not much campus life.
6. The facilities and resources are just okay.
7. Dining hall times are very limited. After 6:30 pm on saturdays, there is no place to eat on campus. Most schools have on campus restaurants that are open until 2 am everyday.
8. The library closes very early so if you want to study late on the weekends, you'll probably either be in your room (while your roommate is partying in your room) or you'll have to get into a different building before public safety locks all the buildings.
9. The internet sometimes works, sometimes doesn't

The one plus is that the food is excellent (or at least compared to many other universities)!

Overall, Chapman is a very average school. If you never visit any other universities, then you would think Chapman is wonderful. But if you go and visit your friends at other colleges, you'll realize that those colleges have so much more to offer. Chapman is a developing school...kind of like a 2nd world country. It's making it's way up the charts. It'll probably be a few more years though.

investorscooter · 05-14-2009, 11:01 PM

Thanks for taking the time/effort for the imput. I understand what you're saying. What program are you studying, and do you think the Dodge students are, in the main, happy?

yuppers · 05-14-2009, 11:05 PM

I am in the business school, but I will be transferring to another university next year. I do believe that Dodge students are very happy. Most of the facilities are brand new. Also, film majors tend to work together on projects and what not, so they usually become close friends.