<p>You should fit right in-- the complainers seem to be a vocal minority. Most Chapman students are very driven and passionate (especially those in the sizable fine arts community-- music students, theater and dance students, and film students can get pretty intense, but are also fascinating folk), but they’re also laid-back and friendly. There aren’t many Easterners, but that’s more because of applicant provincialism-- the school is still making its bones in national circles. Both the people I’ve met on campus and those I’ve met through other means (like this group on Facebook: <a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/203789823023129/?bookmark_t=group[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/203789823023129/?bookmark_t=group</a> ) are very welcoming; the clinching decision for me was that people were very relaxed and open and willing to help a prospective out, as opposed to schools like Skidmore or NYU, where everyone was pretty brusque. There’s definitely a lot of money on campus-- the parking garages are full of Beamers and Benzes-- but Chapman is also extremely generous with aid and so you’ll see a lot of students from fairly diverse financial backgrounds.</p>
<p>As for the “religious intrusiveness”, that sounds out of character to me. Chapman is technically affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, but I’ve never been aware that it’s even nominally religious. They did attempt to purchase the Crystal Cathedral earlier this year to repurpose it for a new med school/dorm complex, but were outbid by the Catholic Church.</p>
<p>From my experience, it sounds like Chapman is a great place for your daughter, and you shouldn’t be put off until you’ve visited, especially given that it’s the best film school on the West Coast. Best of luck!</p>