Enrollment: 1995
Average LSAT: ###,###,##0
Pass Rate for First Time Bar Exam: 77%
Average Undergrad GPA: 0.00
Regular Application Deadline: 04/15
School Type: Private
Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Part Time Program: 45%
Evening Program: No

In-State Tuition: $35,950.00
Financial Aid Deadline: 03/02
Average Loan Received: $40,258.00

Best Classroom Experience
Best Quality of Life
Best Professors

School Says - Cost Aid
Tuition $35,950
Fees $283
Estimated room and board per academic year: On and off campus $13, 968
Estimated cost of books and other academic expenses per academic year (for full- time JD students only)
$1,500 Financial aid application deadline: 3/2 Financial aid decisions are rendered on a rolling basis.
Notification of awards generally begins in March Percent of financial aid that is merit based: 17 Percent of JD students from each of the following categories receiving some form of aid: New JD Students: 98
Total JD Students: 93
Percent of JD students from each of the following categories receiving scholarships or grants:
New JD Students: 46
Total JD Students: 51
Percent of JD students from each of the following categories receiving loans:
New SJD Students: 83
Individual aid packages awarded to full time JD students:
Average annual total aid pack gage awarded to JD Students: $48,422
Average Annual Scholarship/Grant Aid awarded to JD Students receiving scholarships/grants: $17,393
Average annual loan aid to JD students receiving loans: $40,693
Average dollar amount of outstanding educational law school loans per 2007 graduate: $94,397

Student Says - Academics
"There is a certain youthful exuberance about the place" that instills "a great sense of pride" in Chapman University School of Law students. Administrators here are "constantly working" "to raise the reputation of the school" and to "help [students] get jobs and have successful careers." They're also "incredibly receptive to student ideas. When we ask for things, they happen," a 1L reports. One example is Chapman's brand-new entertainment law certificate program, which incorporates "courses from [its] prestigious School of Film." Students are even more upbeat regarding Chapman's professors, who boast tremendous real-world experience: "I took civil procedure from a professor that was one of the attorneys in the Exxon Valdez litigation; my constitutional law professor clerked for Justice Thomas and is on a first-name basis with Justice Scalia; my criminal law professor's prior career was defending death-row candidates; and my evidence professor was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for a number of years," a 2L brags. While "Being taught by prestigious and experienced professors would be great on its own," professors here don't rest on their laurels, staying "in touch with their students, encourag[ing] feedback, and [remaining] very accessible for class-related discussions as well as life advice." All "keep open office hours, and even the busiest are keen to make appointments with interested students. It is great to know that some of the most knowledgeable people in the country in various areas of the law are merely a flight of stairs away," a 2L writes. It also doesn't hurt that they "give career advice and provide contacts."
If Chapman students can't get enough of their professors, clinics provide them the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a specific area of the law under the supervision of a faculty member. Many students flock to the entertainment and tax law clinic; Chapman is "the only school in the area" to offer such a program. Regarding his constitutional jurisprudence clinic, a 2L tells us he is learning "the legal and constitutional implications of current situations (the NSA surveillance program was one of our topics). I also helped to prepare congressional testimony, amicus briefs, and other legal memoranda under the guidance of one of the country's more recognized constitutional scholars. While I don't doubt that there are institutions throughout the country with professors as knowledgeable and experienced...I highly doubt that any other school offers students the chance to interact and participate with those top scholars in the actual representation of clients in cases of particular constitutional import. I certainly don't know of many 2L students whose work is cited by the Senate Judiciary Committee!" In the area of academic support, a 1L writes: "All of my professors have been willing to meet with students to review exams and assignments, some even scheduling weeks of extended office hours to accommodate everyone and even holding meetings to conduct review problem sessions." In addition, many "successful upperclassmen run small study groups."
"Everyone takes pride" in the "immaculate" law building, which features a "polished marble" lobby and classrooms designed "with acoustics in mind." In addition, "Each classroom is equipped with a computer for the instructor, a projector, [a] document camera, [a] microphone, and a number of other gadgets... There are power outlets everywhere and wireless Internet access is ubiquitous," though "ubiquitous" may mean "doesn't work in a few key rooms and certain places in the library." Students' biggest complaint remains that "people outside of Orange County have never heard of us, and that can make getting a job difficult." While some here suggest "more marketing" to boost the school's profile, a sanguine 2L asserts that as students here "graduate and disseminate into the legal community, Chapman's name grows," adding, "It is already very well-respected within Orange County and is quickly gaining prominence in Los Angeles and San Diego. I feel that it is only a matter of time before Chapman's reputation matches the education it provides."

Students Say - Campus Life
Chapman students argue that the school's location in Orange-right in the middle of Orange County, California-"can't be beat." "It's 80 degrees in February, and you're only 20 minutes from the beach," a 1L writes. In the midst of the Southern California sun, students report, "Even though we are all enduring law school, everyone is quite pleasant and fun to be around." Students are "concerned about class rankings and job opportunities," but are still "very willing to assist each other with the material." A 2L explains, "Everyone wants to do well, but not at the expense of others. People are willing to share notes, books, space at a table in the library-[it's] a very cooperative environment that allows students to focus on their studies." Though some complain that "after the first year, [students] really still only socialize within their 1L track," most here don't seem to mind. "The environment is a bit high school-ish, but in a fun way," a 2L reports. "Everyone enjoys the daily gossip." "We all hang out on the weekends and after school," a 1L adds. It should be noted that "diversity is well accepted" at Chapman, though a "more diverse student body" is called for.

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