Chapman University supplemental essays

The prompts, one by one

1. Personal experience essay (choose one of two)up to 200 words · Community

   “Our committee would like to hear about a personal experience or lesson that has helped you better understand who you are now and/or appreciate a perspective different from your own. How would you utilize this understanding to contribute to the values and welcoming fabric of our campus community? Part of the Chapman experience is to help students expand their perspectives. How will you grow personally and/or learn more about others throughout your time at Chapman?”

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Chapman University because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Chapman University: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective."

2. Why Chapman?up to 200 words · Why us

   “Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, what excites you about attending Chapman University specifically?”

   What it's really asking

   Not "why is Chapman University good" but "what will you do here that you can't do elsewhere, and what in your past proves you'll actually do it." The reader already knows the school is good.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Opening with the campus, the ranking or the "world-renowned faculty." Every sentence that would survive with another school's name swapped in is wasted. Listing three programs with no explanation of any of them is the second trap.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Start with the specific thing you've already been doing. Name one or two concrete Chapman University resources (a course, a lab, a program, a professor's actual work) and say what you'd do with each. End on the next step, not on a compliment.

3. Why major? (declared applicants)up to 200 words · Why this major

   “Please tell us about your interest in the major you selected.”

   What it's really asking

   The moment this subject stopped being a class and became a question you couldn't drop. Chapman University wants evidence you've chosen on purpose, not by default.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Turning it into a résumé: grades, awards and "I have always been passionate about." A list of achievements is not a reason to study something. Grand missions ("to cure cancer") read as borrowed.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One specific experience, one specific confusion or question it left you with, and what you did about it on your own. Then one or two things in Chapman University's version of the major that match that question. Small and real beats big and vague.

4. Academic interests (undeclared applicants)up to 200 words · Why this major

   “Chapman University encourages academic exploration through our dynamic liberal arts curriculum. It's okay to be unsure of what you might want to major in. Please tell us about the academic areas that interest you currently.”

   What it's really asking

   The moment this subject stopped being a class and became a question you couldn't drop. Chapman University wants evidence you've chosen on purpose, not by default.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Turning it into a résumé: grades, awards and "I have always been passionate about." A list of achievements is not a reason to study something. Grand missions ("to cure cancer") read as borrowed.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One specific experience, one specific confusion or question it left you with, and what you did about it on your own. Then one or two things in Chapman University's version of the major that match that question. Small and real beats big and vague.

5. Panther Profile: hometown challengeno stated word limit · Community

   “The 'Chapman Challenge' combines going to the mountains, Disneyland, and the beach in one day. If you designed a challenge to showcase your hometown or community, what three stops would be on the itinerary?”

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Chapman University because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Chapman University: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective."

6. Panther Profile: place with a lineno stated word limit · Community

   “Chapman students often line up at Philz Coffee, Bruxie, or The Taco Stand. What is a place that attracts a line in your community?”

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Chapman University because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Chapman University: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective."

7. Panther Profile: where you gatherno stated word limit · Open prompt

   “Chapman students often gather with friends at the Attallah Piazza (heart of campus), Argyros Forum (student union) or the Masson Family Beach Club (on-campus outdoor pool). Where do you gather with friends?”

   What it's really asking

   Whatever matters to you that the rest of the application hasn't shown. Chapman University is giving you the floor; the question is what you choose to put on it.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Using the space to summarise achievements, apologise for a weakness, or restate the personal statement. Choosing a topic because it sounds like what colleges want.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One subject the reader couldn't guess from your file, told through a specific scene. Keep it in your own voice; if it sounds like a brochure, cut it. End on something still unresolved.

8. Panther Profile: your catchphraseno stated word limit · Community

   “Pete the Panther (our mascot), our students, and our community love to show Chapman pride by using the catchphrase 'Paws Up!' What is your catchphrase?”

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Chapman University because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Chapman University: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective."

9. Panther Profile: SoCal experienceno stated word limit · Why this major

   “Chapman's location puts students in the heart of Southern California, with access to beaches, major cities, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and career opportunities. What part of the SoCal experience are you most excited to explore?”

   What it's really asking

   The moment this subject stopped being a class and became a question you couldn't drop. Chapman University wants evidence you've chosen on purpose, not by default.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Turning it into a résumé: grades, awards and "I have always been passionate about." A list of achievements is not a reason to study something. Grand missions ("to cure cancer") read as borrowed.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One specific experience, one specific confusion or question it left you with, and what you did about it on your own. Then one or two things in Chapman University's version of the major that match that question. Small and real beats big and vague.

10. Panther Profile: fall concert headlinerno stated word limit · Open prompt

    “Chapman's student-led University Program Board hosts a concert each fall for students. If you could choose any artist, band, or entertainer to headline the fall event, who would you pick?”

    What it's really asking

    Whatever matters to you that the rest of the application hasn't shown. Chapman University is giving you the floor; the question is what you choose to put on it.

    Where drafts go wrong

    Using the space to summarise achievements, apologise for a weakness, or restate the personal statement. Choosing a topic because it sounds like what colleges want.

    The shape of a strong answer

    One subject the reader couldn't guess from your file, told through a specific scene. Keep it in your own voice; if it sounds like a brochure, cut it. End on something still unresolved.

11. Panther Profile: Master Class guestno stated word limit · Open prompt

    “Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts hosts many Master Classes featuring celebrities, open to all students, each year. This year's classes included, amongst others, Ariana Grande, the Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things fame (Chapman BFA, 2007), Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Spike Lee. Who would you like to hear from in your first year at Chapman?”

    What it's really asking

    Whatever matters to you that the rest of the application hasn't shown. Chapman University is giving you the floor; the question is what you choose to put on it.

    Where drafts go wrong

    Using the space to summarise achievements, apologise for a weakness, or restate the personal statement. Choosing a topic because it sounds like what colleges want.

    The shape of a strong answer

    One subject the reader couldn't guess from your file, told through a specific scene. Keep it in your own voice; if it sounds like a brochure, cut it. End on something still unresolved.

Every US applicant also writes the Common App personal statement: 650 words, seven prompts. Don't repeat it here; the supplements are for what the statement didn't show.

A self-check before you submit

Cover the school name and read the essay. Then cover your name and read it again. It should fail the first test (it only makes sense for Chapman University) and pass the second (only you could have written it). If it passes the first test, it's a brochure. If it fails the second, it's a template.