»How to Apply - First Year Students

Please review the information below for application deadlines, options and instructions for applying to Chapman University.

To receive application updates, be sure to stay in touch.

First-year application deadlines

Spring 2027 deadline

All applications to start in the spring are due by October 15, 2026. Applications received after October 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Fall 2027 deadlines

November 1, 2026 is the deadline for:

• Early Action (non-binding)
• Early Decision I (binding)

We recommend anyone applying to a Creative Talent program (i.e., those that require a Creative Supplement) apply by November 1. 

January 15, 2027 is the deadline for:

• Early Decision II (binding)
• Regular Decision deadline (all programs)

Applications for programs with priority deadlines will still receive full consideration if received by the Regular Decision deadline. Applications received after the Regular Decision deadline will be considered late and reviewed on a space-available basis.

Application options

There are four options for first-year students applying to Chapman in the fall:

1) Early Action (EA) is a non-binding early option. Decision notifications are sent in late December for most programs, and are then sent on a rolling basis through the beginning of February.

• EA applications are due November 1, 2026.
• EA applicants may apply to other Early Action colleges.
• Binding Early Decision and Early Decision II program applicants to other schools can also apply Early Action to Chapman.

2) Early Decision I is a binding early option. Decision notifications are sent in mid-December. This option is appropriate only if you are sure Chapman is your first choice.

• ED applications are due November 1, 2026.
• Binding means you must commit to enroll at Chapman if admitted to your first-choice major. (You will not need to commit to enroll if you are admitted to your second-choice major.)
• ED applicants looking to apply for need-based financial aid must submit their FAFSA.
• ED applicants cannot apply Early Decision to other institutions.
• ED applicants can apply EA to other colleges, but must withdraw those applications if admitted to Chapman.

3) Regular Decision (RD) is a non-binding option with notications going out later in spring. Decision notification for RD are sent in mid-March.

• RD applications are due January 15, 2027.
• RD applicants may apply ED or EA to other institutions.You can view complete spring and fall deadlines for RD below, under “First Year Application Deadlines."

4) Early Decision II is a binding option with notificiations going out later in spring. Decision notifications for ED II are sent in late January. 

• ED II applications are due January 15, 2027.

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Application steps and requirements

Follow the steps below to apply as a first-year student to Chapman University. Please only submit the university’s required documents.

Step 1: Complete and submit The Common App and Chapman University Questions.

• Students can upload a copy of their transcript in their Application Status Page. If you accept admission to Chapman, you will be required to submit official final high school transcripts before your first semester begins. 
• Chapman University Questions are submitted along with your Common App. You can learn more about Chapman University Questions on our Application Tips page.
• Chapman University has a test-optional admission process. This means most applicants can choose if they want their SAT or ACT scores reviewed with their application. For those submitting scores, we will accept:
  • Self-reported scores via the Common App’s “Testing” section.
  • Official scores sent directly from College Board or ACT. If you wish to send official scores directly from CollegeBoard or ACT, Chapman’s Testing Code for the SAT is 4047; for the ACT it is 0210.

Step 2: Submit letter(s) of recommendation via the Common App

• Request at least one letter of recommendation from one of your teachers through the "Recommender" section on the Common App.
• Chapman only requires one letter of recommendation, but will review up to two letters.
  • If you are applying to a creative talent major and need to submit a Creative Supplement, you can submit an optional additional letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to your creative abilities.

Step 3: Submit the Common App School Report form

Ask your counselor (or school official) to submit the Common App School Report form. Your counselor may also submit an attached letter of recommendation, although it is not required.

Step 4: Pay the application fee (Fee waiver available for eligible applicants)

• You must submit the $70 non-refundable application fee via the Common App, or select the fee waiver option if you meet the Common App fee waiver guidelines.

 

Additional required items for select applicants

The following items are required for those appliying to creative talent majors (i.e., those requiring a portfolio) and seeking to be considered for need-based aid. 

Submit the Creative Supplement (for creative talent majors)

Applicants to academic majors within the colleges/departments below must also submit a Creative Supplement:

• College of Performing Arts
• Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
• Department of Art (excluding Art History)

You can only submit your Creative Supplement after submitting your Common App. Visit our Creative Supplement page for more information.

Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile (for those looking to be considered for need-based aid)

To be considered for need-based aid, applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile. You will be able to indicate in the Common App whether you want to be considered for need-based aid. The FAFSA and CSS Profile will be due:

• November 15 for Early Action and Early Decision I applicants. 
• February 1 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants. 

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Fall 2027 Notification Timelines

When you'll hear from us depends on your notification plan and major. Timelines may shift slightly, but here's what to expect::

• Early Decision I applicants: mid-December
• Early Action - Film & Television Production applicants: mid-February
• Early Action - College of Performing Arts Program applicants: notifications begin in late December and are released through mid-March
• All other Early Action applicants: mid-December
• Early Decision II applicants: early to mid-February
• Regular Decision applicants: mid-March

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Applying for Financial Aid

Please visit our Applying for Financial Aid page for more information on submitting your FAFSA and CSS Profile, as well as financing your Chapman education.

 

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Recommended high school coursework

Strong coursework in these areas can make you a more competitive candidate, but these recommendations aren't requirements. We want to see that your curriculum and course rigor support the major you've applied to, in the context of what your school offers. Other colleges may have different requirements, so review the expectations at each school on your list.

• English: 4 years
• Math: 3-4 years
• Science: 2-3 years (at least two lab sciences)
• History/Social Science: 2-3 years
• Foreign Language: 3-4 years
• Arts/Electives: 2-3 years

Applying to a business, science, or engineering major? Aim for 4 years of math (through pre-calculus at minimum) and 3-4 years of science.

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How we can help

We are happy to help as you consider Chapman and work on your application:

• Visit Chapman. We offer ways to connect on campus or from wherever you are.
• Meet us at your high school. Our counselors will be visiting high school throughout the fall. If we're coming to your school, we'll send you an invite (as long as you've joined our interest list).

You can also use our program finder to help find the right major/minors for you.

 

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Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, religion, military status, or veteran’s status in its admissions policies or administration of its educational programs, including scholarship and loan programs, under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Questions, concerns, or complaints may be directed to Colleen Wood, Title IX Coordinator at titleix@chapman.edu, phone (714) 997-6721, Argyros Forum Room 101, or to the Director, US Department of Education, Washington, DC, 20201.

Note: any questions relating to the admission process should be sent to admission@chapman.edu