Transfer Application Deadlines
Fall 2025 Deadline
The fall application is open! Applications are due (postmarked) by February 15, 2025. Applications received after February 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.
Spring 2026 Deadline
The spring will open in August 2025. Applications are due by October 15, 2025. Applications received after October 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.
Please note that spring applications are not available for majors in Dance, Film & Television Production, Screen Acting and Theatre Performance.
Application Steps and Requirements
We encourage scheduling a one-on-one meeting with an admission counselor before applying. We'll review your coursework and plan your pathway to transfer. You can schedule a phone appointment by calling our office at (714) 997-6711.
Follow the steps below. Please only submit the University’s required documents.
Step 1: Start The Common App for transfer students and add Chapman University as a college within the app. Fill out both parts and submit your application.
- Chapman University Questions are submitted along with your Common App. You can learn more on our Application Tips page.
- Chapman does not require all Common App forms at the point of application. The College Report Form, Secondary School Final Report and the Mid-Term Report are not required unless requested after an initial review of your application.
Step 2: Submit letter(s) of recommendation
- Chapman requires one transfer letter of recommendation from all applicants. The recommendation can be from an academic, personal or professional resource.
- There is a Recommenders section within the Common Application that requires that you register your recommender as your “personal recommender” in this section. Regardless of how your recommender will be submitting their letter, you must register your recommender in this way. Once you have a personal recommender registered within the Common App recommenders section, the recommender can then submit their letter one of three ways:
- Once registered within Common App, the Common App will email your recommender a link for them to then upload their letter to your application,
- Your recommender can choose to mail in their letter on your behalf to: Chapman University Attn. Office of Admission, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866. (Please be sure the first and last name of the applicant is in the body of the rec letter.)
- Your recommender can email their letter to transfers@chapman.edu. We can add it to your file as long as the first and last name of the recommender is in the body of the rec letter
- Regardless of how the letter comes in, your recommender needs to be registered as your “personal recommender” in the recommenders section of the Common App. The Common App cannot be submitted by the applicant without a recommender listed. Applicants do not need to wait for their actual rec letter to come through. When ready, the applicant can submit their Common Application as long as the recommender is registered in the Common App.
- If applying to a talent-based/arts major, we encourage your recommender to be someone who can write about your experience, fit for the major at Chapman and anything else that might be relevant to know about the your interest.
Step 3: Pay application fee or submit a Fee Waiver Request
- You must submit the $70 non-refundable application fee via the Common Application or select the fee waiver option if you meet the Common Application fee-waiver guidelines.
- If you selected a fee waiver option that requires a supporting statement of economic need, your college counselor must approve your fee waiver request. They can submit their statement online or submit a form (with your Common Application ID number) by mail or via email to . We require fee waiver approval prior to the review of your application.
Step 4: Submit official college transcripts
- You must submit individual transcripts from all 2- and 4-year colleges you have attended or are currently attending. These will show any work completed and/or currently in progress.
- Fall applicants: please wait to submit your official college transcripts until your final fall grades are posted after your winter break.
- Official transcripts can be submitted either through the Common Application or sent directly from the applicant to Chapman via mail or email. Applicants are responsible for ordering transcripts. If ordering them to be mailed directly to Chapman, use the mailing address listed towards the top of this webpage. Some colleges have electronic options to order transcripts; as long as electronic transcripts are coming in from the college to Chapman they can be emailed to admtranscript@chapman.edu.
- Unofficial college transcripts, or copies submitted directly from the applicant, will not complete your file for review.
Step 5: Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable)
You must submit proof of high school graduation through one of the following: a final high school transcript, GED or State Proficiency Exam score report. This documentation must be official for Chapman to accept it. This only applies to transfer applicants who have less than 60 semester units or 90 quarter units completed at the time the application is submitted.
- If you need to submit final high school transcript, you should contact your former high school directly. A high school official can then email the transcript(s) to Chapman at admtranscript@chapman.edu. The email must come directly from someone that works at the high school. Applicants cannot mail their high school transcript directly to Chapman.
- Transcripts can also be sent through the mail (must be in a sealed high school envelope). Those can go to: Chapman University Attn. Office of Admission, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866. You can also mail in your own transcripts but they must be official/sealed in the high school envelope.
- High school transcripts cannot be submitted through the Common Application.
- Applicants utilizing a GED or a State Proficiency Exam to show proof of high school graduation should work directly with the Transfer Team (transfers@chapman.edu). They will assist you on how to order and have sent official score reports in lieu of a final high school transcript.
Step 6: Submit AP and/or IB test scores (if applicable)
Submit AP and/or IB test scores if you completed these exams in high school. Many times these previous scores can potentially be used towards college credit, either in your major or within general education at Chapman. You can use the following webpages to determine if you should send in your scores:
Step 7: Submit official college transcripts for any dual college enrollment you might have done while in high school (if applicable)
Step 8: Submit Creative Supplement (if applicable)
Applicants to academic majors within the colleges/departments below must also submit a Creative Supplement:
- College of Performing Arts
- Department of Art (except Art History)
- Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
You can only submit your Creative Supplement after submitting your Common Application. Visit our Creative Supplement page for more information.
Additionally, if you are considering transfering into a program that requires a Creative Supplement, we recommend you review our Tips for Transferring into Talent Programs page.
Step 9: Submit additional reports requested by Admission Committee (if applicable)
A College Officials Report and/or Mid-Term Report may be requested of certain applicants. Read more about these on our Transfer Reports page.
Step 10: Submit your FAFSA (if applying for financial aid)
If you plan on applying for need-based financial aid, then you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Chapman's code for the FAFSA is 001164.
