<p>I'm struggling to decided between Chapman and Berkeley. It comes down to whether I want the big school or the small school experience. My biggest concern is that Chapman lacks a social life, or that if I go there it will be hard to enjoy college as well as get a good education. Is there anyone that can help??</p>
<p>Chapman</a> University - Student L.E.A.D. Center - Student Organizations</p>
<p>^^ Try clicking here to see 60 recognized clubs and organizations. You could email their leaders to ask about clubs that interest you. Click on the red links.</p>
<p>Also, do you know how to get onto the chapman facebook to speak with current students that way? I don't know how to myself, but I'm sure that's how students talk to each other, not so much on this chat site about admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link! I kinda looked on facebook but I couldn't really come across any Chapman groups, but I'm going to try again.</p>
<p>I'm currently a second-semester freshman at Chapman (film production major).</p>
<p>First, here's the 2012 Facebook group: Login</a> | Facebook</p>
<p>When deciding on whether or not to come to Chapman, I was also concerned about the social life. I can say now, that I had no need to be concerned. I live on campus, with a lot of other freshman, and other students, and there are plenty of social activities. Not only are there the on campus groups, but there are plenty of things to do around Orange with friends, etc. The likeliness of getting bored, is pretty small. Personally, I'm not a member of an official group, and I still do things with friends, and attend social events all the time. It is a small school, but I came from a senior high school class of 45, so Chapman seems pretty big to me. I like the size, because I see people I know all the time. There are some large lecture classes, and there are some smaller classes as well. Granted, I'm just a second semester freshman, so I'm only saying this based off of my experience so far. Feel free to ask me any other questions.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I turned down several of the bigger UCs for Chapman and I have been very happy. And same as above, yes it is small, but there are still plenty of things to do, especially as a freshman living on campus with everyone else.</p>
<p>What are some of the things to do. I've just heard that the student body lacked school spirit and was pretty cliquey.</p>
<p>Not to be super negative. I'm just saying the worst of what I've heard. I'm just really torn I guess...</p>
<p>Well of course there are parties almost every single weekend, put on by a frat or sports team or whoever, and many of them have themes. If you are involved in Greek life there are tons of events like formal dances, community service projects, fund raisers, Greek week, etc. There are sports, which keep you busy, and a lot of clubs. A community service group that does a lot of projects including trips to a Tijuana orphanage twice a year. There are student groups for everything from religious affiliation to language clubs to nationalities to honor societies... Most departments seem to have a fraternity for those in that major. And there are always things going on around campus like special speakers, cardio and yoga classes in the Henley basement, karaoke occasionally, pool tables and foosball in the dorms, and a sand volleyball court and basketball right outside the dorms.
The beaches are pretty close to drive to, and really close to campus are the Honda Center, Angels Stadium, Disneyland, Knott's, shopping, good restaurants...
If you make an effort, it is easy to find things to do. Chapman has a lot of people that party, but also a lot of people who do not, and there are tons of things to do either way. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Yea that helps a lot. I guess I just needed to hear someone say it? I mean I'm already leaning towards Chapman, but I'm probably just going through the pre-committing jitters</p>
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I've just heard that the student body lacked school spirit and was pretty cliquey.
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<p>I can't really know, being a parent and from far away, but I think I decoded this "school spirit" thing as follows: UCLA and USC have nationally famous football and basketball teams, so there are huge games on the weekends that inspire big rallies, cheerleading, TV coverage, cars honking horns, and so on. </p>
<p>In nearby Orange County, Chapman students are positive, enthusiastic and involved with each other and their school activities. Different ideas about what consititutes "school spirit."</p>
<p>As for cliquey, I wonder if that isn't just a tired old description about Orange County, in general? Students come from all over the country to Chapman, bringing many ideas. If anything, try to get to know some of the out-of-state kids because they aren't in cliques; how could they be?</p>