<p>Hi, all. :3 Chapman is one of my top choices, and almost everything seems great about it for me. But I have one big concern, and that's the atmosphere/culture there.</p>
<p>I've visited UCLA and USC a lot with friends and relatives, and I've even had plenty of overnight stays there, etc. I really don't like the cultures/environments there. They were both too vapid, average, "SoCal stereotype" for me. :-/ Even though I'm from SoCal myself, I've always considered myself NorCal in personality (based on the stereotypes). I'm artsy, liberal, alternative-minded, quirky, etc, and I really want an environment like that at college.</p>
<p>As far as Chapman goes, I've heard from a lot of people that the student body overall fits the Orange County stereotypes. How true do you guys think this is? I think the culture at a college is super important, so I'm having trouble with this. Thanks for any insight!</p>
<p>I was really scared that Chapman would be filled with stuck-up OC types, but when I visited campus on Preview Day, everyone seemed really cool. : ) You should visit if you have the chance; visiting definitely helped me make the decision to go to Chapman for sure.</p>
<p>First of all, you’re assuming that because Chapman is located in Orange County that all the students attending Chapman are from OC. Only 12% of Chapman’s Dodge College’s incoming freshmen are coming from OC (don’t know about the rest of the university…). Also, you have to know that OC is NOT like what is depicted on television. While you have your vapid, plastic-surgery obsessed crowd in certain noveau-riche communities, the majority of OC folks are normal everyday folks. The very location of Chapman – in oldtown Orange – speaks to a more quaint “vintage” atmosphere (I couldn’t imagine seeing any of those “Real Housewives of OC” living in the old, small bungalows around the university!). </p>
<p>My observation was that students there seemed very friendly (yes, I know, if they are students ambassadors, you would expect them to be nice…), but I also found that to be true with every staff member. Everyone was extraordinarily kind, which I didn’t find at other campus visits. I think you will definitely find a kindred spirit at Chapman.</p>
<p>That’s great to hear! Thanks! 
I’m going to visit in a few weeks, and I hope I get to meet as many nice people as you did. ^_^</p>
<p>Are there are also a significant amount of artsy/hipster types there by any chance? 
<em>crosses fingers</em> :p</p>
<p>I’m sure there are considering how strong and enticing their visual and performing art majors are. You’ll find photography, film, dance kids and there should be many artsy/hipsters in that bunch.</p>
<p>Sounds great! Also, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana are pretty close to campus, right? Can you walk there?</p>
<p>@sharedplanet I had the EXACT same concern!
But, I’m a so-called “artsy/hipster/liberal” type (AND from NorCal lol) so you won’t be alone! haha :D</p>
<p>I went to Preview Day as well, and although I noticed a few ‘stereotypical OC’ kids, there were definitely plenty of normal kids wandering around as well (including myself lol). And yes, like KollegeKat said, there were even MORE so in the Film Dept. (which I’m in. And everyone there was really friendly too). So hopefully that eases some of the issues you had with Chapman before! </p>
<p>Not sure about Costa Mesa in relation to Chaptown, but Santa Ana is really close. Walkable, but probably wayyyy better to bike there.</p>
<p>The distance from Orange to Santa Ana is about 4 miles. Costa Mesa is a 15 minutes drive from Orange.</p>