Chapman University, School of Law Admission
Chapman University, School of Law Undergraduate Program
Chapman University, School of Law Application

The Facts

Chapman University is a rather small, private institution located in the town of Orange, California, and is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. The university has a combined graduate and undergraduate population of over 4,600 students, however, the university's school of law is significantly smaller, and is home to about 520 graduate law students. The average age of enrollment is around 25, and it is quite rare for any student to enter the school directly from their undergraduate education. The school is perhaps best known for its clinical law program, its strong ties in the Southern California legal community, as well as for its emphasis on ethics and justice. The school offers degrees in the 3 year JD, as well as a combined 4 year JD/MBA degree. Some of the most popular programs of study include courses in the areas of advocacy and resolution, environmental law, property, as well as taxation.

Admission to Chapman University's school of law is rather competitive among the relatively large amount of students who apply; last year, over 2,333 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 595 of those students were accepted. The admitted students had an average LSAT score ranging from 154 to 158, as well as an average undergraduate GPA of about a 3.5. Students are notified of their admissions status on a rolling basis, and there is currently no early application program in place.

The university's school of law has 26 faculty members, and students agree that they are extremely dedicated and even work overtime to ensure that their students are comfortable with their material. Many professors even meet individually with students once in awhile to check on their progress and comprehension. Some of the classes even vote to determine the structure of the course so it will be tailored to the needs of each set of students. The classes are quite small, and discussion plays a key role in the teaching method.

Employment Facts

Students at Chapman's law school seem a bit discontented with the school's visibility in the legal community, particularly outside of Southern California, where its ties are quite strong. Over 84% of the most recent graduating class were able to find jobs within a few months of receiving their degrees with an average starting salary of about $73,644, however, this statistic is low compared to other law schools. Students are most frequently hired by firms such as O'Melveny and Myers, the Orange Country district attorney's office, the Orange County Public Defender's office, United State district courts, Knobbe Martins, as well as the Riverside district attorney's office.

What's Good

"The faculty here has been the best part of my whole experience. They are so kind, and they really make sure everything runs smoothly for you and your peers."

"The administration is exceedingly friendly and helpful, which is a rare occurrence."

"The students here are incredibly intelligent, and we all push one another to work hard."

What's Bad

"People do get very competitive, particularly when it comes to getting jobs, because it isn't the easiest thing to do here."

"There aren't nearly enough internships here. It would be nice to get more real world experience before graduating."

"There really needs to be more on campus graduate housing. Off campus housing in Orange County is just not affordable for students."

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