Chapman University 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Chapman University 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 200 words or less

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community

Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, why are you interested in attending Chapman? (200 words are fewer)

Here’s the second half of this why essay duo and we’re sure you’ve seen it before: why here? Now’s the time to turn to your second pile of research and paint a picture of what your life would be like as a Chapman student. In other words, show off your fit! Maybe you grew up in a small town with a tiny high school, and you’ve been dreaming of attending a huge university. Beyond what you would gain, you should also think about what you would contribute. What kind of energy would you bring to such a large school? Maybe your religion has always been an important part of your life and you’ve been looking for a community that fosters spirituality and interfaith communication. Whatever your angle, make sure to tell admissions something new! Don’t re-trace old academic territory that you already covered in your first essay, and be sure to go beyond the basic facts and figures listed on the school website.

Choose one of the two prompts below to answer (200 words or fewer):

Choice 1: Personal Values

Our committee would like to hear about a personal value, experience, or lesson that has shaped your identity, behavior, aspirations, or commitment to a sense of belonging. How did it develop and/or change over time and how would it add to the diverse and welcoming fabric of our campus community? 

This prompt is asking you to cover a lot of ground in just 200 words, so the key to a dynamic response will be to make it succinct and authentic. Can you think of an experience that has shaped the person you are today? What was that journey like and why would the traits you developed be an important addition to the Chapman community? Maybe you grew up in a commune, which shaped you to consider the needs of the collective over those of the individual. Perhaps, last summer, you embarked on a wilderness expedition that changed the way you think about your place in the world. How was this experience meaningful to you? What wisdom did you acquire that you’d like to share with other students? Our advice is to freewrite everything that comes to mind, step away, then revisit with fresh eyes to piece your story together.

Choice 2: Personal Growth

Part of the Chapman experience is to help students evolve their perspectives. What types of personal growth do you hope to explore at Chapman and how can Chapman help in your growth?

What kind of person do you want to be? And how will a Chapman education help you get there? This prompt is all about vision. Four years is a long time in a young person’s life, and you will inevitably grow and deepen your understanding of all sorts of topics while pursuing your undergraduate degree. The strongest responses to this prompt will have a clear message. Maybe you were born and raised in a small town and are excited about the opportunity to expand your social butterfly wings and get to know people from different backgrounds. Does Chapman have clubs or volunteer opportunities that seem like a great place to meet and learn about others? Be sure to point to specific examples of Chapman’s offerings in order to show admissions that you’re doing your due diligence and are genuinely excited about what they have to offer.