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Undergraduate Admission

Applicants from Hawai'i

» Applicants from Hawai'i

Chapman is proud to have a significant population of students from Hawai’i who play a key role in cultivating the ohana spirit throughout the campus community.

The resources below will help you learn more about Chapman and the admission process.

Chapman’s Hawaiian student highlights

200+

undergraduate students from Hawai'i.

4%

of undergraduate students come from Hawai’i.

Financing your educationhawaiian-male-1.jpg

We understand the importance of making education accessible. This is why we offer financial resources that make attending college more affordable, so cost should not prevent you from applying.

 

Outside scholarships for students from Hawai'i

In most cases, these scholarships can be combined with awards you receive from Chapman or other institutions.

Details of each scholarship are subject to change, so make sure to check the scholarship's website for the most up-to-date details.

 


Chapman’s clubs and organizationshawaii-club.jpeg

Chapman offers many clubs and activities for students from Hawai’i to create a sense of community. These include:

Chapman’s Hawaiian Club (Pua’ikeana)

  • Pua’ikeana: Chapman’s Hawaiian club shares the Hawaiian culture with the Chapman community, and through service, perpetuates the "Aloha Spirit." The club supports students from Hawai’i through weekly meetings and by acting as an extended family that fosters a home-away-from-home.

Related clubs and opportunities

  • Mission Environment: Chapman’s environmental club that educates and encourages more sustainable practices within the lives of students at the university. During club meetings, topics discussed range from waste to ocean plastic to climate change. Outside of club meetings, members organize beach cleanups, hikes, and other environmentally related activities.
  • Team Shaka: Chapman’s student hip-hop group that performs at events such as Orientation, Spring Sizzle, Airbands, Midnight Breakfast and more. The club aims to entertain the Chapman campus though dance and create a creative outlet for Chapman students to come together, collaborate visions, and share love for the hip-hop culture.

Local beach activitiesbeach-day.jpeg

Chapman is close to several beaches like Newport, Huntington, and Laguna. Some beach activities that students can take-part in include:

  • Chapman Surf Club: A club that unites students of all skill levels who are passionate about surfing. Through beach days, surf classes, and bonding activities, Surf Club fosters friendships both in and out of the water.
  • Beach clean-ups: Chapman Pua’ikeana organizes regular beach clean-up events for students to come together and enhance the nearby beaches around Chapman, including Laguna and Newport.

Admitted students can also learn about and join clubs in-person at the Student Involvement Fair, which takes place once every semester.

Chapman’s Hawaiian Alumni Association

The Hawaiian Alumni Association serves as a lifelong link for Chapman graduates who come from Hawai’i, extending connections both among fellow alumni, current students from Hawai’i, and with Chapman as a whole.

Jayda Cortez ‘24
Health Science major
“Moving from Hawai’i to California was exciting yet intimidating, but joining Pua’ikeana made me feel welcomed and supported. Pua’ikeana has given me a home away from home, where I can be myself around others with the same background. Together, we spread the Aloha spirit and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture at Chapman.”

Admission resources

Pua’ikeana

Pua’ikeana reaches out to new/incoming students from Hawai'i over the summer to be a resource and welcome you to the Panther Ohana. You can also use Pua’ikeana to get a better understanding of what to bring with you to campus.

You will also have a chance to connect with other students from Hawai'i for ride-share opportunities to reduce transportation costs to and from airports. 

Admission counselors for Hawai’i

Chapman has two admission counselors assisting assisting applicants and families from Hawai’i. They answer your questions about Chapman and assist you throughout the admission process.

Chapman’s Hawai’i visits

  • Every year, Chapman representatives travel to dozens of high schools in Hawai’i. To get a notification if we are visiting your school, fill out our Request for Information form.
  • In the spring, we hold an admitted student reception on Oahu. This is a great chance to learn more about Chapman and meet other admitted and incoming students from Hawai’i.

Chapman resourcesluau.jpeg

Orientation opportunities

  • Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Orientation Welcome Reception: At Orientation, you can attend a welcome reception where you will meet staff and faculty who provide resources and support for students of diverse backgrounds and identities. 
  • Orientation Affinity Socials: During orientation, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other students and staff who are part of the Hawaiian Affinity group. Students may also attend and meet with as many affinity groups as they identify with.

Current student opportunities

  • Cross-Cultural Center: Provides students with a safe space, and offers programs and services intended to affirm the value of and support students from underrepresented identities.
  • Annual Lu'au: Every May, Chapman Pua’ikeana hosts a Hawaiian feast in honor of May Day that includes hula dancing, traditional Hawaiian food, drinks, and games. 
  • Evening of Aloha: Every November, Chapman Pua’ikeana hosts a mini lu'au where students can participate in games, eat Hawaiian food, and enjoy hula performances.
Paige Ho '25
Applied Human Physiology major
"Moving from Hawai‘i was a big adjustment for me, but Chapman provided me the opportunity to explore my interests and find a community I feel supported in. My experience here would not be the same without the people I met through Pua‘ikeana. We share similar experiences and values, so spending time with them helps me feel less homesick."

Local transportation for students from Hawai’istudents-in-orange-1.jpg

Most students from Hawai’i arrive without a car, and that’s fine! There are many shopping, dining and employment opportunities within walking distance of campus

Whether you want to explore the historic charm of Old Towne or soak up the sun at the beach, you will have access to the following modes of transportation:

  • Walk to Old Towne: Just two blocks from campus, Old Towne has dozens of local shops, restaurants, and cultural events.
  • Take the train to Los Angeles, San Diego, or the beach: The Metrolink train network has a stop right on campus. Metrolink connects major cities in Southern California and makes several at the beach. Chapman students also get a Metrolink discount!

 

Do I Need a Car?
If you're deciding whether to have a car on campus, visit the "Do I Need a Car?" page to explore all the available transportation options and determine what works best for you.

Traveling to Chapman

If you are planning a visit to Chapman and taking Hawaiian Airlines, we recommend their direct flight from Honolulu to Long Beach Airport (which is about 20 miles from campus).

In addition, you could fly into:

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which has options for direct flights from Hawai’i, but is around 40 miles from campus and often has severe traffic. 
  • Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is only 10 miles from campus but has limited and often cost-prohibitive flight options from Hawai’i.

 


Academic opportunitieshawaii-abroad.jpeg

At Chapman, we support academic endeavors both at home and abroad.

Study abroad opportunities

Chapman encourages the incorporation of studying abroad as a significant element of the complete college experience. Oftentimes, it's more affordable than anticipated and will still enable you to graduate on time!

Anika Jiang ‘23
Business Administration major with an emphasis in Marketing
“In my first year at Chapman, I did a summer internship at Summit Media Hawai’i, working for renowned local stations like Power 104.3, Krater 96, Hawaiian 105, and FM 100. I am fortunate to have had this opportunity, and I am grateful for Chapman's support in helping me reach my goals!”

Frequently asked questions


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Orange, CA 92866

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