» How to Apply - Transfer Students

Please review the information below for instructions and deadlines for applying to Chapman University. If you are ready to apply, you can start by completing and submitting The Common Application and Chapman University Questions.

You can find more information about transferring to Chapman, including program-specific prerequisites, on our Transferring to Chapman page.

Transfer Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 Deadline

The spring application is open! Applications are due by October 15, 2024. Applications received after October 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Please note that spring applications are not available for majors in Dance, Film & Television Production, Screen Acting and Theatre Performance.

Fall 2025 Deadline

The fall application will open in November 2024. Applications are due (postmarked) by February 15, 2025. Applications received after February 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Application Steps and Requirements

We encourage scheduling a one-on-one meeting with an admission counselor before applying. We'll review your coursework and plan your pathway to transfer. You can schedule a phone appointment by calling our office at (714) 997-6711.

Follow the steps below. Please only submit the University’s required documents.

Step 1: Start The Common App for transfer students and add Chapman University as a college within the app. Fill out both parts and submit your application.

• Chapman University Questions are submitted along with your Common App. You can learn more on our Application Tips page .
• Chapman does not require all Common App forms at the point of application. The College Report Form, Secondary School Final Report and the Mid-Term Report are not required unless requested after an initial review of your application.

Step 2: Submit letter(s) of recommendation

• Chapman requires one transfer letter of recommendation from all applicants. The recommendation can be from an academic, personal or professional resource.
• There is a Recommenders section within the Common Application that requires that you register your recommender as your “personal recommender” in this section. Regardless of how your recommender will be submitting their letter, you must register your recommender in this way. Once you have a personal recommender registered within the Common App recommenders section, the recommender can then submit their letter one of three ways:
  • Once registered within Common App, the Common App will email your recommender a link for them to then upload their letter to your application,
  • Your recommender can choose to mail in their letter on your behalf to: Chapman University Attn. Office of Admission, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866. (Please be sure the first and last name of the applicant is in the body of the rec letter.)
  • Your recommender can email their letter to transfers@chapman.edu. We can add it to your file as long as the first and last name of the recommender is in the body of the rec letter

  Step 3: Pay application fee or submit a Fee Waiver Request

  • You must submit the $70 non-refundable application fee via the Common Application or select the fee waiver option if you meet the Common Application fee-waiver guidelines.
    • If you selected a fee waiver option that requires a supporting statement of economic need, your college counselor must approve your fee waiver request. They can submit their statement online or submit a form (with your Common Application ID number) by mail or via email to transfers@chapman.edu . We require fee waiver approval prior to the review of your application.

    Step 4: Submit official college transcripts

    • You must submit individual transcripts from all 2- and 4-year colleges you have attended or are currently attending. These will show any work completed and/or currently in progress.
      • Fall applicants: please wait to submit your official college transcripts until your final fall grades are posted after your winter break.

      Step 5: Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable)

      You must submit proof of high school graduation through one of the following: a final high school transcript, GED or State Proficiency Exam score report. This documentation must be official for Chapman to accept it. This only applies to transfer applicants who have less than 60 semester units or 90 quarter units completed at the time the application is submitted.

      • If you need to submit final high school transcript, you should contact your former high school directly. A high school official can then email the transcript(s) to Chapman at admtranscript@chapman.edu. The email must come directly from someone that works at the high school. Applicants cannot mail their high school transcript directly to Chapman.
      • Transcripts can also be sent through the mail (must be in a sealed high school envelope). Those can go to: Chapman University Attn. Office of Admission, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866. You can also mail in your own transcripts but they must be official/sealed in the high school envelope.
      • High school transcripts cannot be submitted through the Common Application.
      • Applicants utilizing a GED or a State Proficiency Exam to show proof of high school graduation should work directly with the Transfer Team (transfers@chapman.edu). They will assist you on how to order and have sent official score reports in lieu of a final high school transcript.

      Step 6: Submit AP and/or IB test scores (if applicable)

      Submit AP and/or IB test scores if you completed these exams in high school. Many times these previous scores can potentially be used towards college credit, either in your major or within general education at Chapman. You can use the following webpages to determine if you should send in your scores:

      • Advanced Placement Equivalencies
      • International Baccalaureate Equivalencies

      Step 7: Submit official college transcripts for any dual college enrollment you might have done while in high school (if applicable)

      Step 8: Submit Creative Supplement (if applicable)

      Applicants to academic majors within the colleges/departments below must also submit a Creative Supplement:

      • College of Performing Arts
      • Department of Art (except Art History)
      • Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

      You can only submit your Creative Supplement after submitting your Common Application. Visit our Creative Supplement page for more information.

      Additionally, if you are considering transfering into a program that requires a Creative Supplement, we recommend you review our Tips for Transferring into Talent Programs page.

      Step 9: Submit additional reports requested by Admission Committee (if applicable)

      A College Officials Report and/or Mid-Term Report may be requested of certain applicants. Read more about these on our Transfer Reports page.

      Step 10: Submit your FAFSA (if applying for financial aid)

      If you plan on applying for need-based financial aid, then you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Chapman's code for the FAFSA is 001164.

      Toggle Section

      Additional Steps for International Transfer Applicants

      All international applicants must submit an International Supplement Form. This form is available after submitting your application. You can access it in your Application Status Page.

      Instructions for international students currently studying in the United States:

      • Plan to take a transferable math course before submitting your application to Chapman University.
      • To demonstrate English proficiency, you must have completed a transferable English course in a traditional classroom setting. Online English classes will not be accepted. The TOEFL/IELTS is only required of an international student who is not studying in the U.S.

      Instructions for international students currently studying outside the United States:

      • Keep all course descriptions and syllabi
      • For non-native English speakers, proof of English proficiency is required in one of the following ways:
        • Minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT (with balanced sub scores)
        • Minimum IELTS score of a 6.5 (with balanced sub scores)
        • Minimum Duolingo English Test score of 115

        Chapman’s Testing Code for the TOEFL is 4047.

        More information for international applicants is available on our International Students webpage.

        Financing Your Education

        Please visit our Financing page for more information on applying for financial aid and financing your Chapman education.

        How We Can Help

        We are happy to help as you consider Chapman and work on your application:

        • Virtually meet with a Transfer Team member. We encourage scheduling a one-on-one meeting with an admission counselor. We'll review your completed coursework and plan your pathway to transfer. You can schedule an appointment here.
        • Attend an In-person Transfer Information Session. A Transfer Admission Counselor will walk you through the admission process. If you can't come to campus, you can attend a Virtual Transfer Information Session.
        • Meet us at a Transfer College Fair. View the schedule of upcoming transfer fairs that Chapman will be attending.

        Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, religion, military status, or veteran’s status in its admissions policies or administration of its educational programs, including scholarship and loan programs, under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

        Questions, concerns, or complaints may be directed to Colleen Wood, Title IX Coordinator at titleix@chapman.edu, phone (714) 997-6721, Argyros Forum Room 101, or to the Director, US Department of Education, Washington, DC, 20201.

        Note: any questions relating to the admission process should be sent to admit@chapman.edu

        • Transferring to Chapman
        • Transfer Application
        • Transferology
        • Transfer FAQs
        • Transfer Prerequisites
        • Tips for Talent Programs

        Contact the Transfer Team

        Call: (714) 997-6711

        Text: (714) 627-4402

        Send your documents:
        Chapman University
        Attn: Office of Admission
        One University Drive
        Orange, CA 92866

        Transfer Applicant Guide

        brochure with a female student in graduation regalia" width="150" height="200" />

        Download our Transfer Applicant Guide (PDF) for an in-depth look at transferring to Chapman and a worksheet to help you navigate the application process.

        Follow us on social media

        Follow us on social media for tips, news and updates about applying to Chapman University: