Chapman University

CA · Private · Pacific

Acceptance rate: 21% (2,514 applicants)
Median LSAT: 163 (middle 50%: 156–164)
Median GPA: 3.70 (middle 50%: 3.32–3.82)
Tuition: $63,126 (per year)
Bar passage: 80.3% (-2.3 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Early decision binding: Nov. 30, 2026
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration: April 15, 2027
Final deadline: July 15, 2027

Essays

Personal statement (Up to 3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font)

The personal statement must be no more than three pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font, and double-spaced.

GPA or LSAT addendum (No set limit)

Applicants are encouraged to submit GPA addenda if there are unusual trends in grades, multiple withdrawals from courses or any other circumstances that benefit from additional explanation.

Academic dismissal statement (No set limit)

If you have been academically disqualified from another law school, please attach a statement with your electronic application completely explaining the circumstances. Also explain why you believe you possess the requisite ability to complete the course of study at Fowler School of Law by the nature of interim work, activity or studies indicating a stronger potential for law study.

Editor's notes

Get the file in by April 15 at the latest. That's Chapman's priority date for scholarship consideration, and merit money here is set at admission from your GPA and LSAT. The July 15 final deadline is for seats, not for the best offer.
Read the scholarship terms before you celebrate. Awards need a 2.90 GPA each spring to renew, and of 131 students who entered in fall 2025 with conditional scholarships, 50 have already had them reduced or eliminated. Ask yourself where a 2.90 is likely to put you in a curved class.
Early decision is binding, with a Nov. 30 deadline and December decisions. Use it only if Chapman is clearly your first choice and you don't need to compare aid offers.
The personal statement has no prompt and a three-page cap. The FAQ says the committee pays particular attention to your writing, including the LSAT Writing sample. Proofread all three pieces as if they're graded, because they are.