Do any Chapman students live in LA?

[Pt2013]

I was accepted to Chapman University in Orange, but I currently live in LA.
1. I wonder if anyone lives in LA and commutes? If not, where do the majority of students live? I would like to live somewhere in between LA and Orange since my girlfriend works in the valley and would have to commute as well.

2. Is it imperitive that you live close to the program for after class study groups, off hours anatomy lab work, etc.?

3. Any general thoughts about Chapman and Mount Saint Marys, I am really trying to decide between these two programs?

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[DHJunkie]

Congratulations on your acceptance to Chapman! I didn't apply to the program but I have friends that went to school there. It's centrally located in OC, near all the main freeways (5,55, 22, and 57), so you've got the options of living nearby in Orange or a little further away in say Tustin or Irvine. My ex used to commute from Newport, which actually wasn't bad because she used to just drive up the 55.

In response to your question about Mt. St. Marys and Chapman. My friend/boss I work for lectures at both schools from time-to-time, and is close to a lot of the faculty members. Most of the aides (with the exception of myself) that have worked in our clinic have gone on to either one of the schools, and have become successful PTs. In her opinion, both programs are second to none in training clinicians. For Chapman, the facilities and resources are supposedly great. From a personal standpoint, I have been treated in the past by recent grads from both programs, and was very impressed with their knowledge and techniques.

You're lucky to have two great choices in programs. Post your final decision when it's made!🙂

 

[Pt2013]

Thanks very much for your reply, I wonder if anyone actually lives in LA and commutes down to the OC. I am sure it would not be pretty at times, but it is reverse commute in the morning and night.

Right now the main sticking point for Mt Saint Marys is the fact that they used the plasticized cadavers (I want to do my own dissections) and the fact that Chapmans facilities are better. On the other hand I really liked the vibe I got when visiting the Mt Saint Marys program, the staff all seemed to genuinely care and the students all seemed to buy in.

 

[oschrndz]

Congratulations on your acceptance!
I am still waiting to hear from Chapman but at this point of the race, I think I am doomed with this school.
I'm in the same situation as you with another school that will result in an hour drive if I decide to commute. I had a 1-hour commute while I was completing my undergrad and it can be physically and mentally draining. Have you thought about living close to campus for maybe the first year? I have heard from many PTs that the first year is the most rigorous. Where you are spending many hours on campus after your classes. I might be doing just that - live close to campus the first year and after that if I feel like is feasible for me I will commute the remaining two years.

 

[Pt2013]

That is a great idea.....

I spoke with the program the other day and I believe they are still looking at the last apps/admitting people so you never know. Good Luck

Driving in socal is so horrendous I might commute on the train since there is a station right next to campus. The program actually is right along the tracks and you can here the train go by every hour or so, it seems like it would be a good distraction from those 4 hour lectures

 

[crockdub]

I would live closer if I were you. I live in LA and used to go to Chapman area a lot, it can be a 90 minute one-way drive depending on what time of day you are driving.

 

[Pt2013]

where would you reccomend, we've been throwing around the following:

1. around downtown like silverlake or los feliz
2. hawthorne
3. commerce

basically we need to be close-ish to LA as well since my girlfriend works up there....

 

[crockdub]

Have you looked into the San Gabriel Valley? Maybe farther in mileage but slightly less in commute time. Thats where I was looking into when I had to make the commute. Arcadia was kinda a midpoint. Commerce is bad because 2 major freeways intersect nearby. Although Silver Lake/Los Feliz are fun spots with stuff to do within walking distance.

 

[oschrndz]

I live in Glendale (San Gabriel Valley) and I commuted to CSULB for my undergrad. You really want to stay away from the 5fwy - trust me. Maybe you and your girlfriend can agree in moving to a city that is at midpoint. That way both will commute the same distance. I would say cities like Montebello, where you have the option of getting the 605fwy to 5fwy or even the 60fwy to 57fwy. Another city you can consider is Downey/Paramount area.

 

[Pt2013]

What about taking the train?

The only problem I see is that the train going to OC in the morning is in the opposite direction of commuters so there are less trains going in my directions in the morning and also in the evening. It looks like the last train leaving Orange might be around 5 PM which would probably be too early most nights.

 

[Pt2013]

Is anyone else going to live in or around LA that is going to Chapman??

 

[pliang]

i would reccommend moving closer, since school will be in session from 8-5.