Temple University

I haven't been at Temple for very long, I just wanted to post one piece of advice. Don't live on campus! North Philly, regardless of the perceived danger level (white college kids are scared of the ghetto as a rule), is just a boring place to live. The amenities are shit, there is nowhere to eat that isn't trash food, and it's not conveniently located to any more interesting parts of the city. By living just a mile south, you'll be on the edge of center city with cheap rent, proximity to nightlife, good restaurants, theaters, and sweet music venues.

As for the faculty, they all seem very knowledgable about their fields, but unfortunately Temple tends to assign professors courses that have absolutely nothing to do with their area of expertise. My psych professor is a social worker with no knowledge of psychology and my World Religions professor is only familiar with Judaism and Christianity - she had to cite wikipedia in her lecture notes and reads them verbatim during lectures on any eastern religion. Make liberal use of Ratemyprofessor.com and you'll be fine. Also! fun and incredibly useful fact: i had only been living in Philadelphia for 6 months and had not declared residency when I applied, but because I applied from a Pennsylvania address, I got in-state tuition. I'm not sure if this was a fluke or a legitimate flaw in their system, but it certainly worked out for me. 64,000 dollars less, yes!

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Surrounding City: A+, University Resource Use/ spending: C

I chose Temple because I could afford it. Temple has a pretty good academic program. The social aspect of Temple is intersting. Since it is located in the ghetto only recently have people begun moving into the area surrounding campus and a "night life" is begining to form. Give Temple 10 years and it'll be mad cool.

Temple has a problem with bueracracy strangling student sponsored events/activities on campus. I serve with a student organization and if you want to be active on campus the university makes it very difficult for you to do so.

Also, everyday bueracractic problems are annoying. I was perfusely bleeding one time and went to the health center where they proceeded to ask me if I wanted an appointment for adivice on the blood spewing from my toe. In my anger I walked 5 blocks to Rite Aid and bled the whole way there rather than put up with their BS.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2007

Collaboration/Competitive: B, Individual Value: D-

Absolutely the worst academics ever. Good teachers are few and far between. My law professor teaches a hard class but has only showed up 4 times throughout the entire semester so we are forced to fend for ourselves. The surrounding areas are awful and after a year the parties are really lame (always the same). I've tried joining multiple clubs but it's impossible to find where they meet and the times. The advising department (at least in SCT) is absolutely terrible. They aren't helpful and for walk-in advising, you have to wait hours and if you want to schedule an appointment you have to do it months in advance. On top of that, the surrounding area is absolutely awful. I know many people who have been mugged at gun point, one girl got choked in the subway station until she passed out and was then robbed, my phone got stolen, etc. It's not fun when you feel like you can't walk around by yourself ever. Thankfully, I'm transferring and if I were you, I wouldn't bother applying. Unless this all sounds good to you, of course.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: B+, Collaboration/Competitive: F