Temple University

When I finally started attending classes, the university began to reveal itself in ways I hadn't quite taken notice of at orientation. Temple contains nearly every race under the sun, but it's heavily segregated, particularly amongst Asian and Southern Asian (i.e. Indian, Pakistani, etc.) students. This is doubly troubling for me as I am Indian, yet feel a huge disconnect with Indian students here. Cliquey, exclusive -whatever you want to call it, it's not ideal.

Though most are pretty open, some clubs and groups on campus are similarly afflicted. As a journalism student, I have to get "clips" by writing for The Temple News, but those in charge seem perplexed when someone not already on the paper wants to write for them. (It doesn't help that the paper is lackluster, and just a step above tabloid status since it's mostly living and entertainment-oriented) You never hear about most clubs, and meeting times and locations often change. Many of them are hard to participate in as a commuter, as it seems you need to stay on campus until later in the evening, when most meet. If you have a job, it's even harder.

Also, Temple is no longer a commuting school. With the erection of Morgan Hall (a questionable use of Temple funds at this time), the university is striking out for "big campus" status. (NOTE: IF YOU'RE A COMMUTER, PREPARE FOR NO SOCIAL LIFE. It's pretty hard to make friends if you're not on campus all the time.) The campus isn't terribly attractive, though it's not fractured like Drexel's nor a nonentity like CCP's. Room/board rates are ridiculous, and your only real financially-savvy option is to room with a bunch of other people well off campus; sometimes renting a house can be cheaper and a better option than Temple's on-campus housing. Most of the places open to students off-campus, however, are hardly more than glorified tenement houses. If there is a "revitalization" going on in North Philadelphia, I have yet to see it. It's still a pretty scuzzy, dodgy place.

As regards academics, they're not the most rigorous. This is made worse by the compulsory GenEd requirements, which are often in arcane and not terribly applicable areas and cut into your major requirements. The average Temple student isn't terribly bright, and the idiotic YOLO-party mentality is pungent in the air. There's a lot of people enrolled in STEM majors who really just have no aptitude for them, but are fueled by the recession-myth of greater employability and, quite simply, more money. The recent consolidation of CLA and Presser/Tyler School of Art is somewhat troubling. Still, I've yet to have a problem with any of my professors (most are adequate -which is no fault- though some really are good), and advising has always gone pretty smoothly. The journalism program is pretty top-notch and New Media-oriented.In sum, Temple's alright academically but shit socially. It's depressing but I'm trying to make the best of it, as transferring anywhere else isn't really an option financially-speaking.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2015

Useful Schoolwork: A, University Resource Use/ spending: D-

I transferred to Temple University from West Chester University of PA in order to gain experience working with children in an urban environment. Overall, my experience was negative due to extreme problems with administration. The student population and professors were the only redeeming factors of this school. When I transferred, Temple administrators gave me a lot of trouble with course reciprocity from West Chester, even when the course titles were identical or nearly identical. I eventually was able to get a few additional courses transferred through a meeting with the Dean of Education, but ultimately I lost over 30 credits which is more than a year of work. I still believe that they simply wanted me to pay them $$$ for tuition and that was the ONLY reason my courses were not transferred.

Once I was admitted and started my classes, I did enjoy the course quality and student population. I found work easily working with students in an urban setting, and my experiences with that work are quite frankly what set me up for success in the teaching field. The information you get in class is helpful, but not always practical. There should be more field experience for education majors!

I personally felt as well that Temple requires too many "core classes"...it was a waste of time and money. I was often thinking why I needed to take classes that had no relation to what my professional and personal goals were...but that is pretty standard for most schools, so take it at face value I guess.

Ultimately, as I stated above, administrative errors were what made my time at Temple regrettable. Advising is the WORST problem at Temple, at least in the College of Education. You get whichever advisor is available, and they are incredibly disorganized because of the huge work load that is placed on each advisor (at the time of my attendance, there were only TWO advisors in the College of Education). Each time I had to explain which classes I had taken, and when I was getting near my student teaching experience I was told I only needed one more class. Once I finished that class, I was told I NEEDED ANOTHER CLASS. Advisors are supposed to support and guide you, but instead they let me down. The school wanted me to take another semester for the additional class, but I fought it hard because I was already delayed in graduating. Eventually they agreed to let me take it while student teaching...it was a challenge but at least I am done now.

Prior to that headache of an experience, another advisor told me I could take my last methods the summer after student teaching. I scheduled everything around that, until I was later told that it was NOT an option. Her error cost me a YEAR of my time as I had to restructure my entire course load. What's worse is that Temple told me I was "lying" about the fact that my advisor ever told me that this was an option, and wanted me to "prove" a verbal discussion that was held privately. Talk about demeaning the people (students) who are providing YOUR paycheck!

Luckily, I am very self-supporting and I was able to fight and "deal with" the ill advice and incorrect information provided by Temple. There are other instances I could discuss here but I believe what I have written gives you the picture.

Interestingly enough, whenever you owe Temple tuition they are RIGHT on top of it...perhaps that is the only area they are competent in with administration and staff aside from professors...asking and reminding you regarding your owed tuition. However, if you are relying on student loans...good luck! Even to get into the student loan department in the beginning of a semester is a challenge, let alone getting the staff there to appropriately and adequately handle your loans.

Maybe other majors do not have such problems, but think carefully about attending Temple. It is a huge school with many staff and administrative problems, however, it is in an urban setting which provides many wonderful opportunities for culture and socialization, and the professors/student body are pretty wonderful as a whole (at least in the College of Education).

As a side note, I did not live on campus during my time at Temple (I was a non-traditional married student) but I have heard that housing is pretty terrible and you can only live "on-campus" until your Junior year. I believe that will be changing soon, which would be good because apartments in that area are horrendously expensive and not exactly safe due to the geographic location of Temple (North Philadelphia).

Please note that this review is for MAIN campus...I also attended Ambler (I had to because of advising and scheduling problems) and I believe Ambler does not have nearly as many problems with staff and administration as main campus!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

I find the student body to generally be unfriendly and stuck up. They are either rude or miserable. The campus and surrounding area are completely disgusting. Philadelphia is a god awful city.

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Collaboration/Competitive: B, Individual Value: F