Temple University?

[spima3]

Anyone have kids who go here?

DS actually qualifies for the full tuition scholarship, and I like that it is a manageable drive for us. If he wanted to come home for breaks or holidays, it would be easy for him to do. We go next month for an open house. He plans on taking computer engineering/electrical engineering. Maybe computer science. He hasn't decided yet.

He has heard the stories about the safety of the campus and the rough neighborhood where it is located, yet, I have talked to a few people and they know kids who are there and love the school.


So anyone have experiences with Temple? Good or bad? He is going to need at least a full tuition in order to attend college. Temple is one of the few we have found. TIA

 

[DopeyDame]

My dad went there, but that was way back in the dark ages. My sister has two friends who graduated a few years ago. Nothing but great things to say. It's not in the best area, but it's getting better. Be smart and take the same precautions you would in any major city. I think the staff and faculty take the safety of their students very seriously.

 

[CMA21]

I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, and know plenty of other kids who attended Temple. Temple is a great school, and although it's not in the nicest of areas that shouldn't be the main reason to not attend. Philly is constantly trying to make improvements to their city schools and the areas around them. The main thing is to just understand the parts of the city where to go and where not to and just always be aware of your surroundings. I was nervous about going to a school in the city, but if you have a good head on your shoulders with common sense and stay near campus where they have security than more likely than not he'll be fine.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

First, congratulations on qualifying for the scholarship!

We have a daughter who is a Freshman this year. She's in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, so I have no information on the engineering/computer sciences department.

Yes, the neighborhood is seedy, but if you stay on campus, you are fine. If you walk around after dark, go in a group. These are the things we tell our daughter. Safety is very important to the staff: there are guards on staff at the dorms and there is security that travels around the campus on mountain bikes.

It is in the middle of the northern part of Philly. Students can take the Broad Street subway line (and can transfer to other lines) or regional rail to travel to other parts of the city. Quite a few students who live in the Northeast will take the regional rail to Lansdale, Colmar, or Doylestown and get picked up by parents there:

http://www.septa.org/stations/rail/temple.html
http://www.septa.org/service/bsl/

Note that the union is currently talking about a strike.


The business office seems slow when it comes to processing loans, but that doesn't sound like a problem you'll have. Our daughter also had an issue where her 100-level English class didn't have a professor assigned until the second class (oops!).

One of this things I like about the school is their Living Learning Communities. I'm not sure if this is unique to Temple (I didn't have one in my school), but students studying certain majors are able to live together in a residence community (a floor in a dorm). For example, music students have practice rooms on their floor.

http://housing.temple.edu/campus-living/living-learning-communities

There is an LLC for engineering:
http://housing.temple.edu/campus-living/living-learning-communities/programs/engineering



As for other stuff I know:

Founded in 1884.

Has a student population of around 38,000 (28,000 undergraduates).

Has campuses in Philly (main campus), Ambler, Fort Washington, Harrisburg, Tokyo, Rome, London, and Singapore.

School colors are Cherry and White.

Nickname is the Owls. Hooter the Owl is the mascot. Stella (an actual owl) is the live mascot.

Lots of famous alumni. The most famous is probably Bill Cosby. He is known to show up to some school-wide events (he was at this year's convocation).

Temple is a pretty well known school when it comes to medicine.

Their marching band was in The Wolf of Wall Street, will be in the new version of Annie, and went viral this year when they covered Paramore's "Ain't it Fun".

The basketball team is good, and does make the NCAA playoffs on occasion. As of the start of the 2012 season, they were ranked 6th in All-Time NCAA wins.

The football team is... well... not as good. They were only ever ranked once (#17 in 1979), and they've been to four bowl games. although there are some alumni you might have heard of (Pop Warner, Bruce Arians, Todd Bowls). The football team plays at the Eagles home stadium.

 

[czycropper]

Following.

My DD who's a Junior is looking into Temple. We're actually going to their Open House a week from Saturday. A dance friend of hers goes there an absolutely loves it but I also have the safety concern.

This past weekend we went to an Open House at LaSalle U. and she didn't like but absolutely loved UPenn when we drove through it (we already told her that it's hard to get in )

 

[spima3]

First, congratulations on qualifying the scholarship!

We have a daughter who is a Freshman this year. She's in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, so I have no information on the engineering/computer sciences department.

Yes, the neighborhood is seedy, but if you stay on campus, you are fine. If you walk around after dark, go in a group. These are the things we tell our daughter. Safety is very important to the staff: there are guards on staff at the dorms and there is security that travels around the campus on mountain bikes.

I keep hearing this, seems reasonable.

The business office seems slow when it comes to processing loans, but that doesn't sound like a problem you'll have. Our daughter also had an issue where her 100-level English class didn't have a professor assigned until the second class (oops!).

Well, even with full tuition, we still need to pay for the rest, and he will be taking out loans, so it is good to know this might be an issue.

One of this things I like about the school is their Living Learning Communities. I'm not sure if this is unique to Temple (I didn't have one in my school), but students studying certain majors are able to live together in a residence community (a floor in a dorm). For example, music students have practice rooms on their floor.

Yes, this looks fabulous. DS would probably be in the Honors Dorm which seems to be really nice. With so many students, having the smaller community would be very helpful.

He didn't want to attend a really large school, but so far we are looking at UA and Temple, both large schools. But we are chasing the money, so these communities look like a good way to make that large campus a little easier to deal with.

Hope your DD does well and enjoys her time there.

 

[kmb584]

First, congratulations on qualifying the scholarship!

We have a daughter who is a Freshman this year. She's in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, so I have no information on the engineering/computer sciences department.

Yes, the neighborhood is seedy, but if you stay on campus, you are fine. If you walk around after dark, go in a group. These are the things we tell our daughter. Safety is very important to the staff: there are guards on staff at the dorms and there is security that travels around the campus on mountain bikes.

I definitely agree. While I didn't go to Temple, a solid 1/2 of my graduating class ('02) did and they've all had nothing but great things to say about the school. When I was home on breaks I'd go down to visit and yes, the neighborhood isn't great, but the security is top notch. I wouldn't roam around at night alone but always felt safe when with a group of friends.

 

[AMW86]

I went to Temple for grad school. I didn't live on campus, but I never felt unsafe. You occasionally hear about Temple students getting robbed, but most of these incidents happen off campus with students who live in the neighborhood rather than in the dorms. I would definitely encourage your son to live in campus housing throughout college. They have built beautiful new dorms in the past few years. As some have already said, Temple is right on the Broad Street line, so there is quick access to downtown Philadelphia for entertainment, restaurants, internships, etc. Temple takes student safety very seriously. They have the largest university police force in the country and the third largest police force in the state of Pennsylvania (only beat by the Philadelphia PD and the Pittsburgh PD). As long as he is smart and aware of his surroundings, he should be fine

 

[pookybean]

I just graduated from Temple in 2013. I didn't live on campus (adult learner here!) but would either park around campus or take septa. I always felt safe on campus, even in the evenings leaving class. There are always lots of security guards around on bikes, walking, driving and at every building entry way. As everyone else said most of the crime happens to students who live a few blocks off campus. The new dorms are gorgeous, why wouldn't he want to stay there? I wish I could have...lol

As with any city neighborhood just be safe. Travel with a group at night and stay alert. Bad things can happen anywhere..

I thought the financial aid office was very helpful and I had my loans/grants applied very quickly. The only issue I had was in my final year when I ran out of money. The reps were very nonchalant and wouldnt give me any other options. i ended up speaking to the supervisor and lo and behold there was another loan that i did qualify for and that saw me through the end of school.

I went to Temple because it was convenient and had the program I wanted. Looking back I don't think I would do anything differently. I got a great education there and met many different people I may not have met otherwise. The diversity of the student body was probably my favorite aspect.

Good luck!

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

I just graduated from Temple in 2013. I didn't live on campus (adult learner here!) but would either park around campus or take septa. I always felt safe on campus, even in the evenings leaving class. There are always lots of security guards around on bikes, walking, driving and at every building entry way. As everyone else said most of the crime happens to students who live a few blocks off campus. The new dorms are gorgeous, why wouldn't he want to stay there? I wish I could have...lol

As with any city neighborhood just be safe. Travel with a group at night and stay alert. Bad things can happen anywhere..

I thought the financial aid office was very helpful and I had my loans/grants applied very quickly. The only issue I had was in my final year when I ran out of money. The reps were very nonchalant and wouldnt give me any other options. i ended up speaking to the supervisor and lo and behold there was another loan that i did qualify for and that saw me through the end of school.

I went to Temple because it was convenient and had the program I wanted. Looking back I don't think I would do anything differently. I got a great education there and met many different people I may not have met otherwise. The diversity of the student body was probably my favorite aspect.

Good luck!

Props to you for hanging in there and finishing!! Can I ask what you went for?

 

[Vernie822]

I did not go to Temple, but I have a brother at Pitt and a sister at Penn State main. Both are studying engineering and have had great things to say about the programs at their schools! Not sure how scholarships work there, though. My sister received a full scholarship for committing to the Air Force ROTC program (they paid her tuition, she commits for 4 years after college, which is what she has always wanted to do).

I also attended Robert Morris - not sure how far that is from you. Medium sized private school near the Pittsburgh airport. I studied actuarial science, but they did have a good engineering/computer science program as well. Since it's private, they give out a TON of scholarships. I graduated with only $15,000 in loans and that was basically from room/board costs. The campus is beautiful, and very safe!

 

[Pigeon]

My niece graduated a few years ago with a degree in Hospitality Management. She liked the area, although you do need to be careful. She had great faculty who were very involved with students and who have good professional contacts. One of her professors recommended her for her first hotel job, and she graduated with a job all lined up.

 

[Mkrop]

Would not allow my kid to go there even with a full ride. Not in North Philly. And I went to college in the 80s/90s in West Philly and frequently traveled down to Drexel for parties, so I did experience college in an urban setting.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I have a hunch that old information and stereotypes are coloring some judgements . . . "CollegeFactual" rates Temple as less dangerous than it's Big 5 rivals LaSalle, St. Joe's, Philly's own Ivy - Penn, and Drexel too.

 

[eliza61]

Would not allow my kid to go there even with a full ride. Not in North Philly. And I went to college in the 80s/90s in West Philly and frequently traveled down to Drexel for parties, so I did experience college in an urban setting.

Girl, soooo much has changed.

Op, I did not go to temple, nor do my kids but we live uber close.
16th and green street. which is almost down the block from Temple. Now my neighborhood is actually considered Fairmont but I'm one block off of broad.

We are around the temple area all the time, primarily because there are a lot of cheap eateries that are great and low cost because they cater to students. We also go to shows at the Liacouras center, which is Temples arena.

Listen, it's a university in a major city. I went to the University of Pittsburgh and there were areas around Oakland where PItt was located that I stayed away from.

I grew up in Harlem which is home to Columbia University. one of the nations top ivy league schools. The bottom line is these schools are in major cities so use the common safety precautions that you would use in any major city. Would I walk around Broad and Cecil B moore at 2 am in the morning by myself? uhmm no but I would do that in Rittenhouse square or old city or center city.


What's funny is that Temple has less crime than University of Penn which is in a supposedly "nice" area.

Hey look at it like this, I haven't heard of any mass shootings on temples campus.

 

[spima3]

I did not go to Temple, but I have a brother at Pitt and a sister at Penn State main. Both are studying engineering and have had great things to say about the programs at their schools! Not sure how scholarships work there, though. My sister received a full scholarship for committing to the Air Force ROTC program (they paid her tuition, she commits for 4 years after college, which is what she has always wanted to do).

I also attended Robert Morris - not sure how far that is from you. Medium sized private school near the Pittsburgh airport. I studied actuarial science, but they did have a good engineering/computer science program as well. Since it's private, they give out a TON of scholarships. I graduated with only $15,000 in loans and that was basically from room/board costs. The campus is beautiful, and very safe!

Pitt & Penn State are on our list but are expensive, and aren't known for great aid. On our list, but we don't have high expectations.

Good scholarships aren't much help if they don't cover enough to make it affordable, however, we will look at Robert Morris, so thanks for that.

 

[spima3]

I just graduated from Temple in 2013. I didn't live on campus (adult learner here!) but would either park around campus or take septa. I always felt safe on campus, even in the evenings leaving class. There are always lots of security guards around on bikes, walking, driving and at every building entry way. As everyone else said most of the crime happens to students who live a few blocks off campus. The new dorms are gorgeous, why wouldn't he want to stay there? I wish I could have...lol

As with any city neighborhood just be safe. Travel with a group at night and stay alert. Bad things can happen anywhere..

Well, this is very good to hear. AND, I am hoping he gets into the Honors dorm, and just stay there all 4 years.

With the full tuition, it would be manageable. And I say pictures, they ARE nice!

 

[Ismo]

I went to school in Philly on a full ride as well, which was the only reason my parents allowed it. My older brother also went to school in Philly and he taught me the ins and outs. I had a lot of friends at Temple and visited the campus often.

Philly is a great city culturally. Old City is beautiful and full of history. Philly is also up and coming in the restaurant industry and I prefer going to dinner there over NYC.

The area surrounding Temple is not the safest unfortunately. My brother always said that Philadelphia has the largest police force in PA. And do you know what the second largest force is? Temple's Campus Police.

Not saying that your son wouldn't be safe but he's going to face the same risks as he would going to school in the center of any city.

A lot of his safety will rely on his own choices while at school. I look back to my freshman year, which was over 10 years ago now, and I want to kick myself for being so naive. My friends and I are very lucky nothing seriously bad ever happened to us considering how careless we were then. We walked around the campus and surrounding city by ourselves late at night...a lot of time with headphones. If anyone would have told me to stop doing that back then I would have shrugged it off. After all, like most 18 year olds, I was a know-it-all living "life on my own" for the first time.

I think it's very important that he understands the dangers that surround him. He needs to appreciate that they are real and not shrug them off the way I did. He'll need to learn how to be "street smart" for lack of a better term. Make sure he knows the areas of the city to avoid. The campus itself is pretty safe and secure.

I think if he makes good choices and stays aware of his surroundings he will be fine. He should also always try to go out with a group of friends rather than on his own if he is going to go out at night. I'm sure Temple, like my college did, will make the students very aware of ways they can keep themselves safe. I'm pretty sure Temple also has the emergency notification stations dotted around the campus. If you ever feel in danger you just go to one and press the button and Campus police will show up and escort you where you need to go.

Sorry if I'm rambling. Philadelphia is a great city and a great place to go to college overall. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I only wish I took my safety more seriously back then. So I try to pass that knowledge on where I can.

And congratulations to your son!

 

[Vernie822]

Something else to add.. When I was applying for scholarships, I had already taken the SATs. I took them again to try and boost my score for one university's scholarship requirements. In speaking with financial aid at a different university (they had already presented me a financial aid package), I mentioned that I had taken the SATs again. They asked me my score, and upped my scholarship to reflect my improved score. Not sure if that's an option for your son, but something to keep in mind! Definitely let any schools know, sometimes they have scholarship guidelines and if your score falls in that range they can bump up your aid.

 

[Mkrop]

Girl, soooo much has changed.

Op, I did not go to temple, nor do my kids but we live uber close.
16th and green street. which is almost down the block from Temple. Now my neighborhood is actually considered Fairmont but I'm one block off of broad.

We are around the temple area all the time, primarily because there are a lot of cheap eateries that are great and low cost because they cater to students. We also go to shows at the Liacouras center, which is Temples arena.

Listen, it's a university in a major city. I went to the University of Pittsburgh and there were areas around Oakland where PItt was located that I stayed away from.

I grew up in Harlem which is home to Columbia University. one of the nations top ivy league schools. The bottom line is these schools are in major cities so use the common safety precautions that you would use in any major city. Would I walk around Broad and Cecil B moore at 2 am in the morning by myself? uhmm no but I would do that in Rittenhouse square or old city or center city.


What's funny is that Temple has less crime than University of Penn which is in a supposedly "nice" area.

Hey look at it like this, I haven't heard of any mass shootings on temples campus.

Both DH and I are familiar with the area as it is today, and we would still not send our sons to Temple.

My point was that even though I went to a sort of urban school, St Joe's, I would not send my child to North Philly.

There doesnt need to be a mass shooting there to hear the other crime stories on the local news each night.

OP was asking for opinions, I thought, I gave mine.