How is Temple University these days?

[Anonymous]

So, DS applied early action and got offered a nice scholarship to Temple. He visited a few months ago and liked it. He thought there was a good energy, friendly, lots of academic and other opportunities, lots of school spirit, and kids that were happy to be there and working hard. And he liked its location in a big city.

We are in NOVA and DS probably does not have the grades to get into UVA or William & Mary, so other in-state choices would be James Madison, VCU, Va Tech (maybe), etc.

But with the scholarship, Temple would be about the same cost, or even a bit less expensive, than in-state options.

My sense is that Temple is not perfect, but is getting better - it is less of a "commuter school", the neighborhood around the school is improving, the school is growing, and the caliber of student is getting better. And for kids who are ready to take advantage (I think DS is ready) there are opportunities that are on par with any "elite" school.

I am curious about the DCUM view of Temple, and how it compares to other public schools in VA or elsewhere.

Please share your thoughts.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I'd be a bit worried about the neighborhood. I recall there were students beaten by a mob last year.....it was pretty scary to watch the footage on the news.

[Anonymous]

They have their first-ever Rhodes Scholar this year. They're putting a ton of $ into merit aid for good students. I think they're on the right track.

[Anonymous]

I agree with poster #2, I don't like the neighborhood. But you've been there and seen it. If you are comfortable with it, great. I think the rest of your assessment is accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be a bit worried about the neighborhood. I recall there were students beaten by a mob last year.....it was pretty scary to watch the footage on the news.

To be fair, the neighborhood around Temple is very similar to the neighborhood around University of Pennsylvania. They both are surrounded by lower income ares and have problems with crime. People are a bit more willing to overlook the neighborhood around Penn because it is an Ivy League school.

[Anonymous]

how it compares to other public schools in VA or elsewhere.

In terms of Virginia publics, Temple is probably most like Virginia Commonwealth University.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be a bit worried about the neighborhood. I recall there were students beaten by a mob last year.....it was pretty scary to watch the footage on the news.

To be fair, the neighborhood around Temple is very similar to the neighborhood around University of Pennsylvania. They both are surrounded by lower income ares and have problems with crime. People are a bit more willing to overlook the neighborhood around Penn because it is an Ivy League school.

I had a friend in graduate school who did his undergraduate at U Penn. He went to visit his friends after a couple of years away and has his car vandalized and stereo and wheels stolen. He said he was "out of practice" for dealing with Philly. Not sure that's something I'd ever want to have to practice.

[Anonymous]

Is Drexel about on par with VCU and Temple? My kid is interested in VCU, Drexel is a maybe, as is Temple. Would the neighborhood be similar to JHU in Maryland? I know JHU has a nice campus but the surrounding area is very sketchy, and I had heard that about VCU (we haven't visited yet)....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be a bit worried about the neighborhood. I recall there were students beaten by a mob last year.....it was pretty scary to watch the footage on the news.

To be fair, the neighborhood around Temple is very similar to the neighborhood around University of Pennsylvania. They both are surrounded by lower income ares and have problems with crime. People are a bit more willing to overlook the neighborhood around Penn because it is an Ivy League school.

I had a friend in graduate school who did his undergraduate at U Penn. He went to visit his friends after a couple of years away and has his car vandalized and stereo and wheels stolen. He said he was "out of practice" for dealing with Philly. Not sure that's something I'd ever want to have to practice.

Then you should forget about city universities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Drexel about on par with VCU and Temple? My kid is interested in VCU, Drexel is a maybe, as is Temple. Would the neighborhood be similar to JHU in Maryland? I know JHU has a nice campus but the surrounding area is very sketchy, and I had heard that about VCU (we haven't visited yet)....

Depends on what you want to study. Drexel excels at engineering -- probably better for that than the other two.

[Anonymous]

VCU/Richmond is way closer and way cooler city. HAVOC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be a bit worried about the neighborhood. I recall there were students beaten by a mob last year.....it was pretty scary to watch the footage on the news.

To be fair, the neighborhood around Temple is very similar to the neighborhood around University of Pennsylvania. They both are surrounded by lower income ares and have problems with crime. People are a bit more willing to overlook the neighborhood around Penn because it is an Ivy League school.

I had a friend in graduate school who did his undergraduate at U Penn. He went to visit his friends after a couple of years away and has his car vandalized and stereo and wheels stolen. He said he was "out of practice" for dealing with Philly. Not sure that's something I'd ever want to have to practice.

Then you should forget about city universities.

Yeah, probably. Like the PP said though, if my kid were to (however unlikely it might be) get accepted to Yale or Penn it might make a tough decision.

[Anonymous]

Temple is in a rough spot. We were there for a tournament and honestly afraid to leave our car. I definitely wouldn't leave one of my kids.
However, if you've visited and you and ds are comfortable with the neighborhood, then it's all good.

[Anonymous]

Also look at CNU. Lots of happy parent-friends have students there now.

[Anonymous]

Philly girl here. Penn is in West Philly. Temple is in North Philly. Neither are great but I wouldn't set foot in North Philly for any reason.