Temple University

Don't waste time - don't put off school. When you are 40 or older it's much harder, especially for advanced degrees. Pick a reasonable profession you like, don't search forever trying to find a "professional pot of gold." You may not love it, but will probably grow into it or something for you will grow out of it. Education, no matter what the university/college or job is what YOU make of it. There is the top tier of Ivys and schools of prestige, but everything else is just about the same, in terms of oppportunity. Many Ivy grads get nowhere and many less prestigious college grads become quite successful. Education and work however, are not the keys to happiness, they're just one important part of life among many others, such as family, faith, and community. Don't trust in luck. Events are what they are intended to be. So in my opinion, "luck" and "name-dropping," etc. are not the keys to opportunity, just as making money fast is not the key to happiness. There are many wealthy, unhappy and depressed loners and intellectual derelicts are a dime-a-dozen intellectuals - 99% of getting anywhere in life is YOUR DETERMINATION & PERSERVENCE! Believe in yourself, work hard, be patient, and do good to others. By these actions success will come to you naturally.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

DO NOT GO TO TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF NURSING! It is honestly a terrible program! I will admit that you will be prepared well to be a nurse but by the time you graduate, you will be on 5 different prescription meds for anxiety and depression, you will have lost quite a few years of life, and I assure you that your gray hairs will grow way earlier than you expected! I tell you in all honesty: they love to fail students!!!! For two reasons: 1) they make BIG bucks from you failing!!! Keep the student for an extra year and make another 20k? Why not? 2) they over accepted for my class and now they don't have enough facilities to place is in for senior mentor ship and they don't have money to hire more faculty so they're solution is to make tests so difficult that most people fail the semester! This is absolutely NOT an exaggeration! In fact, I am a student that is currently passing and has not yet failed, thank God! But I write this on behalf of my friends who have failed! If you want to go to Temple strongly urge you to rethink the decision and keep rethinking it until you change your mind!

3rd Year Female -- Class 2015

Surrounding City: A, Education Quality: F

I've just completed my first year here at Temple's Main Campus. I'm very glad I chose this school, but for those of you who are still deciding here are some positives and negatives of the place.

+ You're in a major United States city. SEPTA buses, the subway run through campus to whisk you downtown to a cafe, concert, or bohemian cultural event.

- You're in North Philadelphia - an absolute ghetto. You will get used to hearing sirens and get asked for change by panhandlers everyday.

+ You're in North Philadelphia - get out of your stupid suburban comfort sphere and learn how to deal with the real world: learn street smarts, safety, and shake off your racism.

+ Temple students are humble. Most are fending for themselves paying off loans, working a job, and trying to get through it all having fun. They aren't pretentious and like to have a good time, but care about grades.

+ The professors that I have had are all very intelligent and dedicated to seeing their students succeed. I'm a Spanish major and my professors give good advice, are available to talk, and shape their lessons to be fun.

+ Temple is a great excuse to get in shape. I walk miles and miles each day around campus. There's a great gym on Cecil B. Moore Ave with an elevated track. Lots of programs to get you off your butt.

- As soon as it hits 10:30pm, if you're on on-campus freshman you're screwed when it comes to food. The dining halls close and serve 4th meal - a medley of fried and fatty foods. The only things open are greasy pizza shops and Chinese hole-in-the-walls. Make sure you stock up on snacks.

- The SAC food court is run by the local population - brace yourself for slow service and lazy workers with an attitude.

+/- The Honors College is great. If you're lucky enough to get into this exclusive club, they will help you out with internships and making the most of your time here. In the rest of the colleges, take a number and have your OwlCard ready since the service is a bit impersonal.

+ Yes there is a lack of university housing, but not housing in general. Besides, living with a random snotrag your senior year isn't that much fun. Get a rowhome a few blocks offcampus with your friends. It's safe if you have common sense and teaches responsibility.

+ Sports - Basketball season is mostly what matters around here. People love Temple's basketball players. The team has done well recently and made it to the NCAA Tournament. Football is much to be desired. Games are played at the Linc and about a few hundred are in attendance.

- There are a lot of fancy new buildings like Alter Hall and 1300. Most were built during the 60s and 70s (an architectural dark-age) and could use a facelift. Yet most state schools are this way. + Tuition is cheap! You get the most bang for your buck.

1st Year Male -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C-