Temple is by far my first chance of school, and I’m terribly worried about getting in. I took a gap year to do some internships and volunteer work which will be explained below.
Here are the stats:
Weighted GPA: 4.1
Unweighted: Between 3.5 and 3.7, I don’t quite remember the exact number since I haven’t seen my transcript in a few months. I’ve gotten mainly all As with a handful of Bs
80+ hours of community service (won a local award two years in a row for community service and promoting the arts)
Took all Honors and AP courses except for two math classes and one science class freshman year:
- AP Psychology
- AP Lit
- AP Studio, scored a 5
ECs:
- Vice President of NAHS for 4 years
- Vice President of Art Club for 4 years
- Head Art Editor for school’s literary magazine for 3 years
- Field Hockey manager for 4 years (I couldn’t play because of injury that has lasted since middle school and I still
wanted to stick with my team)
- Interned with my school’s Art and Humanities teacher (taught of few classes + came up with lesson plans)
Gap Year
- Volunteering at local Historical Society three days per week
- Internship with an Art Director in D.C. that’ll last a few months
- Volunteering at local galleries and art museums
- Getting contacts and developing relationships with the senior educators at the National Gallery of Art
I’m planning on doing the Temple Option btw. Also, I’ll be majoring in Art History.
My application won’t be submitted until the end of November to mid-December due to my high school teachers writing recommendations later, and I’m terrified if this is too late…
I also live in PA, which I heard helps in the admissions process.
All feedback is welcomed 
Thanks!
Also, I was in the top 12% of my class.
I would say, from everything I’ve read and heard, that Temple would be a safety school for you. The admit rate is a bit lower for regular/rolling admission than it is for EA, though… Also, from what I’ve researched. I guess Temple does favor in-state applicants, but don’t they want/need the extra tuition from OOS, not too mention geographical diversity?
I feel like everyone has something different to say about Temple when it comes to geographical location and what they want. Most say they admit more in-state applicants, but others say they admit almost all out-of-state. It doesn’t make sense.
At first, I thought that Temple was definitely a safety school for me, but reading other articles saying that they are becoming more selective in the last year or so caused my admission anxiety. I’ve read about others in my situation applying in December or even January that get admitted, but they never revealed their stats. I didn’t know where I stood.
Also, I want to apologize for the many typos. I type wayyyy too fast.
Oops, I didn’t notice the typos and I’m a college professor! Well, I would say you’re a shoe in, and if you’re not, my daughter would have a lot to worry about! X_X . I know kids who were admitted with no AP classes whatsoever. And with a lower GPA. And they were OOS.
Well, thank you 
I feel so much better about this whole thing now.
She’s applying Temple Option, so no test scores. 4 supplemental short essays.
@sarahmurray Would you say I have a chance? My application will be sent in this Sunday due to some last minute editing and sending some extra things. I spoke with both the head of admissions of Temple and head of admissions at Tyler School of Art and both said I should be more than fine, but I’m not sure if they just told me that to calm my nerves or it’s actually genuine.
I would say you will be fine!! I’m a college professor at a state university in NJ and my daughter has applied to Temple with the Temple Option, and I would have to say your stats are getting me nervous for her chances!! 8-|
@sarahmurray I’m sure she’ll be fine!! It just worries me because Temple is becoming increasingly popular over the last few years and all I’ve been seeing of accepted students are ones with 3.8+ unweighted GPA and sky-high SAT/ACT scores (I guess because it’s easy to admit students with those high of stats!)
Are you referring to students on this forum? Because they are disproportionately high performers. Temple has only a 25% yield rate, so a lot of high stats kids who gain acceptance don’t actually attend. Everyone in my area (40 miles outside NYC) talks about how unsafe that area of Philly is, so I have to admit, I’m surprised that it attracts so many over qualified applicants!
@sarahmurray Yeah, they’re the only stats that are available to me since I’m not in school anymore and have no one else to compare to lol. That makes me feel A LOT better. Philly is definitely not as safe, but I feel that if you have a good head on your shoulders and keep in mind of your surroundings, you’ll be fine. A lot of urban schools are like that. I’m also applying to VCUarts and Richmond can be almost as dangerous as Philly.
Oh yes, I agree. Yale is also in a not so safe place. I’m just surprised that, given the image/reputation that people I know attach to Temple, there are so many accomplished students dying to get in!
@sarahmurray Their Art History program is great at Temple and I’d like to work in Philly. It’s the best fit for me. I even come from a small rural town, so “city life” is something I never truly experienced. I just hope they let in some of the average students, too.
I don’t think you’re average!
@sarahmurray I didn’t think you were calling me average, I just always think of myself as such. I’m a perfectionist and nothing is ever enough. I think that’s why I’m freaking out about getting admitted, too, lol.
It is interesting watching urban schools, especially here in Philly, get so popular and way more selective. Suburban schools that used to be a lot less competitive like St. Joe’s and Villanova are suddenly a lot more selective. And Temple which used to be completely open admission practically has become a lot more selective. Drexel is in the same boat, too. La Salle has its highest number of freshmen in decades. They can afford to be pickier.
But you will get in @arealchip
And Temple is one school I have never heard bad news about. Everyone I know who’s graduated loved the intellectual atmosphere and great environment.
@CCtoAlaska Even though I’m applying early/mid December? I’m just scared if that’s too late and will hurt my chances…
@arealchip did you apply yet?