Help Me Decide Between Two Schools!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Should I not be able to afford my dream school (American) I need a second choice which I would be happy attending. While I applied to six other schools, I think I’ve narrowed it down between Temple University (Philadelphia) and Arcadia University (about 30 minutes outside of Philly). Even if you’ve never heard of these schools, I’ve analyzed them below, so I’d appreciate it if you’d share your gut reaction which would be a better match for my interests/goals. </p>

<p>I am very conflicted—there are positive aspects of both, as well as significant shortcomings. The two schools are very different which makes it difficult to conduct a fair comparison. My primary goal with college is to land a job, so I am placing a lot of value on internships and other experiences will build my resume. My secondary goal is to have an enjoyable four years with interesting academics, enjoyable extracurriculars, etc. I want the school which will allow me to best accomplish the aforementioned things. </p>

<p>1). Size: Arcadia has approximately 2,000 students, while Temple has 30,000 +. Temple is notorious for their bureaucracy, but Arcadia seems to run smoothly from what I have experienced. </p>

<p>2). Honors: Arcadia has a small honors program. While some aspects of this are good (an independent project with assistance of faculty mentors), there are few honors courses to choose from (I think there’s just composition, literature, and a couple of seminars). At Temple, all Gen. Eds are honors, and even some courses for my major will be honors. As a bonus, at Temple there are honors dorms, so I will get housed with honors students. (Temple wins, because their program is much more comprehensive). </p>

<p>3). Dorms: At Arcadia, I will be in a standard double or a triple. At Temple, as a member of honors, I will get a suite with an attached bathroom. (Temple wins) </p>

<p>4). Study Abroad: Temple has campuses in Tokyo, Rome and London. There’s not many other programs, however. (I am interested in studying in France, Scotland or Russia which Temple does not have). You also have to pay extra fees for Temple study abroad programs, which will be a financial hardship. At Arcadia, all financial aid transfers to study abroad, so for me it will be roughly the same cost as a semester at Arcadia. Arcadia has one of the best study abroad programs nationwide, with tons of countries to choose from. It is not uncommon for students at Arcadia to study abroad three or four times. (Arcadia wins). </p>

<p>5). Internships: Temple is excellent for internships. It is located in Philadelphia with a plethora of internship possibilities a train/bus ride away. One Temple student I spoke with had eight internships…this would look amazing on my resume. Especially since I don’t know what I want to do (politics? Law? Journalism? Non-profit work?) having internships in all of these areas could really help me narrow down my career interests. Arcadia is about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, which isn’t far, but this may make it more difficult for me to fit in an internship into my schedule. However, Arcadia offers internships abroad for communications organizations in New Zealand and the Scottish Parliament…this would look great on my resume and be very rewarding. (Which is better….the ease of internships at Temple, or the possibility of completing one or more internships abroad with Arcadia?)</p>

<p>6). Extracurriculars:
Temple has a club for every interest. Arcadia, since it is more of a commuter school, has some offerings, but not as many organizations as I would like. My primary interest is being on the campus newspaper. Arcadia’s paper is thin and rather unimpressive. My high school paper puts it to shame! Temple has one of the best papers I have seen, and they have an award-winning website. As a bonus, Temple pays you to be on their newspaper (not much, but it helps!) (Temple wins!)</p>

<p>7). Academics: I’m conflicted between several majors, so I’ve broken them down, below:</p>

<p>a). Journalism: Temple has one of the best journalism programs on the East Coast. While Arcadia has basically a Journalism I and a Journalism II class, Temple has International Journalism, Investigative Reporting and tons of other specialized journalism classes. There’s an emphasis on “new media” which will be great in finding a job. Temple Journalism students produce their own magazine, and complete lots of journalism projects in the city of Philadelphia, covering issues in local neighborhoods. (Temple wins)</p>

<p>b). Russian: Temple has a great Russian program, Arcadia has no Russian classes (Temple, hands down) </p>

<p>c). Anthropology: Arcadia has some pretty basic Anthropology classes, while Temple has some more esoteric offerings, like Urban Dialects, The Anthropology of Food, and Pacific Rim Civilizations. Temple’s program sounds SO FASCINATING…there’s hands-on archaeological work, opportunities for research, it seems right up my alley. (Temple wins).</p>

<p>d). International Studies: Arcadia has a decent program, but Temple does not have an IS major. Temple does, however, have PoliSci with an international affairs focus, although then the more anthropological end of the subject is lost. (Arcadia wins).</p>

<p>Overall, Temple has won more categories, and based upon this analysis it wins in academic quality. But if I choose Temple, I won't get the same opportunity for foreign travel that Arcadia will afford me...and if there's one thing that I've heard people regret about their college experience, it's that they didn't study abroad. I don't know which I would regret more down the road...not studying abroad or going to a school that academically is a poor match. I know I could study abroad at Temple, but financially, it would be so much more difficult.</p>

2

<p>As far as the study abroad goes, you still will be able to apply to programs with other schools. You should go to the school that you are happier at overall and not think about the study abroad that much at this point. For example, my school had a great program in a unique location (one of two in the world). I was accepted to the program and a week before I got really sick and couldn’t go abroad. </p>

<p>Just something to consider.</p>

3

<p>Willmingtonwave–I’m sorry to hear that your study abroad didn’t work out :frowning: What program did your school have that was one of only two in the world?</p>

4

<p>It was a program in Venice (my school owns a house on the Grand Canal), but it is neither here nor there. Luckily, I loved my school and it was only a blip in an otherwise amazing experience. Otherwise, I would have been sorely disappointed that I chose a school for something other than the academics/campus/etc. </p>

<p>I would raise your concerns to Temple to see what they can do. If you have been accepted to both schools, Temple will want you to attend and will try to see if you can figure something out. I would call their Center for International Studies (or equivalent) as soon as possible.</p>

5

<p>Temple might have won overall but I think you need to pick out like 3 of the 7 topics that are the most important to you. Being from the northeast I’ve heard plenty about both schools and both seem to be fine schools. One thing I have always heard about Temple though is that it’s in an unsafe location, just something to keep in mind I guess. Something else, Temple is in a big city while Arcadia is away from that more so do you want big city or not?</p>

6

<p>Initially, I was concerned about Temple’s location, but then I visited and found I felt much more comfortable than I anticipated. I think a lot of the horrror stories are exaggerated. The area apparently has improved a lot in the past 20 years. While Temple’s neighborhood is not my ideal location, I am not opposed to living there. </p>

<p>Arcadia’s campus is very green and suburban–it felt perfectly safe. The only thing is there is not too much going on in Glenside. I guess it comes down to, would I rather live on a campus in a not-so-nice area and be in the middle of everything, or would I rather live on a more lush, suburban campus and have internships/entertainment be a bit of a hike.</p>

7

<p>You put it perfectly in your last post. Some students don’t do well in cities and some do so it’s all up to you.</p>

8

<p>A few years ago I was entirely opposed to living in a city and I wanted to move to somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Then I realized how much I love museums, theatre, restaurants, history–and the city is the place for these things. I like to think that I would do well in a city, but having never inhabited one for more than a few days, it is hard to tell. I admit though I am not the most city-smart person. I can decipher a train schedule, but throw me onto a rush-hour intersection as a pedestrian and I am completely confused. I guess dealing with this sort of thing comes with practice?</p>

9

<p>I know what your saying lol I come from a really small town and have little city experience but I have my mind made up that I want to be where the action is in or near a city. </p>

<p>For your decision it’s all personal preference in the end. It seems that Temple is fitting to everything you want alittle more except for the studying abroad.</p>

10

<p>IMO, if you prefer a larger school (as I do), you should go with Temple. Although I don’t think you can go wrong</p>