<p>I visited Temple yesterday, and I loved it. They have some excellent programs, a location with plentiful internships, and a huge selection of clubs. I just have a few questions for anyone who is familar with Temple or a student at TU:</p>
<p>1). How are the class sizes? I love Temple's academics, but the only thing that concerns me is that I might get some gigantic courses. If you want to stick to mostly small classes (under 30), is it possible? Have you found your classes to be interactive, or are they primarily lectures? And are lecture classes as bad as people say they are?</p>
<p>2). What are Temple's study abroad offerings like? I really, really want to study abroad, however, I don't have a lot of extra money. Are there programs that will allow you to study abroad for Temple's tuition? Are scholarships available for programs with additional costs?</p>
<p>3). Prior to visiting Temple, a lot of people shared horror stories about its neighborhood. When I walked on (and outside of) campus, I felt perfectly safe. For those who attend or have spent a lot of time at TU, how safe do you feel overall? Can a female walk alone at night if she stays on campus? Do you hear about a lot of campus crime?</p>
<p>4). Is it possible to double major or create your own major at Temple?</p>
<p>5). Lastly, does anyone know anything about Temple's journalism, history, English, political science or geography departments and would like to share their experiences?</p>
<p>Many people you talk to will only remember what the neighborhood around Temple was like 25 years ago. There still are some questionable neighborhoods several blocks away to the west and east, but the core of the campus is greatly improved in appearance, amenities and safety. </p>
<p>I imagine a person could walk alone at night on the main pedestrian routes within the core of the campus, but it generally is not a good idea in any city on blocks that have less traffic and fewer responsible pedestrians. </p>
<p>If you google the name of a college and “Common Data Set”, you will usually find a wealth of data about class sizes, financial aid, etc.</p>
<p>The projects are two blocks south of Temple on 13th Street. I know because my mom had her car stolen, and that’s where it was found. The “Badlands” are just north of there (big drug dealer district).</p>
<p>A lot of parents have bought up the houses immediately around campus. But I would not go off it, at least, not within walking distance. There are cops on the subway and stuff, and that’s not so bad. </p>
<p>I don’t think you can create your own major. It’s a state-affiliated university, they would have state criteria to meet.</p>
<p>Having spent time at Drexel, I would say Temple’s campus is not in a very good area. Drexel Public Safety sends alerts to our phone about anything that has happened and where it happened. Drexel, Temple and UPenn all work together, so all three schools get each other’s public safety alerts. Of all the emergency alerts, the vast majority come from Temple. Stabbing, robbing, etc. are relatively frequent right off of Temple’s campus.
Temple is ranked the #15 most dangerous campus
Stats for the last 3 years:
Murders: 1
Negligent Homicides: 0
Forcible Rapes: 34
Non-forcible Rapes: 0
Robberies: 192
Aggravated Assaults: 97
Burglaries: 747
Car Thefts: 56
Arsons: 1</p>
<p>I think you have to guage your own level of acceptable risk. I grew up in Philadelphia and attended Temple in the early 90’s. I was no more concerned on and around Temple’s campus than I was in any area of Philadelphia. It’s an urban city. I can say that it does appear a lot safer nowadays though with lights, patrols, and emergency call boxes. I think many who feel like Temple is so unsafe may be from areas where being in Temple’s area just feels alien and scary. I think it’s best to ask people who actually go there than get advise from people who obviously chose not to.</p>
<p>Many in my area turn their nose up at Temple for undergrad only to see the value of the education for grad school/law school. I don’t know many specifics about the undergrad courses, but a frequent poster, diontechristmas, is the cheerleader for Temple. He’ll be able to give you specifics on class sizes.</p>
<p>I agree the area around Temple is much better than that of 20-25 years ago. I am fairly overprotective of my kids and I allowed my son as a 13 yr old to take summer day classes at Temple and travel via train (station is right there and often patroled).</p>
<p>The biggest safety issue to me is housing after freshmen year.</p>