<p>any thoughts??</p>
<p>hmm - two definitely different schools. are you in-state?</p>
<p>yes i am in state</p>
<p>I have been a Penn State fan all my life but have really been surprised by Temple.</p>
<p>In what sense were you surprised?</p>
<p>Both are very good schools, but sooo different they generally appeal to very different students. Penn State is a large flag ship school, with a party reputation and great football. It has a wide alumni network esp in PA. </p>
<p>Temple is an inner city school with a diverse student body (race, age, economic background, sexuality) that is not found at many other schools. It's bball team has a great following, but it does not have as much of rah-rah atmosphere as the big state schools. It has an honors program and an excellent reputation in many of its schools. </p>
<p>Both schools are large enough (student body wise) that a motivated student should be able to excel, but it also possible to "slide under the radar" and graduate without taking advantage of all that would challenge and excite a curious learner. </p>
<p>do you know what you want to major in?</p>
<p>To be honest, Penn State University Park is a much better school that Temple. If we are comparing Penn State branch campuses to Temple, then this thread is different, but I am assuming you mean University Park. Penn State University Park is a tier one school is ranked top 50 nationally among universities and is top 15 for public universities. Temple is a tier three school, meaning it doesn't even crack the top 130 universities in the country. </p>
<p>National</a> Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>I think there is a good argument between Drexel and Temple being similar, but not with PSU UP. This may sound pretentious, but it's the truth.</p>
<p>As noted above, make sure you are comparing Penn State Main Campus. I had a lot of friends get shifted over to branch campuses when they wanted state college as their first choice. Not that you can't get a good education, but it is definitely a different experience. </p>
<p>I know US News puts Temple as a third tier, and take it and other rankings for what they are worth. Temple takes a chance on some marginal candidates "stats" wise, and I am sure they take a hit with rankings and "prestige" for that, but even given that their middle 50% scores have been steadily rising and they have a wealth of opportunities available both at the school and in taking advantage of the Philadelphia business and cultural scene. It is not for everyone, but then again neither is Penn State.</p>
<p>a temple degree is well respected within philadelphia. much more so than you would expect.</p>
<p>I am comparing Temple to University Park. I know that they are not similar and in fact very different but they are 2 options that I am considering. </p>
<p>Major wise at Temple I am considering Sport Management or MIS and at PSU I am considering IST or Security and Risk Analysis</p>
<p>I have been a big Penn State football fan my whole life and think that the school offers a lot but I don't know if I will like the whole big party scene.</p>
<p>I was surprised at how nice Temple's campus and how nice their programs were. Temple seems to be more personable that PSU and I like the opportunities Philadelphia presents.</p>
<p>From The Princeton Review</p>
<p>Temple University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>"Students find “very broad choices in classes and majors” within Temple’s 12 schools offering undergraduate academic programs. They also find various levels of classroom intimacy, as “class sizes range from about five students up to 200 depending on level and honors.” These broad options are a consequence of the school’s large enrollment. Another consequence is the fact that “most professors here have a huge number of students to take care of,” which means “A student can get lost easily in the numbers.” Due to that reality, students who take the initiative are the ones who do best here: “Temple is a great example of a university where you get out what you put in. If you work hard then you will be recognized and succeed.” This is not to say that professors are deaf to their students’ needs. On the contrary, “Professors are very accessible and genuinely want to help you learn, but you will be working for that A; don’t expect it to be handed to you.” The academic environment “is intellectually challenging. Due to the diverse nature of both the faculty and student body, professors usually challenge us to assimilate disparate cultural views and to affirm or change our own views of other cultures.” Administratively, “Every Temple student, at one time, has gotten the ‘Temple run-around.’ In other words, because the school is so big, sometimes finding the exact person you need to talk to is impossible due to limited office hours and [the fact] that the Temple staff has very limited knowledge of other Temple services.” Students appreciate the fact that “the technology is outstanding” at Temple, but complain that the school “needs to build more on-campus housing for students.” “After sophomore year you are no longer able to live in dorms,” and “The surrounding area is not known for having abundant off-campus housing options.”"</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>"The “student body is so diverse,” it often feels to students as if “There is a little of everything at Temple University”: “From goth to preppy, from European to Asian, from straight male to transsexual, Temple has it all.” “Students come from so many diverse backgrounds; no common denominator among them can really be found.” This diversity might be “the reason why all students feel welcome here.” It also “makes it a great place to learn and live. It’s a full cultural experience.” If you absolutely had to describe a typical student, you might say that “most students here care about their grades, and you will find lots of people in the library studying at early hours in the morning at finals time.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>"As you consider Temple, keep in mind its hometown: “This is Philly. There are always things to do. There are plenty of museums and historical tours, there are many places to shop, and the food is so diverse and tasty—there is always something new to try.” What’s more, “There are subway stops at each end of the campus, so it’s a breeze to get to Center City.” But you don’t have to travel far to socialize: “There are a few college bars just steps away from campus which have gotten extremely popular recently.” You don’t even have to leave campus if you don’t want to. “We go to the bars here (there are two on campus); the SAC has food and the new Student Center has everything you could want,” writes one satisfied student. “Frats and sororities are pretty unpopular on the whole,” however, so “Temple isn’t a bona fide party school.”"</p>
<p>Pennsylvania State University - University Park</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>From The Princeton Review</p>
<p>Temple University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>"Students find “very broad choices in classes and majors” within Temple’s 12 schools offering undergraduate academic programs. They also find various levels of classroom intimacy, as “class sizes range from about five students up to 200 depending on level and honors.” These broad options are a consequence of the school’s large enrollment. Another consequence is the fact that “most professors here have a huge number of students to take care of,” which means “A student can get lost easily in the numbers.” Due to that reality, students who take the initiative are the ones who do best here: “Temple is a great example of a university where you get out what you put in. If you work hard then you will be recognized and succeed.” This is not to say that professors are deaf to their students’ needs. On the contrary, “Professors are very accessible and genuinely want to help you learn, but you will be working for that A; don’t expect it to be handed to you.” The academic environment “is intellectually challenging. Due to the diverse nature of both the faculty and student body, professors usually challenge us to assimilate disparate cultural views and to affirm or change our own views of other cultures.” Administratively, “Every Temple student, at one time, has gotten the ‘Temple run-around.’ In other words, because the school is so big, sometimes finding the exact person you need to talk to is impossible due to limited office hours and [the fact] that the Temple staff has very limited knowledge of other Temple services.” Students appreciate the fact that “the technology is outstanding” at Temple, but complain that the school “needs to build more on-campus housing for students.” “After sophomore year you are no longer able to live in dorms,” and “The surrounding area is not known for having abundant off-campus housing options.”"</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>"The “student body is so diverse,” it often feels to students as if “There is a little of everything at Temple University”: “From goth to preppy, from European to Asian, from straight male to transsexual, Temple has it all.” “Students come from so many diverse backgrounds; no common denominator among them can really be found.” This diversity might be “the reason why all students feel welcome here.” It also “makes it a great place to learn and live. It’s a full cultural experience.” If you absolutely had to describe a typical student, you might say that “most students here care about their grades, and you will find lots of people in the library studying at early hours in the morning at finals time.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>"As you consider Temple, keep in mind its hometown: “This is Philly. There are always things to do. There are plenty of museums and historical tours, there are many places to shop, and the food is so diverse and tasty—there is always something new to try.” What’s more, “There are subway stops at each end of the campus, so it’s a breeze to get to Center City.” But you don’t have to travel far to socialize: “There are a few college bars just steps away from campus which have gotten extremely popular recently.” You don’t even have to leave campus if you don’t want to. “We go to the bars here (there are two on campus); the SAC has food and the new Student Center has everything you could want,” writes one satisfied student. “Frats and sororities are pretty unpopular on the whole,” however, so “Temple isn’t a bona fide party school.”"</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>"“There is a bit of everything” on this huge campus in the center of the Keystone State. That’s why some students find it so difficult to describe their peers succinctly. Rather than a “typical” student at Penn State, for some survey respondents it makes more sense to describe the school’s “multitude of groups of ‘atypical’ students: frat boys . . . jocks, internationals, loners, skaters . . . ‘jokers, smokers, midnight tokers’ . . . city kids, rednecks, country bumpkins, and so on.” In this way, “It’s like a large high school, where everyone is in their own group.” So “if you come to Penn State, don’t worry about finding friends because there is someone up here for everyone.” Yet even “Though there are a lot of differences, everyone wears blue and white on their sleeve.” Ultimately, “All Penn State students . . . love this college.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>"At a university this size, “you can do anything and everything” in your free time. There are, however, a couple of common threads. First, “PSU football is a religion.” During the fall, “Everyone goes to the football games and tailgates on Saturdays.” Second, is the partying. “People party as hard on the weekends as they study during the week.” “Popular choices” for freshmen and sophomores are “frat or apartment parties,” while “For those over 21, Penn State’s College Avenue has a great range of over 20 bars for students to choose from.” However, “If someone is not a partier, there are plenty of activities and organizations” he or she can devote her time to. For example, “substance-free activities that occur during the weekends at the Student Union (such as movies, video game tournaments, concerts)” are alternatives for those that decline to imbibe. In terms of extracurriculars, the options are practically endless. According to several students, “with over 700 student clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone” at Penn State, offering “virtually limitless possibilities to carve out your own corner” and “help students get involved, build a resume, and network.”"</p>
<p>
[quote]
To be honest, Penn State University Park is a much better school that Temple. If we are comparing Penn State branch campuses to Temple, then this thread is different, but I am assuming you mean University Park. Penn State University Park is a tier one school is ranked top 50 nationally among universities and is top 15 for public universities. Temple is a tier three school, meaning it doesn't even crack the top 130 universities in the country.</p>
<p>National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>I think there is a good argument between Drexel and Temple being similar, but not with PSU UP. This may sound pretentious, but it's the truth.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I know as a PSU alum that you're biased, but your assessment is absolutely false. You're going solely by rankings, which frankly don't mean a whole lot. We're actually ranked 134 if you want to be specific, but even so, most people know the school is significantly better than that. Penn State is better for certain programs, while Temple is better for other programs. Both are great schools, albeit entirely different. Unless you're looking to be an iBanker/work on Wall Street, a Penn State degree is not significantly better to the degree (not intended) that USNWR would indicate.</p>
<p>The Temple degree is worth a lot in Philadelphia and the immediate surrounding areas, not so much elsewhere. Penn State carries you wider geographically. If you plan to stay in eastern PA, Temple is excellent.</p>
<p>A Temple degree is MUCH more valuable internationally as well. Obviously we don't have the alumni network PSU has, but there are plenty of Temple grads on the west coast, and more and more in the south.</p>
<p>"I know as a PSU alum that you're biased, but your assessment is absolutely false."</p>
<p>I may be biased, but my assessment was correct. Penn State UP is a superior degree. If you honestly believe they are similar, then bias is obviously clouding your judgment.</p>
<p>"We're actually ranked 134 if you want to be specific, but even so, most people know the school is significantly better than that."</p>
<p>Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you're mistaken. I will just break up my response into pieces.</p>
<p>1)The rankings stop at 130. After that, they list schools simply in alphabetical order. Temple is on the next page. Temple at 134? Not so much.</p>
<p>National</a> Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>2)Temple is a decent school in the Philadelphia area, but to be on the same ranking level as North Dakota State kind of tells you something.</p>
<p>3) Penn State University Park is ranked with the likes of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Florida, which is a little different company than North Dakota State.</p>
<p>4)Actually, Penn State University Park outranks Temple in almost all programs. I will list the two of the main ones often compared, as the research would take too long, but feel free to find Temple rankings that outrank Penn State UP. I doubt they exist.</p>
<p>Business
Penn State-36 nationally
Temple-94 nationally</p>
<p>Undergrad</a> - BSchools</p>
<p>Actually, USNews had us ranked higher at 21, but since the list on the page I was reading stopped at 50, I couldn't find a number for Temple. So, we outrank you in both.</p>
<p>Engineering
Penn State-17 nationally
Temple- did not make top 100. Not alphabetical after 100, just not listed.</p>
<p>The link is to another thread, but the list is accurate.</p>
<p>I was going to address your comment about much more well internationally known, but you obviously have no real basis on which to rest this comment except your personal opinion. </p>
<p>Anyway, Temple provides a good education, but a Penn State University Park is a far better degree. It’s not like I am making some outrageous claim, as rankings are created by experts comparing the universities. If you have a problem with how the rankings are composed, perhaps you should take it up with us news. It’s not like I am dismissing a school ranked 10 behind Penn State UP, Temple didn’t even make the list. I hope this is a sufficient response.</p>
<p>There's a way to see the rankings beyond 130. Temple is listed with UCF at #134. What does 'not so much mean?' Again, I think you're putting too much stock into arbitrary rankings that are entirely irrelevant. If you think we're on the level of NDSU, then again, you're clearly biased, because the school is significantly better than NDSU.</p>
<p>As far as business schools go, anyone who knows anything knows our bschool is significantly better than 94th...</p>
<p>"but feel free to find Temple rankings that outrank Penn State UP. I doubt they exist"</p>
<p>That's why this is pointless. Bias, and pure ignorance.</p>
<p>To the OP, have you considered University of Pittsburgh? Pitt vs Penn State is a more common choice. Pitt, like Temple, is entirely urban. But, although I understand Temple is improving, the fact remains it's "dangerous area" reputation dies hard. At least that's how it's viewed here in South Jersey. Personally I think if you want an urban university that has more similarities to Penn State, Pitt provides a much better overall environment than Temple, and is a better school than Temple. Temple has respectable medical, dental and law schools, but even there I think Pitt wins.</p>
<p>I am not sure where you are seeing 134, but even if that is true that puts you right with UCF. Tied with UCF is about right, actually.</p>
<p>"If you think we're on the level of NDSU, then again, you're clearly biased, because the school is significantly better than NDSU."</p>
<p>What are you basing that belief on? Rankings?</p>
<p>"As far as business schools go, anyone who knows anything knows our bschool is significantly better than 94th..."</p>
<p>I guess those know-nothings over at BusinessWeek thought differently, because that's right where they put you.</p>
<p>2331clk has it right, Penn State vs. Pitt is a more common question. Penn State UP and Pitt are both better schools than Temple. Diontech is just a crazed Temple grad with delusions of grandeur concerning his degree. I guess he doesn't like to consider things like admission numbers, rankings, campus reviews, professor reviews, or anything when comparing universities. I guess should all just be like diontech and give our biased opinions with no support from unbiased sources supporting our claims. It's easy to find students at your school that think it's good, not just because they are temple students, but trying to find someone that agrees with you may be a little more difficult. Pitt is a much better school and choice if you want an urban campus. Temple is an ok school in a bad area, and is the safety school for people applying to Pitt and Penn State UP. It's that simple.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Anyway, Temple provides a good education, but a Penn State University Park is a far better degree. It’s not like I am making some outrageous claim, as rankings are created by experts comparing the universities. If you have a problem with how the rankings are composed, perhaps you should take it up with us news. It’s not like I am dismissing a school ranked 10 behind Penn State UP, Temple didn’t even make the list. I hope this is a sufficient response.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>jec, the problem is that you utilized nearly identical arguments dismiss uconn (for a connecticut resident) just a few days ago. uconn is, incidentally, a school ranked not much more than ten spots behind penn state. in fact, it ranks some 60 places ahead of penn state in faculty resources (per usnews, which you seem to value) and has nearly identical selectivity and financial resources numbers. throw out the subjective part of the rankings, peer assessment, and uconn might actually come out on top.</p>
<p>penn state is a fine school. in fact, i have no problem agreeing that it is a better institution on the whole than both connecticut and temple. however, youre doing nothing more than deluding yourself in arguing that it is 'far' better than either, particularly in terms undergraduate educational quality. 'far' IS nothing short of outrageous. after all, im still waiting on a syllabus for a course i took with one of penn states most brilliant math professors... three years ago. i bet id have gotten one from a lowly temple prof. and heck, he might have actually prepared a couple lectures while he was at it.</p>
<p>so, sure, all else equal, penn state is great choice. but all else in life is never equal. so if there is a real incentive (monetary, geographic, whatever) to attend another quality institution, which temple no doubt is (else it wouldnt have a comparable, if not stronger, humanities faculty than your beloved penn state), i see no problem in doing so.</p>
<p>I never said it was far better than UConn, just Temple. Did you attend Bucknell? Do you believe it to be better than PSU? If you went, I would believe you probably do. I would agree that it is better. With that said, if 17 spots can mean somewhere is better, what does the difference between 47 and 134 mean? I would say that constitutes the use of "far".</p>
<p>"throw out the subjective part of the rankings, peer assessment, and uconn might actually come out on top."</p>
<p>Yeah, lets throw out those opinions of the people in academia. They probably don't know what they are talking about. I used to not believe the opinions of people in academia to be as important, but I have now come to believe that they are one of, if not the, most important.</p>