Syracuse vs. Temple

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Let me start off by saying I will be taking a gap year next year and doing a studying abroad program which involves community service, taking a few classes (~24 credits worth) and enjoying the country. As a benefit of my Dad's employment at Columbia University, no matter where I chose to attend college 50% of my tuition will be covered by Columbia. Family wishes to contribute ~12k, the rest is based on private/local scholarship awards. When I get back I plan on studying Business (Marketing and possible Management Information Systems).</p>

<p>A comparison of the two schools:</p>

<p>Syracuse (COA ~$35k/year)
- Absolutely love the school/the area, feels like a dream to me
- I was waitlisted, though through connections some strings are being pulled which will ultimately grant me admission
- Will allow me to defer my acceptance for a year
- 5 hours from home
- (I think) they have a good business program, though if anybody else could comment on it I'd appreciate it.
- I probably won't get any merit based scholarship, or need based scholarship (comparing myself to those in my grade who were/werent awarded scholarship), meaning the $20k or so that I'd owe would be in private scholarship money which I would have to work my butt off for.
- HUGE on sports, definitely something I look forward to in college
- Possibility of honors after gap year program transcript is submitted.</p>

<p>Temple (COA ~$17k/year)
- Loved the school when I went, area is a little sketchy though Philly seems like a great city to be in
- 2 Hours from home
- A bit more complicated with deferring, but doable.
- So/so on sports, pretty good basketball team
- Building a lot of new hundred million dollar buildings, seems to be very upcoming
- Business program seemed pretty outstanding, all of the internships they offer students are payed, they work with top corporations/businesses within America, and they have a center within the business school to ensure you have a job after graduating. It's also very high tech and overall a beautiful new building.
- Will be admitted into honors program after gap year.</p>

<p>Essentially what it boils down to is (since I'm not taking out any loans) is Syracuse worth me working my ass off to get a million private scholarships for?</p>

2

<p>Lucky you! You have strings to pull.</p>

3

<p>Hopefully, I can give you some info about Temple with this, I go there:</p>

<p>-North Philly is NOT a good area. But Temple loves their students and safety is their #1 concern. Temple police are the 2nd largest police force in Pennsylvania. Temple trains not only their police but also Penn and Drexel’s. There are emergency poles everywhere. You can take the OwlLoop right to your front door (or dorm). You just can’t be oblivious. If you’re drunk, make sure you’re with friends (and buy pepper spray) and don’t galavant around North Philly with your iPhone at 3AM. </p>

<p>-It’s close to everything. It’s about a 20 min ride (max) to the megabus station and around the same time to UPenn and Drexel. </p>

<p>-Live in 1940 your first year or 1300, they’re suites so you won’t have to share a bathroom with 60 people. </p>

<p>-The business school is awesome, but it’s a lot of work (which seems to be what you’re prepared for). I have a minor in Fox and its the nicest building. They are very proud of their students and expect you to take yourself seriously because they take your education/future seriously.</p>

<p>-Temple is very cheap and PA cut the budget but Temple’s alumni gives back. This keeps us from raising tuition exponentially over time. Temple is slowly becoming more private. Temple is also set on getting you a job (it can be annoying, but it’s out of love). They have a GREATTTT career center, which hosts career fairs, resume workshops, etc. I’m sure Fox does not by themselves, as well. </p>

<p>-Our basketball team is awesome (even though all the seniors are gone after this year). We may not be good, but when we get to the Lincoln Financial Field, it is literally a sea of Cherry and White. If you love sports, you’ll love the atmosphere. </p>

<p>-The GenEds are hit or miss, always read what other people say about the class. Sometimes you’ll have a great professor who makes powerpoints and sings to you, sometimes you’ll have a traditional read-the-book-then-take-a-quiz professors and then sometimes you’ll have extremely boring professors. Some GenEds are extra cool though because they require you to go to plays/ballets/museums at night for class. </p>

<p>-If you’re living off-campus, research the area (street wise) and look at Temple’s off-campus housing page. Visit the place, you’ll know if its not a good place to live. Most off-campus places end up being cheaper than on-campus housing (except if you break a window in off-campus you fix it, in on-campus, housing fixes it). </p>

<p>-The dining hall food is bearable, but its not amazing. There’s J&H and the Student Center, one is buffet and the other is a food court. The foodtrucks and little restaurants, especially the Chinese food, are what keeps me sane. The food trucks are not expensive at all. There’s a Starbucks in the law school Barnes & Noble, one in the Tech Center, a Saxbys and a Dunkin Donuts. They’re building Morgan Hall now, which is supposed to include more places to eat and get coffee. There’s also a Fresh Grocer right on North Broad. </p>

<p>-There’s a movie theater on North Broad. There’s always some event going on on-campus, as in a theatre show, spoken word, or concerts. Tyler School of the Art is like museum, it’s a beautiful building, there’s also a cute place to use your meal plan there. Off-campus, you won’t have a problem finding a party/event. If you live in a dorm, you’ll find a flyer under your door. </p>

<p>-It’s really big. This is a pro and a con. It can be hard to meet people, but just be nice and friendly in your residence hall/living situation and try to talk to people in classes. Since its so big, there’s people from all over: state-wide, nation-wide, and world-wide. </p>

<p>-Workers. Hopefully you will never have to wait in Financial Aid, they’re sooo rude. It’s obnoxious. Sometimes the cafeteria workers can be rude. The teachers are usually nice though. Just be nice to everyone. </p>

<p>-It’s honestly what you make it. Temple is a value. They love their students…I’m not kidding. They take pride in everyone’s achievements. Join organizations. That’s how I met the best people here. Fox is an awesome business school.</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much Kait, I appreciate it. Luckily I’m a guy so (I’m hoping) I won’t need pepper spray haha.</p>

5

<p>bump bump bump</p>

6

<p>If cost is not an issue than Syracuse easily.</p>

7

<p>Cost is an issue, which you would know if you read the OP.</p>

8

<p>then go to temple.</p>