Temple - Communication Issues Pre-COVID 19?

Last fall we attended the Temple Open House, and were very impressed. It was well-organized, and the school seemed like a great fit for my son. Since then, though, the communication has been abysmal. I can’t blame the COVID-19 pandemic, because the problem started weeks before that. I sent an email to the general admissions address and only ever received an automated response. I called with questions that people did not know the answer to, and no one took a message and called me back. I have tweeted a question to them and emailed a random admissions counselor because I could not find an admissions counselor for New York on the web site. No response to anything. This is extremely concerning to me. Although the school initially appeared to be the best fit for my son, I do not feel comfortable sending him to a place with such little communication when they are supposed to be trying to get him to come.

Since the pandemic, I have been more forgiving of the office, but the other schools he has applied to have at least sent an update on how they are dealing with the situation. A couple reached out personally, even while they were still evacuating students from their campuses.

Are there current students or parents on this thread who can comment on whether this general lack of response and difficulty getting answers is the usual way of running things when the students are on campus, or is it just something to do with the admissions office? My son liked the school a lot, and they gave him a hefty scholarship, so I don’t want to write them off, but am feeling frustrated.

@UNYMom I have three neighbors with kids who attend Temple (two of the students lived on-campus until they were “evacuated”) and they all have been very pleased with Temple overall. It is too bad that Temple has not been communicating with you regarding their COVID-19 procedures, but there has been information on it on their site for the last few weeks. Perhaps private colleges send out more information? My daughter attends Tulane and we get emails several times a week from them. Good luck on your decision. I am a Temple alum and I am hoping my son, class of 2021, will be an Owl.

Thanks! I am not so worried about their communication post-virus, as everyone has a lot to do. But even back in January, I could not get answers to simple questions like “What time is the Honors reception? We received an email saying info would be coming soon.” Of all the schools, both public and private, that my kids applied to, Temple has been the least responsive.

I know that most schools put on their best face through admissions work, so am worried that the lack of answers will continue when students are enrolled. Good to know that many students are happy once they arrive on campus! Was hoping to get to Accepted Students Day to allay some of my fear, but, alas, that is not to be.

Oh, sorry, I did not read your post thoroughly. I don’t know what was going on with admissions at that time, but I have found Temple to be quite good with communications. This is old news, but my D17 got into Temple Honors and was extremely impressed with the Honors reception and the Program in general. If she had not been hellbent on leaving town (we live in Philly), it would have definitely been a contender since the Honors program is so impressive. She ended up in Tulane’s Honors Program, which was absolutely great but does not have all the perks of Temple’s. I just looked it up: Ruth Ost is the Senior Director of the Temple Honors Program. Maybe look up her Temple email address and send her an email directly with your questions. My guess is that they are simply have not dates for a reception at this time, but maybe she can answer some of your questions or direct you to someone who can.

As a side note, I hear Temple’s academic counseling is great from multiple students. They take the “Fly in 4” very seriously. Good luck!

Thanks!