<p>I'm a bit confused about Temple University, located in Philadelphia. It's listed as a public university, so I guess it's a state school in Pennsylvania. (?) Then, I've read it's a secular university, despite the name. Is this true? Could someone explain to me what exactly Temple University is, possibly in comparison to other schools? I'm only expecting one or two responses, so hopefully no one will get carried away </p>
<p>well secular means non religious, which most state U's are...</p>
<p>it started as a private university by a baptist temple but was separated from the church and was founded as non-religious, sometime in the 60's (I believe), it became public...it is called Temple University because it was named after the Baptist Temple...</p>
<p>i got accepted and i'm going there in fall 09...</p>
<p>It's a pretty large, metropolitan university. They have a very high acceptance rate. Though the undergraduate school isn't particularly well respected, the medical school is apparently very good.</p>
<p>It is in what is considered the most dangerous part of Philadelphia.</p>
<p>A more detailed explanation. Here in PA there are three types of "public" universities. First there is Penn State (and its many campuses) which is our land grant State university. Then there is Pitt and Temple. Both state affiliated (which means state residents still get a break on tuition). Then there is the state college system (Slippery Rock, Cheyney, Millersville, West Chester plus a whole bunch more). State residents also get a tuition break from these colleges.</p>
<p>Hey hellojan--hope you just innocently cross posted with lvkewlkid. Not nice to slam the school where someone announced they are going to attend. </p>
<p>For the right kid Temple is the right University. There are a myriad of options (Tyler for art, the Tourism school, Fox Business etc.). Also unfair slam as to North Philly. Yep, it has the same problems as most Universities in large cities. The public safety dept at Temple is very good. Come in from the suburbs sometime!</p>
<p>Temple is a great Philly school. Ask anyone in Philly what's the 2nd best school within city limits and they would almost always say Temple (or Drexel).</p>
<p>I would hardly say Temple is not well respected - it has a big name, particularly in the Philly area. But lets not kid ourselves - North Philadelphia is an especially bad neighborhood.</p>
<p>"They have a very high acceptance rate. Though the undergraduate school isn't particularly well respected"</p>
<p>The acceptance rate is dropping every year, and to say the undergraduate school isn't well respected is especially laughable. As far as coolman's post, it is in North Philly, but the school itself is very safe.</p>
<p>They may have a high admission rate, but part of their "mission" is educate those in their own "backyard" who may often be from inner city schools, first generation etc. Russell Conwell, the founder of Temple University was renowned for giving the "Acres of Diamonds: speech the gist of which is you need look no further than your backyard for what you are seeking.<br>
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Conwell</p>
<p>Temple has an excellent honors program, and has a high reputation in many fields, including the Fox School of Business, Tyler School of Art and the film program in addition to their post grad schools of med, dental, law.</p>
<p>It has a true campus, in an urban environment, with easy access to all the cultural opportunities that Philly has to offer. For a motivated student it can provide an excellent, affordable education!</p>
<p>they have some great programs, including a fantastic psych department. good basketball tradition.</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>