Temple University

Date: Nov 02 2012
Major: Journalism (This Major's Salary over time)
When I finally started attending classes, the university began to reveal itself in ways I hadn't quite taken notice of at orientation. Temple contains nearly every race under the sun, but it's heavily segregated, particularly amongst Asian and Southern Asian (i.e. Indian, Pakistani, etc.) students. This is doubly troubling for me as I am Indian, yet feel a huge disconnect with Indian students here. Cliquey, exclusive -whatever you want to call it, it's not ideal.

Though most are pretty open, some clubs and groups on campus are similarly afflicted. As a journalism student, I have to get "clips" by writing for The Temple News, but those in charge seem perplexed when someone not already on the paper wants to write for them. (It doesn't help that the paper is lackluster, and just a step above tabloid status since it's mostly living and entertainment-oriented) You never hear about most clubs, and meeting times and locations often change. Many of them are hard to participate in as a commuter, as it seems you need to stay on campus until later in the evening, when most meet. If you have a job, it's even harder.

Also, Temple is no longer a commuting school. With the erection of Morgan Hall (a questionable use of Temple funds at this time), the university is striking out for "big campus" status. (NOTE: IF YOU'RE A COMMUTER, PREPARE FOR NO SOCIAL LIFE. It's pretty hard to make friends if you're not on campus all the time.) The campus isn't terribly attractive, though it's not fractured like Drexel's nor a nonentity like CCP's. Room/board rates are ridiculous, and your only real financially-savvy option is to room with a bunch of other people well off campus; sometimes renting a house can be cheaper and a better option than Temple's on-campus housing. Most of the places open to students off-campus, however, are hardly more than glorified tenement houses. If there is a "revitalization" going on in North Philadelphia, I have yet to see it. It's still a pretty scuzzy, dodgy place.

As regards academics, they're not the most rigorous. This is made worse by the compulsory GenEd requirements, which are often in arcane and not terribly applicable areas and cut into your major requirements. The average Temple student isn't terribly bright, and the idiotic YOLO-party mentality is pungent in the air. There's a lot of people enrolled in STEM majors who really just have no aptitude for them, but are fueled by the recession-myth of greater employability and, quite simply, more money. The recent consolidation of CLA and Presser/Tyler School of Art is somewhat troubling. Still, I've yet to have a problem with any of my professors (most are adequate -which is no fault- though some really are good), and advising has always gone pretty smoothly. The journalism program is pretty top-notch and New Media-oriented.

In sum, Temple's alright academically but shit socially. It's depressing but I'm trying to make the best of it, as transferring anywhere else isn't really an option financially-speaking.