Sure, what was your final deciding factor to choose Temple over other schools?
Two main things for me. They gave me a full scholarship and I want to stay in Philly after I graduate. I got into “better” schools (BU, BC, GW, W&M) but I realized that Temple would be the best to help me find a job in Philly, with its rep and connections here. Also, it would have been really hard to turn down all of that money. After being here for 1.5 semesters, if I had to make the decision minus any money, I think I might have made the same. Tuition for in-state is still crazy cheap, and it’s a great school if you want to stay in the area.
What's it like living in Philly?
I love Philly so much. It’s just so accessible. I live in Center City, and there is just so much to do. So many bars, restaurants, museums, parks, stores. And the best is that you can walk everywhere in Center City. For school, I just hop on the Broad St. line, and it’s super easy. Center City is also pretty safe, especially if you stay in the areas with night life. There are always cars driving around.
(I’m originally from the burbs outside the city, but before this year, I didn’t visit too much.)
Do you have any concerns re: safety at night? I've been there before, both during the day and nighttime, and I also live in Philadelphia, so I am familiar with the campus (I know the surrounding area is not-so-nice, but the campus is well-lit, etc.). My only concern is if, say, I study at the library or go to the gym late at night, and I have to take the subway back home. What is your take on all of this?
I don’t think I’ve actually been on campus past 6 or so. However, I know people who stay in the library till midnight. As a female, I definitely wouldn’t feel safe taking the subway back home alone past 7:00/8:00 or so. If I had to, I would definitely take the C bus home or a cab or something like that. There are some guys that walk home at night. I think most of the people I know who stay late take regional trains home or drive to campus. If you don't have a car, you could probably find friends who do, or find people who also live in center city to travel home with.
(Or you could be one of the few who just basically live in the library. I learned there's apparently a shower in the girl's bathroom on the fifth floor because someone I know used it last semester during finals.)
What is the friendliness/atmosphere like with the student body? Do students spend a lot of their (free) time with each other? I've heard a few random things, such as Temple Law students are older, many with families, and that, since everyone commutes, that there is not really a tight-knit community. Is that the case?
In my section, only two people have kids, and only four more who are just married. I’d say the average age in my section is around 24-25, so people are still pretty young without families of their own. There is definitely a friendly atmosphere, and people definitely hang out after school together. It is somewhat clique-y, but that’s just because some people are more into bars/clubs/parties and some people would rather just chill. And there is overlap within the groups. I think people are competitive, but it’s more internal. Almost everyone is willing to help out others. You can always get notes from people if you miss class, and almost everyone found a study group.
) so I don't know if there are any burning questions anyone has.
