During the country’s economic crisis, prospective students are choosing Temple and other state schools that have inexpensive tuition rates compared to private institutions.
Incoming freshman film and media arts major Sean O’Brien said he chose Temple because of its price tag.
“I never really felt like I had another choice because Temple has the only major film program in the state, and my parents aren’t paying out-of-state tuition,” he said.
Finding employment after graduating college is another pressure facing the incoming class of 2013.
Aidan McEneaney, an incoming freshman marketing major, said, “new college grads have the advantage of being young,” as well as lower pay expectations than older job seekers.
O’Brien isn’t letting current economic conditions affect his future career outlook.
“I think that in time, it won’t be so hard to find jobs, especially by the time I graduate,” he said.
Though paying college tuition is expensive, some students are excited about their transitions from high school to college.
“I think it’s sort of like an investment. The more I put into it, the more I can receive from it,” said incoming freshman Jimmy McGarvey, who plans to major in secondary education.
Johnny Archer, a senior journalism major, agrees and encourages students to involve themselves with activities or internships pertaining to their majors early on.
“The worst thing that can happen is a student went through four or five years of higher education only to find out they hate the career they are about to pursue,” he said. “Getting involved helps students formulate whether they are heading in the right direction.”
While senior advertising major John O’Rourke said an internship is the best learning experience for college students, learning for four years at Temple taught him to stay away from extracurricular activities.
“Don’t worry about being involved in Temple clubs. There are more rewarding alternatives,” he said. “Get into the city, meet people who matter, and get an internship [as soon as possible],” he said.
Attending college is not just about academics for soon-to-be freshman biology major Taylor Whitson, creator of the Temple Class of 2013 Facebook group.
“In high school, having taken five [Advanced Placement courses] my junior year and never missing a party, I think I’m pretty good at [time management],” Whitson said. “Study hard Sunday through Thursday, party hard Friday and Saturday.”
Senior education major Mike Adams said he wants to remind freshmen that college is the time to take control of their lives.
“Be willing to be the person you’ve always wanted to be because this is a new beginning and the start of a new life,” he said.
Still, most high school students said they are primarily focused on graduating high school and enjoying a relaxing summer.
“I don’t know exactly what to expect. I’m pretty much waiting to get there and see what it’s like and not dwelling on what I think it will be like,” McEneaney said.
But others, like prospective freshman Jewelle Williams, are enthusiastic about the new environment, leaving home and enjoying parental freedom.
“I’m just curious to know what true freedom will be like. I am currently undecided, but I believe that truly gives me a chance to explore new passions and interests that I have never before known,” she said.
Tyler Rhubright, an incoming freshman international business administration major, said he expects his time at Temple to be some of the best years of his life.
“I think that college is a place where you learn a lot of life lessons,” he said. “All the stuff that I will learn at Temple will most likely stick with me for life.”
Matt Petrillo can be reached at mattp@temple.edu.
FYI –
Matt and his father run a slumlord business. On more than one occasion they have been involved with taking renter’s money and acting dishonestly in their leases.
I suggest you look them up before dealing with them.