How to strengthen your Temple application

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Best application round for you

EA gives you an early decision without a binding commitment. Same or slightly better odds than RD.

What Temple weights most

Temple values applicants who are academically prepared for a large urban research university but who also show clear, practical interests tied to Philadelphia and career-focused programs. Strong fit signals are demonstrated intent for Fox Business, Tyler School of Art, the School of Media and Communication, or Education, plus hands-on experience like internships, city volunteer work, or portfolio projects. They are more forgiving on single weak grades or lower test scores if the application shows upward trends, concrete extracurriculars, and clear career focus, but they expect steady core-course rigor, especially in intended majors with limited capacity.

Supplemental essay strategy

For Temple's why-us or supplemental prompts, name specific Philadelphia resources and programs: Fox’s experiential learning centers, Temple’s community partnerships, the Ambler campus for environmental/plant programs, or the journalism opportunities at Philadelphia newsrooms and Klein College. Tie one or two concrete offerings to your past work and immediate plans - cite a faculty lab, a clinic, a Temple-run internship, or a local partnership - and explain how Temple’s location and applied curriculum will advance a defined career goal.

Recommended competitions

Where to focus next

If you only have time for one thing this month, do this:

1. Read 2 admitted-student essays from Temple (search official admissions site or Reddit r/temple). Notice the level of specificity — that's the bar.
2. Write the ‘why this school’ supplement first, before anything else. If you can't fill 250 words with school-specific reasons, pick a different school.
3. Find one current student to ask about their experience — admissions offices often connect prospective applicants with current students. The follow-up email becomes specific essay material.