debsnj

We left New Jersey and went straight to our hotel The Windsor Suites. Our hotel expectations were very low based on the room rate we paid. Boy were we surprised, the hotel was more than "just fine". Our room was very clean, we didn't think we would need a kitchenette, but we ended up really using it. The first night we had dinner at Asia on the Parkway within the hotel. The place was good, the food was decent and we were exhausted. Then we went for a short walk.

Friday we woke up and grabbed a bite at Starbucks. We made our way to the Mutter Museum, we started walking and ended up in a cab because DH misinterpreted the street map. Mutter is a physicians museum and not for the faint of heart. Our daughter loved it !

We ate quickly at Café on the Corner and set out for our Temple University tour. Our daughter loved the college. It is a very vibrant school and their technology department and library were amazing. We were told some awful things about Temple's location. It had been described to me as a "ghetto", inner city or very urban. Definitely not a ghetto, we felt very safe. Maybe because I grew up in NYC, my suburban friends really do not know what they are talking about. My primary complaint about the school is that there is FOOD everywhere. Food trucks, private eateries, fast food, desert places, coffee houses etc etc.

Friday evening we ate in the restaurant's pub, Con Murphy's. Our daughter hated it. Very noisy, the fish and chips was very heavily coated as were their chicken fingers. However, desert was terrific chocolate pecan cheesecake. After dinner we walked around the area.
That night the hotels fire alarm went off at 4:00 am. We waited in our room for about an hour before we got the "all clear". This wasn't the hotel's fault, the fire department did show up. I couldn't believe that another couple left their room and used the stairs to leave. We quickly put some clothes on, grabbed our cell phones and waited for instructions. After awhile when no more fire engines or police came we knew we were safe but we still waited for the all clear.

Saturday DH brought us breakfast from Café on the Corner, again, better than expected. We head out to West Chester University. The trip took forever due to traffic. This college is so different from others we have been to. Very low energy. The town was larger than I expected and very lovely. Our daughter wasn't totally happy with this school but she conceded that she would go there if other plans fell through. They dropped me back at the hotel and they on to went to the Eastern Penitentiary. I ate leftovers and watched tv and slept. They really enjoyed seeing were Al Capone was incarcerated.

The hotel recommended a brick oven pizza restaurant a short walk away. Pizza was good and there were tons of people walking around, quite different than the amount of people on Friday night.

Sunday morning we checked out we had an early meeting at Drexel University so we grabbed bagels at Wawa. Once again, everyone in NJ told me that Drexel is in a "bad neighborhood". I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. This surrounding area was nicer than the area around Temple. Another day of visits, speeches and tours. This school gave us meal coupons. Daughter loved this school, the students were of a much higher caliper than the other schools, so there is a good possibility that she will not get accepted. The tuition is also much higher.

Exhausted we made our way back to NJ.

I have a feeling that I will be spending a lot more time in Philly!

StantonHyde

Glad you liked Philly--I went to school just outside of Philly. Temple and Drexel are not in the best neighborhoods. I knew people who were mugged at both schools. But they are not in the worst neighborhoods either. Depends on your expectations and if you want an urban campus or not. West Chester is in a great location, not sure about the academics.

HappyTrvlr

It's so important for kids to visit the campuses. Good job for making it happen for your daughter.
When we lived in cities, many visiting friends were nervous walking around to our every day locations.
We found cities an exciting place to live..and study.

Amy

I'm glad the visit worked out for you! Temple is indeed an urban location, but it's certainly pretty high energy and it's easy to get into center city and other areas via public transportation. Drexel is a good school, and their co-op program is outstanding. Since they're right next to U of P, it's a real college neighborhood.

I know that mindset of your friends--it's one I've encountered, too-- but I'm glad you are giving your daughter this opportunity.
Best wishes in the selection process!

emalloy

Sounds like a good trip. I hope your daughter gets to go to the school that is the best match for her all around.

I can sympathize with the fire alarm situation, we had just fallen asleep when one went off in a Hilton. It was so loud and obnoxious and the flashing lights were so bright you could not stay in the room. Everyone made their way outside. The fire trucks came. Everyone was standing on the grass when the sprinkler heads popped up, time to run to the parking lot. People who didn't run got sprinkled. It turned out that the sprinklers were timed to go on and the "fire" was smoke from a nearby fireworks display that got sucked into the air conditioning and set the alarm off. Try to get to sleep after that!