a new 'ask a recent graduate your bucknell questions' thread...

[Hoopsplaya238]

Is there anywhere to park a car on or nearby campus your freshman year?

[ilmor]

You're not allowed to have a car during your first year.

[Hoopsplaya238]

but is there anywhere nearby to park it off campus?

[Whistle Pig]

not without risking being caught. thinking this way is not a good thing. 1st it reveals character, or lack of it, and we've all been there, thinking the rules don't apply to "me." they're for the other dudes, right? no, they're for you.

more practically, you're action will be found out, and you'll be identified as such. not cool. don't do it.

if you have some kind of special need, talk to the powers that be. they'll help you.

[ericatbucknell]

but is there anywhere nearby to park it off campus?

technically, yes. however, i have no idea where you would move it on street sweeping days and im not going to tell you where it is.

the bigger issue, though, is that 'illegally' having a car as a freshman is probably not going to sit well with your ra, who will inevitably overhear someone on your hall talking about it. ras arent out to get you, but i do imagine that this is something that would be taken somewhat seriously due to both the practical implications of other freshmen getting the same idea and the blatant disrespect for rules it shows. as such, i wouldnt be surprised to see someone lose future parking privileges when 'found out.'

[ericatbucknell]

Did you ever work in the admissions office or by some other means know what the admissions officers like to see?

no, i have no formal experience with admissions beyond volunteering for things like accepted students days and fall open houses.

i would think that you have done well in your actions, however. the key points seem to be informing the school of new accomplishments and stressing that you will enroll if accepted without getting on some VERY busy peoples nerves.

my only other suggestion for the upcoming weeks would be to contact someone in admissions directly if (and ONLY IF) you have communicated with him or her extensively in the past. come the beginning of may, i might make an additional contact regardless.

good luck!

[dawglb]

I also heard that you stand the chance to lose your housing selection process, even if block booking with friends. Frankly, you don’t need a car freshman year! If you need to get to Wal-Mart or anywhere else locally, there are always options. Trust us, and don’t risk it!

[ericatbucknell]

last, a general comment on financial aid:

i would strongly recommend that anyone still looking for an improvement in financial aid do his or her best to physically meet with someone in the bucknell finaid office.

short of that, a formal request in writing (with accompanying pertinent information) FOLLOWED by a telephone call is probably going to get someone further than a phone call alone.

this is the process i took when getting my aid improved several years ago, as suggested by a finaid officer with whom i spoke at accepted students day. we sent a formal written request that day, contacted them on the phone on tuesday and had a new offer by the end of the week. so it is (or at least was) possible.

good luck!

[Whistle Pig]

Why should one need to do that? either the numbers are the truth or they're not. are you saying it's important to get an enhanced FA package one should "schmooze" the FA officers at BU?

I really don't get this one? Why would a student focused place require/expect or even indirectly encourage additional sacrifice from students obviously already in need of financial help and certainly not needing to be spending more to get there for a face-to-face with a FA officer AFTER they've been accepted and awarded.

Splain please, lucy? This really is baffling.

[SeattleBU]

I second ericatbucknell's feedback for financial aid. A few people in the BU class of 2012 wrote or met with a financial aid officer. Granted, some did not benefit, but a couple of people's financial aid packages were enhanced. One student had her aid package increased $5,000. If you have legitimate circumstances, I say go for it (at least write)--you've nothing substantial to lose.

[Hoopsplaya238]

ok i understand the point your making and i wont bring one...but can someone tell me the point of prohibiting freshman from bringing cars? Some other colleges i visited actually allowed it. I dont see the point in this rule?

[dawglb]

Hey Hoops,

With parents in higher education, I’ve had the chance to be on a handful of campuses. Not one allowed freshman to have cars on campus. Now, mind you, parking situations on every campus are different, and relative.

Bucknell has a target incoming freshman class of 925 students. Let’s say Bucknell allowed freshman to have cars on campus. If a mere 50 percent brought cars to campus, the University would need to provide an additional 460+ parking spots. And that’s a ridiculously conservative 50 percent. Point made.

There’s always the other argument, which is, especially in your first few weeks of college, not facilitating the ability to rush home because of the girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.

[one2go]

Another question-I know the university sponsors a shuttle to and from the Harrisburg airport. Is that a private company? There are a couple of us from the same area going to Bucknell, and we thought it might be easier to hire our own transportation especially since we plan to carry more than the allowed: one suitcase and one carry-on at least this August.

[breckw]

i'm pretty sure it's a private company because it ONLY runs at the start and end of breaks (small exception: they were running them for the open house and if you do an overnight visit). i'm not sure how it'll work in the fall with everyone bringing a ton of stuff, but i would think it would be easier to get your own transportation.

my fam is dropping me off, so we're gonna be renting a car (read: a large suv). if you're just going by yourself though or with some friends, you can't rent a car, but i used At Your Service Limo (At Your Service Limo - Animated Intro) this past weekend when i visited campus. it was pretty affordable and it looks like they have larger cars for transporting lots of stuff...

hope that helps

[mavman100]

How is the intellectual atmosphere at Bucknell?