just a girl

Just wondering. What are Bucknell's strongest academic programs? Also, what's the campus atmosphere like? I know it's listed as "rural"...for someone who's always been pretty near a city, is it difficult to adjust?

I know hardly anything about it, but I've been told I should look into it. What's it like?

just a girl

77 views and no replies?!
Bucknell has no strengths?!

fighterflea

It's not that it's hard to pick a strength. You don't provide any insight into your interests or any clue as to what you might study.

Bucknell ranks near the top of small liberal arts colleges and it's engineering program has always been considered a strength.

I graduated many years ago but can comment on the 'rural' nature of the setting. I came from the Philadelphia suburbs and have lived in or near big cities ever since graduating. I look back on my time in rural Pennsylvania (Lewisburg is a county seat with a great deal of history and has received recognition as one of the most liveable cities in the U.S. in its size category) with a great deal of fondness for the slower pace of life and the ability to quickly feel at home. It still feels like home whenver I'm back and I'm old enough for all but a few of the faculty and administrators I knew to no longer be there.

I'm sure that some are disappointed that it's not closer to a big city -- I never was. But I got to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Ithaca and even Harrisburg while at Bucknell and I never had a car while there.

just a girl

The "slower pace of life?" Uh-oh. Was it hard for the NYers to get used to life at Bucknell?

Also, I'm interested in math/applied math (not sure if the latter is offered). Any comments on the department? How many math majors are there?...or are they all engineering majors?

Oh, and does Bucknell have a core curriculum, or distribution requirements?

BucknellBubbly

The Common Learning Agenda was recently changed, so while I could tell you about my requirements, I'd have to point you towards the website or the admissions office for more information about the requirements you'd have.

Obviously, there are some city folk who never get into the swing of life in Podunk PA. However, I'd say a large majority of Bucknellians never find Lewisburg lacking enough for it to be a real issue. I'm from Baltimore, and obviously I head for the malls and the city every time I come home, but I absolutely LOVE Lewisburg too, and honestly, the longer I've been at Bucknell the more I miss the small-town atmosphere when I'm gone.

Also, there are trips to NYC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, D.C., etc. through the campus events office and different organizations for a nice change of pace.

I can't really talk about the math department, although I know we do have a mathematics major and my math major friends absolutely love the program.

momma17777

The math Department at Bucknell has always been a strength simply because it is an important part of the Engineering program which a previous poster rightly commented was one of the best undergrad programs in Engineering. The Math Department has won several Putnam awards in its history along with MIT, CalTech, and several Ivies.

As far as the area, yes, it is rural. But it is probably some of the most beautiful country you will even see and the university provides so many diverse activities along with an excellent challenging academic environment, that you will not be bored. Unless, as I was rightly told, "if you are bored, you must be boring". Lots of opportunities if you are willing to try new things and make some great new friends.

I loved my four years there and so did my peers. Many are still my friends 20 years later! You really should visit and see for yourself.

just a girl

Nah, a strong engineering program doesn't imply a strong math program. Engineers aren't required to take nearly so much math as a math major...and nowhere near as much math as I plan to take. Aside from "loving the program," what do Bucknell's math majors say about the department?

Do you get good opportunities for research with profs since it's such a small school?

BucknellBubbly

There is an absurd amount of research; basically if you want to research with a professor and you show even a bit of initiative, you can stay at school over the summer and research! A lot of my friends have done research here, in chemical engineering, psychology, and everything in between, and it's been a rewarding experience for all of them.

morrismm

Strengths of Bucknell are--
-Excellent academics w/ highly qualified professors dedicated to teaching, yet with impressive research credentials in their field of study.
-A beautiful campus in a charming environment w/ state of the art facilities for most/all disciplines.
-A large allegiant alumni base located around the country willing to help fellow Bucknellians.
-A, what seems to be, happy student population very dedicated to their school.
-Division I sports that can make for some exciting games.

just a girl-the math dept. seems to be excellent. Look up the degree backgrounds and research of their faculty. Many are very impressive. And as momma said (lol), they have won several Putnam awards, up against the best of the best in this country.

morrismm

oh, and in case you are interested in ibanking, I found this on another thread.

fighterflea

For just a girl, you might look into McGill Univ. in Montreal and the Univ. of Toronto for large schools with excellent reputations in major cities for N.Y.ers lookong to go away to school. Canadian higher education offers some cost benefits as well.

TrumpetDad

Click Bucknell University Information, Academics, Admissions, Financial Aid, Students, Athletics, Alumni, History, Campus, Students, Faculty, Address, and Tuition - a StateUniversity.com profile

...then scroll down to see the number of math majors they graduated in a recent year.