Why no questions?

luv2plant · 10-24-2009, 07:48 PM

So, why exactly are there no posts on the Bucknell board?? Does everyone know everything already and nobody has any questions? I ask as a parent whose son will likely be applying here. Makes me a little nervous to see this void though...

TrumpetDad · 10-24-2009, 10:08 PM

And what has been posted here lately has been a bit boring.

My cynical line is that I hope the school is more interesting than this forum.

For the record, we've done an informal visit, led by an acquaintance who currently attends. The campus looked great, even in February.

morrismm · 10-24-2009, 10:50 PM

I have a D at Bucknell and a S who just graduated from Colgate. From what I have read, these two schools have the largest number of applicants of the top LAC's. Colgate's sight also has very few CC entries as of late. I have also been curious about this lack of posts as well.

I've read CC entries on other posts asking about Bucknell, usually asking about other schools as well.

I have a D2 at another school that has a lot of posts. The posts are usually chance requests and questions about the various schools. You have to apply to a specific school when applying.

Prospective students--do not think the lack of questions implies lack of interest. Bucknell has traditionally had a very high number of applicants, much more than they can accept. So if you have questions, ask!

ElectroPennDad · 10-25-2009, 12:58 AM

Ok, I'll ask a question. We live on the West Coast. I have a son at Penn and another son who is considering Lehigh, Lafayette and Bucknell. Can anyone give me their opinions of the differences and relative merit of Lehigh, Lafayette and Bucknell? He is going to major in Electrical Engineering.

morrismm · 10-25-2009, 07:00 PM

Fair enough, you asked. In my opinion, I think Bucknell is the best choice of the three. What a surprise! The student body is similar. None of the 3 are extremely diverse, not for lack of trying at Bucknell, and I assume the other two.

Bucknell and Lafayette ate both considered LAC's. Bucknell is higher ranked by USNews. Both are in the top 50, but Bucknell is 30 vs 35 for Lafayette.

For engineering, Bucknell is highly ranked. USNews ranks it #8 overall nationally for engineering and #6 for electrical engineering. This ranking is for schools that do not confer doctorates. Lafayette is not in the top 10 in either catagory.

Lehigh is considered a national university, i.e. they confer graduate degrees. They are not ranked for engineering in the top 10 for national universities in either category.

Some would say you will get better Professors at Lehigh. I do not agree. Look at the credentials of the faculty at Bucknell and you will be impressed. Some would say you get better research opportunities at Lehigh given its national status. Again I disagree.

Bucknell is dedicated to undergraduate education, so I think the best opportunities for undergraduate research is at Bucknell rather than a school with a major graduate emphasis. Professors get to know their students and offer opportunities for interested motivated students.

You asked, ElectroPennDad. I think Bucknell is definitely the best choice. and no, they do not pay me!! haha

OHKID · 10-25-2009, 08:37 PM

I got a question....

I won't be able to make a campus visit, and this school is a solid match. I would like to apply.

However, I did sign up for their mailing list, and immediately respond to any mailings they send out. I also have a nice collection of reasons why this school is perfect for me, because it really is.

Still, I don't really want to waste $60 on a rejection from lack of interest, especially since my parents are not gung-hoe on this school to begin with.

Should I still apply?

bibbist · 10-26-2009, 06:52 AM

OHKID: Bucknell admissions really values demonstrated interest - and they come right out & say so in their info sessions. Having said that, there must be some way in addition to your email replies that you could show your interest. Perhaps a rep will visit your area at a college fair & you could spend a few minutes chatting with him/her. Why aren't your parents excited about Bucknell?

OHKID · 10-26-2009, 09:41 PM

^Thanks so much for the reply

Anyways, my parents aren't thrilled with Bucknell because they think it will be too expensive (which is definitely a possibility, since our EFC is over 60k and I'm an only kid). They also don't like that it is so far from home, and they are not happy with the fact that there is no seperate business school.

I'll look on their website and look for a rep visit, but it is impossible for me to go to those, as well, because my parents always say that we are too busy and that there is no point in listening to a sales rep talk for an hour. (if you can't tell, they desperately want to pigeon-hole me into a state school that I really hate *cough* Miami of Ohio *cough*).

ElectroPennDad · 10-30-2009, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the reply Morismm. I think Bucknell is an excellent school too. You did a good job and I don't mind a little bias. If we aren't excited about our own schools, how can we expect anyone else to be excited?

I will post back and let you know what my son decided to do.

BucknellBubbly · 10-31-2009, 03:14 PM

I did not visit Bucknell until after I was admitted; obviously the admissions office looks at whether you have been to campus but you can still be admitted without visiting. Especially for students who live farther away, it's understood that not everyone can make it to central PA.

Our school of management is actually transitioning into the College of Management right now, I'm not sure when exactly that's going to happen but it's definitely in the works. But even now, management is the "school of management", and it's a fantastic program.