saf

My daughter is applying to Bucknell and loved it when we visited. However, it is so different from the other schools where she is applying. She tends to like more urban/suburban, somewhat larger schools. This is the only rural LAC that interets her.

After reading the recent thread about schools with a large "drinking culture" Bucknell seems to have all the stereotypical criteria. Are there any students or parents of students who can give me realistic info about this. I realize there is drinking at all schools, and I'm sure my daughter will enjoy attending some parties,etc. But I know she wants much more than that for a social scene.

bibbist

My son is a freshman, and very happy at Bucknell. He is invigorated and kept busy by his classes - and is getting fabulous grades. His dorm is great (the a/c was a blessing early on!) and his hall really bonded during orientation. He is on a club sport team that practices at least twice a week, and plays matches frequently as well. Additionally, he's writing for one of the papers & will have a campus job in the spring. In sum, he's busy!! In his free time, he has gone to some fraternity parties (i guess freshman boys are low on the invitation list). He has also gone to a couple of concerts, and has been invited to parties held off campus and in other dorms. He has also had plenty of "boring" weekend nights when he & his buddies listen just hang around their rooms. While I am quite sure drinking is going on at most if not all of these events, I have only once heard him talk about things getting out of hand - and that was very early on in the year. It seems to me that the kids he hangs around with are happy to go see a movie/performance on campus, or go to a party, or hang with hallmates listening to music. Drinking may or may not happen - and it doesn't seem to be the focus. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are always options on campus for the students who want to drink and for those who don't. As you brilliantly pointed out, there is drinking on most campuses. I hope your daughter finds the perfect school for her - I know Bucknell is perfect for my son. Hope this helped!

purplegirl

My D1 is a sophmore. Doesn't drink, never did and has friends who are the same. There are non-alcoholic events going on every weekend, whether it's a concert, comedian, themed events in the sports arena, bands in uptown, movies, etc. She said the frat parties are loaded with beer, not alot of drunks but when she goes it's when the frats are hosting bands or theme parties. She doesn't stay long because the crowds are a bit too much but she certainly seems to be thriving on all of her other choices. She joined a soriority and has met many upperclassman that don't drink and have plenty of fun. Sometimes my D goes to events sponsered by Choice and Calvin and Hobbs group. Bucknell does a fantastic job of keeping the campus thriving so the kids can be busy even if they never see the inside of a frat house. Your daughter would love Bucknell. There are plenty of clubs, bands, sports, dorm events, etc. The kids who don't drink find each other as do the kids who drink. My D never feels pressured about it. Bucknell has alot of smart kids who value their education too so I think the drinking stereotype is over emphasized. Good luck.

andrews123

I'll just chime in - my son is applying to Bucknell as well, and he doesn't drink. Having non-alcoholic weekend choices does concern us - my concern is he'll be BORED to tears on weekends. Good to hear there are like minded parents of smart kids trying to think through the dilemma, and that their kids are thriving while alcohol free.

BucknellBubbly

I don't drink and I can assure you that there is always an absurd amount to do. I've maybe had a total of 4 nights in my last 2 and a half years here where we could be called bored. I do go to parties where there is alcohol and I always enjoy myself even if I'm the only sober person in the room, but I also have friends who don't drink and choose to find other activities that don't involve alcohol at all (and they find them easily). I will also mention that I am in a sorority and I have other sisters who don't drink, and I know people in other sororities and in fraternities who don't drink and are still active and accepted members.

Honestly, Bucknell does have a "work hard, play hard" atmosphere and there is a lot of alcohol. However, I really haven't ever met someone who has been judgemental or unaccepting of my sobriety. I get "wow, that's so cool!" or "how do you do it?" but I never feel pressured to drink or like people are looking down on me or anything because I do not choose to partake.

I would recommend the CHOICE (Choosing Healthy Options In a College Environment, aka substance-free) residential program; it's a really good way to meet like-minded students and be provided with alternate activities to drinking, and there really isn't a stigma or anything like that attached. There is also C.A.L.V.I.N. & H.O.B.B.E.S., a student organization with a similar goal.

thenz0

I am a first year at Bucknell and I would have to say that going into CHOICE is a bad move. I know people that don't drink and just party with everyone else as if nothing was different, but being in CHOICE has a label that no person really wants to have.
As to the social scene; a first year won't have the greatest time due to the fact that Bucknell doesn't allow students to rush their first year, but that is not to say that there are many events that Bucknell organizes on campus that are entertaining. Maroon 5 recently came to Bucknell and events like BU after dark and comedians like Demetri Martin coming every so often makes it so that weekends are never really "boring". You just have to take the initiative and go find something to do.