<p>I want to do engineering at Bucknell, however my parents feel that Georgia Tech is better. Which is probably true rankings wise, but I feel I’ll learn more with the small setting of Bucknell and will be much more successful because of the strong alumni network. I also want to maintain a high GPA so i can go to an ivy league for my mba. Getting a high GPA is much harder at Tech.
Any other reasons that would convince my parents?</p>
<p>Bucknell’s engineering program is very highly ranked for schools that are mainly undergraduate. The smaller classes and more personal involvement with professors at the undergraduate level allows the student to develop a strong, perhaps superior, foundation to excel at a larger, research oriented grad school.</p>
<p>The courses will be as challenging as Georgia Tech, but professors may be more accessible and courses will be less self taught. There is probably more opportunity for doing research with a professor as an undergrad that often isn’t an option at a larger research school.</p>
<p>I do not think that your GPA will be any higher at Bucknell. It is a tough school and in the top 30 of liberal arts schools in the nation. As an alumnae, I can tell you that the engineers work very hard and land great jobs and graduate school positions at prestigious universities. It may be cheaper to attend Georgia Tech.</p>
<p>It’s important to consider campus life and the overall environment in ADDITION to the strength of the academic programs. Besides the work in the classroom, think about how you like to spend your free time and what other ways to you want to continue to grow as you reach adulthood. Is a campus visit at both Bucknell and Georgia Tech feasible?</p>
<p>Do you really think the engineering program at Georgia Tech is more demanding than Bucknell’s? My friends who were engineering majors were challenged every day–and they did land fantastic jobs after graduation. Bucknell is challenging and you will work very hard and have close contact with your instructors. I was very happy with the sciences at Bucknell and I was prepared well for medical school there. I think if you visit the campus you will be impressed.</p>
<p>Does Bucknell have research opportunities for their engineering students?</p>
<p>There are ample opportunities for research in engineering and almost every other discipline</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/academics/research-opportunities/undergraduate-research”>http://www.bucknell.edu/academics/research-opportunities/undergraduate-research</a></p>
<p>D (CivE grad) did research the summer after her Freshman year, ILTM after her sophomore year (<a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/ILTM”>http://www.bucknell.edu/ILTM</a>) followed by an internship, and a another internship after junior year. She had a great job waiting for her after graduation. About research - all a student needs to do is reach out, and generally they can find something.</p>
<p>What is the cost situation for you? That could be driving a lot of your parent’s concerns, and justifiably so if they are paying most of the cost for your education.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to attend accepted student days if possible on both campuses, and take your parents with you if you can. That can really sell a parent on a campus if they weren’t sure; even if you went on a day visit before, the longer time on campus is really eye opening. You can honestly say at that point that you have given both schools a very good look. Heck, you might change your mind after those visits – one of my kids switched her preference last year after going to accepted student visits at her top 3 colleges, and is really glad now that she did.</p>
<p>For engineers, ranking isn’t a huge deal – you WILL get a good job when you graduate if you are a good student at either school.</p>
<p>@eastcoastboy you are probably at your decision point. One recommendation is don’t include any concern about GPA in your decision-making. Grad schools know which schools have higher average GPAs and at which schools it is more difficult to maintain a high GPA. Both are great schools, you will be in a good place whatever you choose.</p>
<p>Hello @eastcoastboy! I just sent almost this exact response to a similar feed on the Bucknell forum but it appears to answer some of your question so I thought it couldn’t hurt to repost. </p>
<p>Bucknell is currently ranked as number 32 on US News and World Reports list of Liberal Arts schools. It is hands down one of the best universities in the country and there is no doubt you will receive a challenging and worthwhile education. The engineering program on campus is extremely strong and is an ideal school for any student wanting explore any field of engineering. I recommend you try to visit Bucknell through our A Day in the Life program that will allow you to meet current engineering students and faculty as well as sit in on a class and get a tour of the engineering facilities.</p>
<p>According to the Princeton Review, we have a 9:1 student faculty ratio which honestly sounds just about right. I have become close with many faculty members and these connections not only help inside but also outside the classroom. Students also have many opportunities, especially in engineering, to work with professors on projects outside of the classroom. While Bucknell is not a research institution, it does provide students with that experience if they so desire. I have had many friends do year long research projects and some have spent summers on campus to work with professors. I know for many students, these opportunities have been highlights of their time here. In addition, the smaller size of the student body allows for you to find the right reasearch project for you in a much less competitive environment. </p>
<p>Bucknell has one of the strongest alumni networks in the country and many students have no problem finding internship or job opportunities. Many engineering students have internships during their summers after their sophomore and junior years. We have several career and internship fairs every semester with many big companies (i.e. GE, Lutron, Dow Chemical) that regularly recruit Bucknell grads. For me, this was on of the deciding factors for attending Bucknell and as I approach my final year, I rest very comfortably knowing that this network exists. The Career center is very active on campus and can help you not only find jobs and internships but also to practice interview schools, research grad schools, and to improve your resume. The reason why you probably were sent that link is because that is the best answer we can give: a highly efficient and engaged career center that will work with you throughout every step of your college career and beyond.</p>
<p>WHAT YOU’LL MISS: A lot, you will miss a lot. Many are quick to judge Bucknell because of its small size and rural location but for me, these are highlights. Bucknell is a close community that students are constantly and fully engaged in. You’ll miss the opportunity to not only be involved in many clubs and organizations but to also be a leader in several organizations. Unlike big state schools, students at Bucknell are active leaders and members. Because of this, you’ll not only have many opportunities to make friends and enjoy doing the activities you love to do but you’ll also have the chance to build leadership and teamwork skills in several organizations and environments.</p>
<p>Yes Greek Life here is big but it is not over powering or dominating. Some quickly exaggerate and over-hype it’s influence but if a student doesn’t want to go Greek, they don’t need to go Greek to still have an amazing life at Bucknell. The school offers endless programing and entertainment all year round that students can not only attend but help plan and set up. Whatever you want to do social at Bucknell, you’ll find or you’ll be given the opportunity to create. I have many friends at large state schools and while they were given the same “pitch” about social life, they have found it very difficult with such a large student body. I think you’ll find the social side of Bucknell to be very welcoming and exciting. I’ll attach a link below as an example.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any questions and feel free to message me too! I don’t know much about Georgia Tech but I do know a lot about Bucknell and my friends’ experiences at larger, comparable state schools. I’ve given some basic links below which you might have already seen, but since I referenced them I thought it couldn’t hurt. Good luck with your choice and 'Ray Bucknell.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/news-and-media/current-news/2014/april/late-night-klarc.html”>http://www.bucknell.edu/news-and-media/current-news/2014/april/late-night-klarc.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“Bucknell University - The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews”>http://www.princetonreview.com/bucknelluniversity.aspx</a></p>
<p><a href=“Plan a Visit to Bucknell University | Lewisburg, PA”>http://www.bucknell.edu/Visit</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bucknell-university-3238”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bucknell-university-3238</a></p>
<p>I am an international student planning to apply ED1 in Bucknell .I wanted to know whether Bucknell is generous on financial aid to international students? </p>