Hey, I have narrowed my college search to Elon and Bucknell University. My college experience hinged on my ability to receive financial aid and merit scholarships and was lucky to receive funding from both of these institutions. Other than the price difference, I was hoping people could share their opinions of the two schools to help me narrow my decision? I would be enrolling as an undecided student in terms of major.
*I understand the Bucknell is technically the “better” school as it is harder to get into. However, Elon is known for their various opportunities and connections. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
I like Elons minimester in January that affords a lot of opportunity. Also at this state it also makes sense to look at the financial health of each university
currently undecided. I’m interested in the humanities as much as I am the sciences. However, I do know that I what to minor at least in Chinese. Thank you for the help!
My son is an Elon freshman. He loves it. I do know that for undecided students, I believe they have a specific class to take, to help them explore. Elon also has strong mentoring and advising which is one reason my S chose it. It is true that Elon’s stats and admit rates are lower than others, but Elon is up and coming in many ways, gaining some national recognition and rising in the ranks. Elon’s claim to fame is “engaged learning” and they have a very high ranked (#2?) study abroad program.
I’ve heard good things about Bucknell too, but we didn’t look closely. I’m trying to remember if that was one where Greek life was a large part of the social scene, and that is why we ruled it out from the start? (My S isn’t interested in that).
Dig into the details of those aid packages. Are they solely need-based, or are there merit components? If there is a merit component, are you required to maintain a specific GPA?
Catalog listings indicate that Bucknell Chinese language courses go up to the 10th semester, but schedules suggest that only up to the 4th semester is regularly offered.
Catalog listings indicate that Elon Chinese language courses go up to the 5th semester. You may want to investigate up to what level is regularly offered.
Bucknell has a higher participation in fraternities and sororities than Elon.
@hendaddpigu : Hi, I am a freshman at Bucknell. I could not imagine myself anywhere else. The academics are challenging but the professors are very supportive. The campus is rural but very welcoming. Greek life is big part of social scene. I plan to pledge next year - we can’t pledge till sophomore year which I think is a good thing because it gives you a chance to make friends through dorms, clubs and classes. I have made some very close friends - some are and some are not going Greek next year.
The misconception of Greek life, at least at Bucknell, is that its all encompassing. This is not the case. I plan on continuing playing on the club field hockey team, participating in relay for life and women in finance club (the majority of members in these clubs are also in sororities.)
The alumni are very active. All freshman regardless of major can participate in an alumni mentoring program exclusive for freshman. I plan to major in finance or economics and minor in Italian Studies . My mentor is a 2018 grad working at JPMorgan. We email each other often and its been a big help.
One of the best things about Bucknell is it forces you to take risks. I was put in an theater class first semester. I was terrified to get in front of the class and perform but after awhile my shyness and stage fright subsided and I really got into it. This semester I am taking economics and accounting but also biology and anthropology. Its an awesome mix of classes.
Due to Covid-19, we have been remote learning since middle of March. I miss everything about being on campus but we are making the best of it. Professors and administration have been great during this crisis.
Good luck and feel free to to contact me with any questions.
Hey, I’m a current sophomore at Elon. I would not recommend coming here. Firstly, there is no minor in Chinese here. I took a few courses of Chinese but the only minor close to it is Asian studies, which is basically just a bunch of Asian literature courses.
I am in the business school so I can’t speak directly for the humanities programs. Most of my friends are in the College of Arts and Sciences and they say it’s really easy. Elon as a whole is not very challenging but most students slack off and are fine with Bs. It is not a work hard play hard mentality here - it’s really only play hard.
I would highly recommend Bucknell. You will receive a better education, be in a much much better location for finding a job, and it will be a nicer mix of kids. Everyone at Elon is rich and snotty.
I think every school has it’s share of jerks but its not fair to generalize an entire school. I am a student at Bucknell and my brother is in the business school at Elon. He works very hard and has an internship at a major NYC bank this summer that just notified him that it will be done remotely. The only complaint he has about Elon is he doesn’t like the mid winter 3 week class - he feels he never gets a break from school.
@1stTimeThruMom : He is a Business Fellow. He has found a solid group of friends and really enjoys Elon. He has a demanding schedule. He elected not to go Greek - most of social life is centered with his biz school classmates. He claims Elon is more clique than Bucknell where in his words “everyone is Ray Bucknell”. I have never visited Elon
Thank you. I have only heard good things about the Fellows program, which unfortunately my son was not accepted to despite SATs of 1440. He did not take the app process seriously and I am getting the sense he will not have the right kind of opportunities without being in the program. I emailed admissions to ask if you can join later but no response. He is planning to decline acceptance to Elon.
@1stTimeThruMom I was heavily considering applying to be a business fellow my freshman/sophomore year despite being rejected my senior year of high school. I know the program director and have a lot of friends in the program. They are very strict about not accepting laterals. Just like I mentioned Elon is great if you’re in the Business Fellows program but other than that I don’t think it’s worth it.
Also for some who are deciding about Elon that point about each University’s financial health is important. Elon has a relatively low endowment and does not give out much aid. I have a friend who works in the financial aid department and she said that Elon is suffering a little financially. With that being said, many students are on no aid or little aid because they median income is $250,000. My family has significant financial need yet we are still paying half the tuition price. Just something to think about as Elon’s endowment is a quarter of Bucknell’s endowment, if you’re concerned about finances.
Is there any chance you may want to go into theatre, education, broadcast television or physical therapy? If so, Elon is best. But for business and general undecided I think it is hard to beat a Bucknell education, all things being equal.
FWIW … I met two lovely women at fellows weekend who were lateral transfers into the business fellows program. I think the program is tough and there is some drop-out after the first year.