Dean of Admissions
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-577-1101
Fax: 570-577-3538
E-mail: admissions@bucknell.edu
COSTS:
Tuition:
$35,592
Room and Board:
$7,872
Fees, books, misc.:
$1,000
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Overview
As one of the top private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Bucknell University offers its students a solid foundation in the arts and sciences. Unlike many liberal arts schools, however, Bucknell provides an unusual array of choices for its students. From traditional majors such as history, economics, and anthropology to programs in animal behavior, environmental studies, Japanese and East Asian studies, and international relations and from studies in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences to professionally oriented programs in engineering, education, business, and music, Bucknell students have many more options than are usually found in a school of 3,350 students. At the same time, Bucknell students enjoy the special attention usually associated with small, private colleges. Professors take time to know their students personally, both in and out of the classroom.
Bucknell attracts students from throughout the United States and abroad. Most live on campus in the residence halls and in special interest houses, such as the African-American Studies House. There are several recently completed residence halls on campus.
Location and Community
Students and faculty members study together in what has been described as one of the most beautiful campuses in the East. Located in central Pennsylvania in the scenic Susquehanna River valley, Bucknell is within 3 to 4 hours of most of the major Eastern cities, including New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Academic Life
Although requirements for each degree vary, all students are required to successfully complete three writing courses. Special programs are offered to encourage each student's personal and intellectual development. Examples are the first-year foundation seminars, an introductory engineering course open to students in the College of Arts and Sciences, an honors program, and the Residential Colleges. The Residential Colleges combine classroom and out-of-class activities, with each college centered on a theme: the arts, humanities, global affairs, environmental issues, social justice, or society and technology.
Bucknell prepares students for the challenges of the twenty-first century. Whether students plan to begin their careers immediately after graduating or go on to professional or graduate schools, professors strive to help them to use their skills and talents, to reason and comprehend, and to interact and communicate with global citizens in an increasingly complex society.
Nearly 45 percent of each graduating class has spent one or two semesters studying on approved programs in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Central or South America. Bucknell sponsors four of its own programs in England, France, Spain, and Barbados and is affiliated with programs worldwide. About 10 percent of those studying off campus attend internship programs in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. All institutional financial aid is portable for off-campus study.
Bucknell has 291 full-time and 19 part-time members on the teaching faculty; 96 percent hold doctorates or appropriate terminal degrees. The student-faculty ratio is 11.4:1. The most celebrated professors teach freshmen as well as advanced students; no classes are taught by graduate students.
Although professors consider teaching to be their first priority, they also find time to pursue their own scholarly work. Students are often involved in faculty members' research and special projects, which sometimes leads to joint publications or presentations at professional meetings.
Majors Offered:
Bucknell offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in animal behavior, anthropology, art, art history, biology, chemistry, classics (Greek and Latin), comparative humanities, computer science, East Asian studies (China or Japan), economics, education, English, environmental studies, French, geography, geology/ environmental geology, German, history, international relations, Latin American studies, mathematics, music (music composition, music education, music history, and performance), philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religion, Russian, sociology (general, human services, and legal studies), Spanish, theater, and women's and gender studies; the Bachelor of Music degree; the Bachelor of Science degree in animal behavior, biology, cell biology and biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, engineering (biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental, computer science, electrical, and mechanical), environmental geology, environmental studies, mathematics, and physics; the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in accounting and management; and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees in early childhood development, elementary education, and secondary education. A five-year combined curriculum leads to the B.S. in an engineering field and a B.A. in another discipline.
Facilities and Resources
Bucknell provides unusually fine facilities to students, including a recently completed music building and psychology/geology center; a new athletics and recreation center that includes a new fitness center, pool, and 4,000-seat arena; an outstanding library; a performing arts center with a 1,200-seat concert hall; and computer labs throughout the campus. Most classrooms are technology enabled, and many serve as “electronic classrooms,” which include a computer for each student. Virtually all public areas of the campus (including many “green spaces”) are served by the campuswide wireless network. All student residences are connected to the residential network, featuring a high-speed data connection for each student.
Campus Life
Students spend time outside the classroom in a wide variety of activities, choosing from more than 150 clubs and organizations.They work on one of the several student newspapers or the radio station; are active in student government; help with community volunteer projects; perform with one of the music, drama, and dance groups; or join one of the twelve fraternities or seven sororities. Students also enjoy a new alcohol-free nightclub on campus
The Bucknell Student Government represents the student body, working with the faculty and administration to achieve student goals. It also dispenses funds for most student clubs and organizations. Its representatives serve on standing committees of the Board of Trustees and other University governance groups.
Sports / Varsity Athletics
A large number of students participate in intramural and intercollegiate athletics. Bucknell's student-athletes are among the finest anywhere. They bring recognition and honor to the 27 men's and women's teams that make up our varsity program. Bucknell competes with top-notch schools in the Patriot League — American, Army, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, and Navy — in NCAA Division I sports (football competes in Division I-AA).
Expenses
The cost of tuition and fees is $39,660, including $35,592 for tuition, $6872 for room and board, and $196 for student fees.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
More than $24.3 million in financial aid was awarded to first-year applicants in fall 2005, with an average award of $22,000, which includes scholarships, loans and part-time jobs. Financial aid applicants must file the Financial Aid PROFILE with the College Scholarship Service before January 1.
Admission Requirements / Application
Admission decisions focus on the quality of preparation as demonstrated by achievement in rigorous high school courses, SAT I or ACT scores, talent and contribution to school or community, and evidence of strong character and integrity. The University actively seeks qualified students from throughout the United States and abroad.
Applications should be filed before January 1 of the senior year in high school for notification by March 25. SAT I or ACT results must be submitted before March 1. Early decision candidates may apply for Early Decision–Round One consideration by November 15 or Early Decision–Round Two consideration by January 1. Applications for transfer students should be submitted by April 1 for studies beginning in the following fall and by December 1 for the spring semester.
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