<p>Hi everyone,
I have to decided between the attending either Bucknell University or Amherst College in the next two days. I know the choice seems obvious to attend amherst for its academic reputation but I loved the feel I got at Bucknell and the idea of fraternities and the social aspect of college seem to be so much stronger their. I want to go to Amherst becuase of its reputation and the success it could lead to down the road but at the same time I want to enjoy "the best four years of my life" and it isn't as if Bucknell is weak academically. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. I couldn't be more torn. Also I am very passionate about chemistry and business when it comes to what the schools offer if any of you can touch on that as well. </p>
<p>Putting aside things like cost (which could change the answer, obviously):</p>
<p>I think Amherst’s reputation is enough better that if it’s at all close, it’s the way you should go. Bucknell is a fine school, but it’s reputation is not in Amherst’s class at all.</p>
<p>Amherst, with the 5 college consortium, is a much better college town than Lewisburg.
Not that I think that location a huge factor, but my son felt Bucknell was way too remote for his tastes. He also though there was too much of a Greek life emphasis.
So are you thinking there aren’t enough parties at Amherst?
Did you post your dilemma in the Amherst forum and the Bucknell one too?</p>
<p>IMHO, I think people put a little too much stock into a college’s reputation. If you’re an intelligent and ambitious individual (which your admission to Amherst appears to confirm), you will excel in your studies and accomplish the goals you set for yourself regardless of the institution you attend. For example, I know 3 recently minted Bucknell grads who landed at jobs at highly respected software companies (2 at Amazon and 1 at Google). Bucknell’s reputation certainly isn’t on par with the likes of Stanford or MIT (particularly in computer science), and yet those individuals were able to obtain these coveted jobs because they were innately talented and hard working. At the end of the day, you’re going to be judged on your own merits and not the prestige of the college you attended, although going to a reputable institution will make getting your foot in the door easier. If cost is no issue, you should focus on where you think you’ll fit in better.</p>
<p>With that being said…if you’re looking for an active social scene, Bucknell has no shortage of parties. You honestly can find somewhere to party every day of the week. If you’re looking for an intellectual atmosphere, Bucknell probably isn’t what you’re looking for. A good majority of Bucknell students tend to be career driven, and as a result, they learn for the sake of improving their post-graduation prospects rather than for the sake of learning.</p>
If you’re looking for a rip-roaring toga party scene, now may not be the best time for Amherst as they are currently trying to live down a scandal involving an off-campus fraternity. Things are looking to be very PC there for the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>You really need to think about the sort of student you hope to be at the end of four years. If the culture and community at Bucknell coincides with what you envision, go there, if not go elsewhere.</p>
<p>But seriously, don’t stress over either choice-you’ve done the hard part, you’ve been accepted to good schools. Choosing is the easy part, and, in the end, your likelihood for a good and fulfilling life is equal regardless of college choice (and mostly contingent on the effort you put in etc.,).</p>