<p>My son has suddenly gotten concerned that Bucknell is not right for him- this after planning on going Early Decision for months! He went up on an overnight, and the freshman that he was assigned to stayed up until Sunday night/Monday morning 1 AM playing beer pong- even though he had an early Monday class. Most of the talk he heard was about how much beer was bought for the frat party (answer- 120 cases). Somehow, on the other 3 visits he had, he had not picked up on this. We don’t know any current Bucknell students to ask!</p>
<p>Is this a party school? What is there to do if getting drunk isn’t your idea of a good time?</p>
<p>Thanks for any guidance parents of Bucknell students or Bucknell students can give!</p>
<p>Hi
It's too bad your son had this experience and unfortunate that colleges do not to a better job with their student hosts. I think it is a common problem as friend's children have had similar experiences at Dartmouth, Sarah Lawrence and many other schools. It is so important that potential students have the best experience possible. I think a party atmosphere exists somewhere at almost all the schools as many freshman go wild with their first taste of independence. There is probably a bit of everything.
I recommend calling the Dean of Students at Bucknell and speaking with him or his staff about your concerns. He has been there 30 years and would be very helpful to you. He could ease your concerns. Everyone that we have encountered at the school has been kind and helpful. They would be sorry to lose a potential student based on an experience with an immature freshman.
My son is a freshman. He is a very solid, confidant, smart young man. He likes to have fun, but does not drink. I had many of your same concerns.
My son is having a rich college experience and is very happy. He has made a great group of friends from all over the country. He has great classes and is working tremendously hard. He is happy.
Although we are very close, he is living his own life now. I cannot give you information on the specifics he does for fun. I do know that he is happy and often up very late hanging out with his friends. There are "Choice" dorms, but he lives in a regular dorm on a coed floor. It is all working out beautifully for him. We are very pleased. The attention given to us and to him the first few days of orientation gave me a tremendous comfort that this was a school that cared about its students and was proud of its own reputation for as one of the finest liberal arts universities in the country.
I don't know if this has helped but I hope it has.
Good wishes!</p>
<p>Bucknell is considered a party school. That being said, like everywhere else, not everyone is into that scene. It sounds like he unfortunately just got placed with the wrong group for his overnight visit. In my opinion, it doesn't make the school look very good. I think your son should just examine again why he chose Bucknell, and if it is meant to be, he will find a way to find friends that he is comfortable being around. It's a real turn off to me--kids just partying their way through college. Other activities--sporting events, Campus movie theater downtown, restaurants, the gym--dodgeball teams....etc. (I know, I'm a local) Good luck!</p>
<p>I think that college students party in general, but Bucknell may get labeled a 'party school' because it is not near a major city and there are fewer options for students. I think some of Bucknell's charm is the small town feel and intimacy of the area. There is heavy drinking among freshmen at nearly every school except Brigham Young, Wheaton (Illinois), and a handful of others. I understand your concerns, but I have 2 in college who have attended 3 schools, and drinking is a pervasive problem with most colleges- unfortunately.</p>