Hi all-
I am absolutely in love with Bucknell and I would probably get there if I get in regular decision. I applied to major in Biomedical Engineering, but unfortunately that is probably the most selective program in the school. At a visit, I was told that there are 15-18 spots for 300-400 applicants, due to the small size of the program. My stats are pretty good (1460 SAT, ~3.65 GPA, super competitive and selective HS, plenty of volunteer and work experience), and I feel that I could get into Bucknell if BME wasn’t my major. Does anyone have any knowledge about the BME admissions at Bucknell and if you think that I have a chance?
There are a few factors which could move the needle for you: 1. Are you an URM (female, geographically or otherwise diverse) candidate? 2. Have you proven your aptitude for this field of study (AP courses in bio, physics, chemistry and or Calc with 4-5s on AP exams and/or relevant SAT II (Math 2, Physics, Bio) with high scores)? If no to both, I would say the odds are not in your favor. Did you select an alternate major on the common app for Bucknell?
I am a white female from NJ, so not too much help there. I am taking/have taken honors physics, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Calc AB and BC. I’m mostly nervous because while I’ve gotten A’s in all of my other honors classes, I got B’s in most of these. I come from a Magnet High School that’s ranked extremely high with competitive courses, so I’m hoping that will help cushion the grades. When I visited Bucknell, I was told that declaring BME as my first and only choice major could tell admissions that I am passionate about doing BME and could help with their decision, so no, I did not select an alternative major.
I don’t want to be overly optimistic, but I’m hoping I still have some chance.
Those are very challenging classes and I think earning "B"s in them is great. A few kids from my school who were admitted to engineering in the ED round did not take as many challenging APs as you did. Also, diversity in engineering (including attracting high-achieving women to the study) is important to Bucknell: https://www.bucknell.edu/news-and-media/current-news/2016/february/bucknell-answers-diversity-in-engineering I would say you have an excellent chance. If you are accepted into a different engineering program (chemical or civil), will you still go or are you set on BME?
I did not know that I could get accepted into another major if I didn’t put another one as a choice-is it an option? If I was offered another major, I would definitely consider it among other acceptances; I really like the school’s atmosphere and overall feel.