<p>I'm facing a difficult decision here. I'm going to school for computer science, but I feel like this isn't a deciding factor between the 3 because I'm fairly confident that the skills I'll learn at each university will be valuable.
I'm strongly leaning towards Schreyers. It seems like the best option in terms of education, and will provide me with the most/ best opportunities. It also feels the most prestigious and is relatively cheaper than my other two options. Regardless, I have some hesitation.
I'm not exactly a partier and I try to avoid becoming close friends with people that engage in drinking too frequently. Penn State seems like a party school, but I also hear that Lehigh is a similar case. I'm not too sure about Bucknell in this regard.
My other issue with Penn State is that I've never had much school spirit and I feel like I'm going to be surrounded by hardcore Penn State football fans and that I won't fit in because of my lack of empathy. I also don't feel like the kind of person who attends Penn State; I'm very artsy and musical and strongly dislike sports. However, my preconception of the types of students there may be unjustified. Conversely, I feel that because the school is so large, I'm bound to find other kids who are similar to me in this regard.
I know I'm not giving a ton of information for you to accurately judge my situation, but any personal experiences you may have with either of the three schools would be helpful. </p>
<p>Honestly, it’ll probably be even harder to escape the parties at Bucknell and Lehigh because alcohol and Greek Life are prevalent and they’re much smaller. At least, at Penn State, you’ll literally have thousands of other students who don’t party and the college sponsors trips, activities, free films, plus the concerts, plays, etc on campus. (Also, Shreyer itself sponsors trips to NYC or DC every semester and other assorted opportunities.) </p>
<p>All three are huge party schools. However, at Penn State, there are many more options for finding things to do if you want to avoid the partying, and being in an honors program will allow you to find friends who are similar to you. And Schreyers is so prestigious; it would be hard to turn it down, especially with the lower cost.</p>
<p>I went to Penn State a long time ago, hated football, and was not a huge drinker, yet found my group of friends. My son goes to Lehigh and loves it, but there is less to do there than at Penn State. And he did not get into Schreyers, so would not have had the same options at Penn State. Bucknell is gorgeous, but smaller and even more isolated. You can’t go wrong with any of these schools, but don’t assume that the partying is any worse at Penn State than anywhere else.</p>
<p>Hello @snilloc! I think I can help. First of all, congrats on your admission. Several years ago I faced a very tough decision like yours with some of the same concerns. </p>
<p>Let me just clarify that while I do know a lot about Bucknell, my comments on the other school are simply what I have heard and witnessed so I really only want to put weight behind my Bucknell comments. </p>
<p>I have to argue on behalf of Bucknell here that it is your best choice in terms of education. I think you’re right in saying that all three are fairly equal in terms of Computer Science but with Bucknell you get the added bonus of liberal arts education that I know you won’t find at State or Lehigh. Many students really enjoy having the chance to study their interests, such as Computer Science, but to also branch out and study other topics as well. At Bucknell, not only is this possible but it is strongly encouraged. You say that you are really interested in the arts and music, at Bucknell you can have the chance to not only study these topics but to apply your CompSci education to them. How does studying the newest and latest theatrical sound and lighting software sound? Or the state of art music editing programs? These opportunities to study and research are available at Bucknell with the chance to work closely with Bucknell facility because of our smaller size.</p>
<p>Questions about Bucknell’s social scene always arise and here is the best, most honest answer: Yes Greek life here is very big, but I would say it is not defining. In addition, Bucknell has no more partying, in my opinion, than any other university today. Yes, if a student wants to party they can find one but it isn’t “all there is.” Many students are not members of the Greek community and they love the endless opportunities the school provides every day. The school programs events like crazy and, if it interests you, you can join one of the many organizations which plan and hosts these events. You’ll always be able to find people with similar interests and Bucknell will always help you pursue these interests. As a result, one can choose not to drink or to not go Greek and they will certainly still have a busy and rewarding social life here. Sports here are big here but nothing compared to Penn State and you’ll never feel left out at Bucknell because you’re not a sports fan. Also, Bucknell’s Greek presence is very unique and not at all like many southern schools as I have witnessed through friends and siblings who do attend large, southern public institutions. Plus, since students cannot rush until fall of sophomore year, everyone has a chance to make friends and adjust to college life without that pressure as well as a chance to view an entire year of Greek activities outside of any organization.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. Bucknell is a fantastic school and I wouldn’t let fears of the social scene deter you. Trust me when I say by the end of Orientation (one of the best weekends of your life) you will have a whole hall of new friends. Good luck with your choice, please contact me with any other questions, and 'Ray Bucknell!</p>
<p>We just got back from visiting Penn State for an Engineering Session and Accepted Students Day. They treat those Schreyer kids like superstars. Do not undervalue that! </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, we didn’t visit Bucknell, but my S loved Lafayette, hated Lehigh, and thought Penn State was a great school, although not for him. Too little arts focus and WAY too pre-professional in orientation. It struck us both as a larger version of Lehigh, but with MUCH more down-to-earth, socially-conscious kids. </p>
<p>If it were just between Bucknell and PSU, based on your description of yourself, I’d probably recommend the former. But with Schreyer in the mix, unless you’ve visited PSU and hated it, I think you can’t go wrong with Schreyer. Good luck!</p>
<p>To me, Shreyer would be the deciding factor. The experience is very different from a typical PSU freshman experience - you may not have any class with more than 25-30 students, you’ll live in great dorms, and you’ll have lots of perks, while enjoying the resources of the university. </p>
<p>Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve officially eliminated Lehigh from the running, but I’m still having a lot of trouble deciding between Bucknell and Schreyer.
Originally when I visited Bucknell, I had said that it was my top choice, but I said this not expecting to be admitted to Schreyer. My main dilemma in deciding between the two is due to Schreyer’s prestige. I feel like the overall atmosphere of the Bucknell campus and the type of students attending would be better suited to my personality, but I’m just finding it difficult to say no to Schreyer when it seems like I’d get a better education there. The types of kids from my school who are going to Penn State Main Campus I strongly dislike, and I’m not sure if the superior education and honors perks from Schreyers outweighs my dislike of the party scene and general student body there. On the other hand, Bucknell might be just as bad in this sense. I’m honestly so confused. </p>
<p>I am from the Lehigh Valley area. In fact, my D2 is going to start ChemE this fall. She attends a well-known public school in this area. Most of her school folks … the smart ones… intending to specialize in Comp Science or Engg… tend to gravitate towards Lehigh/CMU/Penn or Penn State/Pitt/Delaware for their “nearby” choices. The “preppie” ones prefer the likes of Bucknell and Lafayette for such disciplines. My personal recommendation for you would be Schreyer.</p>
<p>Think about it this way: Shreyer classes + 45,000 students +not being in the freshmen dorms means the odds of seeing those kids from your school are close to nil. (And seriously, East Halls to the dorms the Shreyer students get to be in requires taking a shuttle or walking something like 45mn so I doubt you’d socialize much 
)
Another bonus for Penn State, which I’ve just remembered thinking of the campus: ICE CREAM! :D</p>
<p>That’s a tough choice. How does money enter into it? I’m a big supporter of bucknell but the perks of schreyers are pretty nice. I do agree that on a larger campus it’s easier to find your own “kind” because of the sheer numbers of people to meet. </p>
<p>Both Bucknell and Schreyers gave me enough money that they are affordable for my parents. Either way, I will come out without debt. </p>
<p>This seems like a no brainer to me. I think academically Schreyers is by far the best option. Penn State has a world class computer science department and the faculty love working with the Schreyer’s students because they tend to be outstanding. Also, I would think that Schreyers has the most studious kids to be your peers, though I know there is substance free housing at Lehigh. </p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your help. In the end I had to go with my gut which was telling me that Schreyer was going to give me the most/ best opportunities. As much as I liked both Bucknell and Lehigh, I just felt that I couldn’t turn Penn State’s offer down. I know that I would have regretted it had I made any other decision. </p>
<p>Thank you all again!</p>
<p>Smart decision. Congratulations!</p>
<p>I’m also attending Schreyers next year and seem very similar to you in that I’m not a partier and don’t like football. Nice to see that there are others out there :)</p>