Bucknell vs. University of Richmond?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Unfortunately, I was not accepted into my early decision school, so I'm starting up all the rest of my applications and scrambling to figure out where I want to go. I've always known that Richmond and Bucknell were tied as my second choice behind my ED choice, but I just cannot decide which I like better. I'm trying to decide if I want to apply ED 2 to either of them because I think I would be very happy at either, but I don't know which to choose! Help!</p>

<p>Pros for Richmond:
- BEAUTIFUL
- has a large variety of majors considering how small the school is (important because i'm not sure what i want to do - but leaning towards communications or business)
- is not in the middle of nowhere
Cons for Richmond
- i've heard it lacks school spirit - which is important to me
- also feel like the party scene is not as fun as it is at bucknell
- dorms are tiny, might get a little claustrophobic</p>

<p>Pros for Bucknell
- also a beautiful campus (though in a different way than richmond's)
- awesome party scene
- school spirit
Cons for Bucknell
- middle of nowhere
- not thatt much of a variety of majors (the only thing i would highly consider is "marketing, innovation, and design" which although is a perfect fit for me, is the only one that really appeals to me)
- not as nice weather</p>

<p>I think I have an equal chance of getting into either - but they have just become so ridiculously popular in my area that I think applying ED 2 would increase my chances alot</p>

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<p>can you afford either of them?</p>

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<p>They are very similar schools so only you can decide which is the best fit. I would 1) wait to see if you get into your ED school – this may be a moot point and 2) if you don’t get in ED re-visit the two schools if possible (try to spend a day on campus, shadow a student, attend classes etc.) to see if one has an edge over the other 3) if you can’t decide then don’t apply ED2</p>

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<p>@jkeil911‌ yeah financial aid isn’t a factor </p>

1 Like
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<p>@happy1 i already know i haven’t gotten into my ED school which is why i’m doing this.
bucknell and richmond are tied as my second choices… and they both happened to be top choices for many of the hundreds of kids in my grade and in my area (i have about 650 kids in my grade… and there are also other schools and priv schools in the area) which is why i think i should get a leg up by applying ED.
i would just like to hear some thoughts on peoples experiences/knowledge on these schools
i don’t have time to revisit these schools because of exams/break </p>

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<p>I’ve visited both, Bucknell twice. As many people here have testified in this thread and others, they are very similar schools. They weren’t for either of my kids because of what they had in common: parties, frats, lots of school spirit, alumni networks, corporate mindset, size, more conservative than average, homogeneity, etc. The differences–urbanity and north/south primarily–weren’t enough to differentiate them. Sorry I cannot be more help.</p>

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<p>I have 2 daughters attending the University of Richmond, 1 also applied to and was accepted at Bucknell, so we did visit there also. UR definitely has lots to do, our whole family really enjoys our visits to the Richmond area - great restaurants and shops, especially in the Carey Street area, which is not too far from the campus. Lots of historical sites to visit too. Easy to get to and from campus via amtrak.</p>

<p>The weather is very nice in Richmond, much milder in the winter, with a lot less snow than at Bucknell. Both daughters are science majors and really like the small classes and their professors. The one who is a junior has been doing research in a lab since freshman year, and there seem to be many research/internship opportunities for non-science types too. The business school has an awesome reputation.</p>

<p>There is probably more of a party scene at Bucknell, because there is less to do off campus, but there is definitely a party scene at UR too - it seems to revolve around parties at the greek houses(non-residential) and the on-campus apartments. My daughters do occasionally attend parties(at least this is what they tell me-LOL), but seem to hang out with their friends a lot too, watching movies, going out to dinner, etc.</p>

<p>The freshman dorms at UR are pretty typical dorm rooms, the newer ones are very nice, the older ones are well maintained, with A/C etc. My older daughter, the Junior, is in a brand new suite style dorm this year, North Court - it is beautiful! She has a nice sized room with a private bathroom. Most Seniors(and occasionally Juniors) live in the on-campus apartments, which are decent sized and provide a little more independence. Most students live on campus all 4 years, which helps build a sense of community.</p>

<p>Bucknell is slightly larger, with a good engineering school. Other than that, both schools have similar majors and academics. The biggest difference is a rural vs. suburban/urban location. </p>

<p>Good luck in making your decision! They are both excellent schools. </p>

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<p>A coin toss would do you just fine My preference is URichmond. That you have a city nearby is nice. I know some kids who did feel they were just too isolated at Bucknell Also the choice of academics at UR is outstanding. But you really can’t lose out with either. Good luck.</p>

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<p>thanks everyone! and thank you @mamag2855‌ that’s really helpful!</p>

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<p>@mamag2855‌ do your daughters say anything about the small size of the school? is it ever too small? i come from a school of about 2800 kids so im a bit worried about being trapped socially </p>

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<p>My daughters attended a high school of approx. 1000 students, but they were housed with a sister school of 900 with a lot of combined classes/activities, so it seemed bigger. DD1 really wanted a smaller school and UR was at the top of her list(it was also the largest school to which she applied). DD2 was not so sure, thought she wanted bigger, but also knew that the academics at UR are great and having visited her sister many times, was familiar with campus(UR was the smallest school to which she applied). In the end DD2 is glad that she chose a smaller school - small classes and getting to know your professors well is a plus.She is a little introverted too, I think it helped her engage with others more easily - not quite so easy to hide in a small class! </p>

<p>Keep in mind that Bucknell(3500 students) is only marginally larger than UR(3000 u/g). My daughters found friends that they had a lot in common with pretty quickly. There are many clubs and activities at UR, so that helps find other students with common interests. </p>

<p>Greek life is more popular at Bucknell(50%) vs. UR(38%). Both schools have good retention and graduation rates. In the end, it comes down to where you feel you will fit in best.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Might also look at Holy Cross and Colgate. HC has very nice campus 1 hour from Boston and Holy Cross has great school spirit and fantastic alumni network.</p>