<p>Been accepted to Bucknell and William & Mary. Torn. Any advice?</p>
<p>Well, my son was accepted at Bucknell (but isn't going) and I went to W&M, so I can give some comparison. The campuses are both beautiful, food is better at Bucknell, weather is better at W&M. But I think that the feel of the campuses is totally different and that you have to make sure you visit classes at both. Unless you are an engineering major or got a ton of money, I can't imagine paying the extra dollars for Bucknell when I think W&M is a better school in most subjects (engineering being a huge exception). However, the W&M student in general is a little more of a study hard, serious type and Bucknell is more of a party atmosphere. Visit both- during classes if at all possible- but you don't have much time. Educationally, you can't go wrong at either- both great schools- but very different feel and very different price tags.</p>
<p>Bucknell is more country clubby and less intellectual than W&M. Weather and location are also very different. Also big price difference to W&M's advantage.</p>
<p>Bucknell definitely struck me as more laid-back...W&M is very studious and the campus has a very prestigious feel. I got into both and chose Bucknell, but W&M is great too. Not to mention two theme parks and some really great restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg.</p>
<p>I posted this at another Bucknell thread and thought it relevant: GOOD LUCK!</p>
<p>Fit fit fit...its all about the fit! </p>
<hr>
<p>Yes, admissions officers MUST make a tough decision based on paper scores and essays and recommendations and extra curriculars. Its not a democratic process....its not fair or just many times.</p>
<p>Its all about the fit in the end. The admissions officers trying to glean fit. Kids trying to project fit.</p>
<p>Why? Because NOBODY wants to have somebody admitted who fails or is miserable. Everyone loses in that equation.</p>
<p>Which is why Yale and Princeton ROUTINELY reject kids with 2400 SAT's and accept kids with 2200 or 2150. I have seen that countless times.</p>
<p>But as Yogi Berra said, "When you get to the Y in the road, TAKE IT!" Meaning, once you get where you are going, dont worry about the path not taken. Focus, enjoy and thrive.</p>
<p>Best of luck and hopefully a Great Fit!</p>
<p>n.b. Bucknell is a superb school. But its not for everyone. Ditto for Wake, Duke, Davidson, Vanderbilt, UVa, Swarthmore, Penn, Brown, you name it. There are LOTS of schools out there off the beaten path that are absolutely fabulous, though again, its all about the fit. Furman, Elon, William and Mary, Richmond, College of Charleston to name but a few. Its all about the FIT.</p>
<p>card86,</p>
<p>Please so not assume that you will only find the 'party hard' kind of student at Bucknell. There are many valedictorians, National Merit Finalists and students who turned down ivies to study at the Bucknell campus. The typical Bucknell student excelled academically in high school and wants an intimate college atmosphere where the administration goes out of their way to accomodate students. Bucknell students are well rounded enough to value a social life and to be involved in campus extra curricular activites, while earning their degrees. </p>
<p>Both of your schools are respected and you will probably be happy at either one. Will you feel that you made a mistake if you said no to one of them? Can you imagine yourself living at one college more than the other? Bear in mind that Wm and Mary is a state supported school that will have at least 60% Virginia residents. If you are from there, it may not be a problem. But it was one of the reasons my daughter chose Bucknell over William and Mary. Good luck to you.</p>