I really like Bucknell’s campus and academics and is mostly worried about my social life in college. I realized that Bucknell is all about the Greek life, partying, and drinking. After reading through all the forums on this page, I also realized that people who aren’t into these things have a hard time fitting in and are unhappy at Bucknell. Can someone tell me about alternative things to do on campus and clarify if it really is hard to have a social life out of greek life especially if I would be a minority at Bucknell?
My D is a freshman at Bucknell and is really enjoying her experience both academically and socially. While there is certainly an element of the Greek/hard partying stereotype at Bucknell, there are also other things to do. My D found that being in one of the residential colleges rather than in the traditional dorms provided more diversity in both social life and the people that she has met/interacted with. I would highly recommend considering one of the residential colleges (you can look them up online for more information). She has mentioned a bunch of social things besides large parties (although she has done that too) – campus speakers, ACE events like Bucknell After Dark where they set up a bunch of mats/bouncy houses type activities in the field house, concerts of all sorts, comedy, etc. She has gone on several trips to NYC and DC through her residential college and also through a couple of classes. Her residential college sponsored an ice skating outing and she said about 100 students attended. She sometimes stays in and watches movies with her friends and/or bakes in the dorm kitchen. Her roommate is involved in the Outing Club and Ski Club and has gone on trips/outings with them. There are tons of clubs – too many that D would like to be involved in that she doesn’t really have time for because of her rehearsal commitments (she is involved in theatre/dance). There are also upper class students (in addition to RAs) called Junior Fellows in the residential colleges who are sophomores and who are there to ease the social transition. Their profiles and contact info are up on the website and who might want to connect with some of those people and see what they have to say.
Hi, I’m also concerned with fitting in at Bucknell, and its the only thing that is stopping me from saying YES right now. I’m looking into the BuckWild program for this summer, and a Res College for the year. I think that these would be great ways to meet people. Could anyone tell me about their experiences in these?
Also @cherrybloss its comforting to hear that someone like me is concerned with this subject too. As I said, its the only thing making me think twice.
@cherrybloss and @eyeofthegeiger. Are both of you planning to go to admitted students day? That is a good way to get a sense of the community. Also, ask Admissions if they will put you in touch with any current students (I don’t think there are too many current students on this forum). Also, I would recommend to both of you to choose some kind of preorientation, if not BuckWild then perhaps Building on Foundations or some other. It’s a great way to meet people early. Finally, I would recommend to each of you that wherever you end up at College that you to look beyond the superficial when thinking about fitting in. Just because students may initially appear a certain way doesn’t mean that you won’t have something in common with them. Most college freshmen are in the same boat – in a new place, looking to make new friends and fit into a new community. Give people a chance and they may surprise you.
@momofzag thank you for the information and advice! I will be attending admitted students day but not preoreintation (I’m going away) I will also be considering the residential colleges.
I spent the last few weeks agonizng over this decision. On some days I was estatic, I couldn’t wait to go to bucknell and meet new people while other days I was so sure I would be ostracized and will dread waking up everyday for the next four years.
Like @eyeofthegeiger said, the social aspect is the only obstacle stopping me from committing to bucknell. Hopefully people like us will be able to find each other and we’ll have a blast at bucknell together.
I feel a lot better after hearing that there is a lot of other activities that can be done in campus and am feeling more optimistic now.
That being said, I will most likely be going to bucknell. I’m waiting on admitted students day to finalize my decision. I just don’t want my four years in college to be the worst experience I’ll ever have.
I also highly recommend the residential colleges. The other students in my son’s residential college and on his floor in his dorm became very close, in part due to the living situation. Especially in McDonnell, the rooms are set up in a square around a central lounge/kitchen area. The students would hang out there instead of in their rooms. So there was always someone to be with if you felt like company.
The good thing about Greek life at Bucknell is that you are not allowed to rush as a freshman. Therefore, you get a chance to make friends freshman year without worrying about fraternities and sororities, as well as getting a feel for what Greek life on campus entails so you can see if you might want to join or not.
@cherrybloss Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone in college - it is the one time in your life where you can redefine yourself, take chances, and discover not only who you want to be, but who you are. Many (most) of your perceptions about what you like, how you’ll fit in, etc. have been shaped by the schools and activities you have attended so far in your very young life. Believe me, you will be a very different person twenty years from now. Don’t let your perceptions be shaped by what you are told - experience them for yourself. This is the only way to discover truth. College truly is a fresh start - no one on campus knows anything about your past other than you deserve to be there. You can put your best face forward and not worry about all of the baggage you (may) have accumulated during your primary school years - you can actually leave all of that at home if you so choose. Don’t forget, everyone else at Bucknell (and every other school you might attend) is also new to it, and needs to “fit in” and make friends. There are no preconceived notions about you. Hard to believe, but you might actually “fit in” with a bunch of other girls in a sorority. I know of several students who went to college adamant that they didn’t want Greek life because to them, it was synonymous with partying. Not until they discovered what being Greek truly meant did they realize they loved it. “Partying” has many definitions and degrees, and it is not the exclusive domain of Fraternities and Sororities. You will find it in dorms and off-campus houses of every college in America. Some people go overboard, some want to have a good time occasi
As with many other colleges, Bucknell is actually trying to cut back on frats and push students towards other events. My tour guide was not involved in a fraternity and seemed to enjoy himself. Also, there seem to be plenty of opportunities for non-Greek members. This situation is greatly helped by delayed rush(sophomore year). Make sure you sign up for BuckWild early, as the spots fill up.
My D2, a recent Bucknell grad, was not a member of a sorority by choice. She was involved in many things and had many friends, including Greeks. Yes, she attended some fraterniy parties but she also attended and was involved in many activities that had nothing to do with Greeks.
She did live in a residential college her first year, but not by choice. They had room and that was where she was placed. She loved it. And she ended up majoring in what the residential college theme was–the environment.
She also choose to be an RA. We did not ask her to do this. She got close with other RA’s.
There are a lot of options at Bucknell.
@cherrybloss Did you decide to commit to bucknell? I did and it would be nice to hear you found the right place as well.
I did commit! i hope to see you there! If you are willing we can chat more privately through inbox or fb? so we can get to know each other.
@cherrybloss Great decision! See you at orientation! Did you apply for BOF/BuckWild? I’m still waiting to hear about my BOF application!
@mxl2015 see you there! I didn’t apply for BuckWild because I’m going away for the summer, but I do know that I got into the language and cultures res college.