<p>I just wanted to ask people about the differences between Hopkins and Bucknell, as I am really struggling with this decision. I have been offered a Presidential Fellowship from Bucknell (only 20 out of over 8000 people who apply to the university), which is making the decision harder. It seems like they really WANT me there, whereas Hopkins could care less if I came or not. But, I like Baltimore a lot and am attracted to the prestige and increased research opportunities. However, you can really get to know your professors well at Bucknell and the ChemE students I’ve talked with say that they really collaborate and care for each other. I fear that at a place like Hopkins people will be uber-competitive and I will end up having very limited time to enjoy myself. I also fear that the professors will care more about their research and graduate students than their undergraduate teaching. Sorry to rant on, but I just wanted to know what everyone thought about the predicament I’m in: be a bigger fish at a smaller pond at Bucknell, or go to Hopkins and be a smaller fish in a bigger pond. Would you take the opportunity to go to Hopkins or would you choose the academic scholarship at Bucknell? Also, if you could state what your affiiation with the universities are that would be much appreciated. I have about 5 days to decide the next 4 years of my life…
Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>I am obviously biased towards Bucknell and think you should go there, but I think that in addition to thinking of the relative size of the two schools you should also consider the area. I’m from Baltimore and while it will always be my favorite city in the entire world, Hopkins’ campus is very different from Bucknell’s and I really prefer Lewisburg for my “college town”. One of the big news items in Baltimore this summer was that a Hopkins student died after getting run over by a car, I don’t remember if it was on or near campus, but you do have to remember that Hopkins is right in the city and while that certainly does have perks of its own, I think it makes the school community less tight-knit because there are other options off of campus.</p>
<p>At Bucknell, since there’s not really much to do off-campus, the campus community here is incredibly close and there’s always something to do with your peers. Also, I really have grown to love the small-town vibe of Lewisburg; though the school is still near a mall and other chain shopping stores like Target and Walmart, our main street (Market Street) is sooo cute and there are always such cute stores. The community members really get to know the Bucknell students and we have a great relationship with them. I hope you got to go downtown today and enjoy the Lewisburg Downtown Arts Festival, it’s like a big street/craft fair and it’s one of my favorite things about Lewisburg.</p>