<p>Hey, I was wondering if anyone could give some insight into freshman housing, because I have no idea which option to sign up for. How are the CHOICE dorms? Are CHOICE members labeled as such by non-CHOICE students? I don’t drink or use drugs, and if i am in a regular dorm i don’t want to be excluded just because i don’t drink. I would appreciate any insight that you would have.</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters where you live. There are plenty of kids who don’t “party”. You don’t have to live in Choice to find them. My D was in a Residential college dorm and at least half her floor didn’t drink and party. She had plenty of friends to hang out with and the university sponsers many weekend events.</p>
<p>I don’t drink and I did not join the CHOICE program, and I know students who do drink but were CHOICEers. I probably would have participated had I known that you can be in a res college and choice, but the arts res came first for me. I made friends with a bunch of kids in the program, and you could tell that they were tight with their hall and had made some great friends–and CHOICE does fantastic programming; a semi-formal, trips to cool places like NYC or whitewater rafting, etc.</p>
<p>There’s not any sort of stigma attached to being in CHOICE, it’s just a decision to live somewhere that the choicers call a “haven” from substances.</p>
<p>However, you won’t be excluded no matter where you live. I have a bunch of friends who do drink, and I like to go out with them (I am a master of water pong). I also know people who don’t drink and don’t like to go out, and people respect that as well. You’ll make friends no matter what choices you make! I seriously have never had anyone say anything derogatory about my decision to not drink; everyone respects my decision even though some say they don’t understand it ;)</p>
<p>hey BucknellBubbly! this might be a bit off topic, but i’m planning on joining the arts res and got a question… i’m really interested in the arts and like the arts res courses and program but i’m not actually an artist/dancer/singer/actor etc and will be majoring in science. will i feel kinda out of place?</p>
<p>No, you will be perfect! The arts res is a lovely blend of arts majors (typically theatre and vocal/instrumental performance), other liberal arts majors, and science/engineer types. One of my friends came in as an engineer, switched to a physics major, and loved the arts res so much she was one of the coordinators (JF) this year, even though she hasn’t done any sort of art since she got to campus (but she supports everyone else’s!)</p>
<p>I think that the science majors appreciate the arts res in a different way, but it’s almost more valuable for them. I’m majoring or minoring in theatre, so I get ridiculosity in my life on a regular basis because of that, and I know a lot of “artsy” people on campus. But for the people who spend all of their time taking physics or chemistry or whatnot, it’s really nice to be able to come home to a place where math doesn’t exist, if that makes sense. But there will be other science kids around to talk about homework with!</p>
<p>One of the distinguishing features of Bucknell is that everyone here has a lot of interests, and the school really tries to encourage that, which is why programs like the arts res are specifically not just limited to art majors. If you’re interested in the arts, even if you don’t plan to take life drawing or be in the next mainstage play or join an a capella group, but rather just soak in the atmosphere of an arts hall, then the arts res is a FABULOUS choice.</p>
<p>Sorry I wrote so much, I’m just very passionate if you couldn’t tell. ;)</p>
<p>thanks so much for your response! it helps a lot! 
:)</p>