Lafayette vs. Bucknell

<p>I'm having a very hard time deciding between Bucknell and Lafayette. I'm going to major in Economics, and I believe they both have a strong economics program. I also know they're comparable in education/reputation, so I'm not sure what my choice will come down to.</p>

<p>At Bucknell, I received a $10,000 Dean's merit scholarship.</p>

<p>At Lafayette, I received a $16,000 Marquis scholarship.</p>

<p>Money is not an issue, but I included my merit scholarships just for reference. I know the Marquis comes with perks at Lafayette, but I'm not sure about the Dean's. I really like both campuses, so that isn't helping me decide. I like the size of both schools, so that doesn't help either. I'm just really stuck and beginning to be frustrated.</p>

<p>I plan on (hopefully) going to law school and being a corporate lawyer, so I'd like the best economics education to land a spot in the best possible law school. Which of these two do you recommend? Bucknell or Lafayette? I really need advice with this one. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>OK, you must have made your decision by now, but I just saw this thread. So if there’s anyone else out there wondering about this…</p>

<p>Lafayette and Bucknell are similar in many ways. They have similar academic “reputations” and/or “prestige”. Bucknell is slightly larger. The biggest difference I know of is in their locations. Lafayette is in Easton, which definitely has some “sketchy” areas but also has a lot of things students might want - shopping, shows at the State Theater, etc. Also it’s only 90 minutes from Philly and NYC, with easy bus service to both. Bucknell is in Lewisburg… which is a very small town miles from anywhere. That’s not to say Easton is better than Lewisburg, just that it depends what you’re looking for. Frankly, in my 4 years at Lafayette (decades ago) I pretty much never left campus, and never went to NYC or Philly. So being in Easton didn’t make much of a difference to me. My son is at Lafayette now and has gone to Philly at least once a year, for concerts. If you’d prefer a true “college town,” than you might be better off at Bucknell. I’m willing to bet Lewisburg has a lower crime rate than Easton, too. If you’d prefer access to major cities, Lafayette might be better for you.</p>

<p>My daughter just finished her first year at Lafayette and loved it. Easton too. As well as the opportunity to head off to NYC or Philly when she wanted too. Over the past 9 months she went to NYC 5 times and Philadelphia once. Also spent a lot of time walking around College Hill and shopping and dining in downtown Easton (neither are “sketchy”). Lewisburg may have a lower crime rate than Easton, but the safety of the campuses is probably comparable. The “sketchy” part of Easton is a part of town no student ever needs to be in. Why would they be there? Maybe to score drugs, but if so they deserve what they get. You’d be surprised at the places you can get seriously hurt if you are heavily into the drug scene.</p>