<p>Did you live in one of the residential colleges freshman year, and if yes, can you share your experience? Should you be hesitant to request one if your interests are not super strong in any of the areas? I think it would be a great way to meet people .</p>
<p>Hello @chang11, I’m glad you asked! I have had a lot of experience with this really unique organization and, in my opinion, it is one of the most valuable choices an incoming student can make. The program has been in existence since 1986 and just recently received funding to expand its presence on campus. Yes I was member of a college my First Year and then continued as Junior Fellow (student leader that lives on the hall and helps coordinate college programing) for that college my sophomore year. </p>
<p>I’m not sure how much you know about it so I’ll just give you a brief overview. There are 7 original residential colleges (Art, Humanities, Languages and Culture, Global, Society and Technology, Social Justice, Environmental) as well as the Discovery college which is just finishing its first year. To join, an incoming student only needs to fill out the short application and preference sheet. Currently, I believe all students who apply are accepted but they cannot be guaranteed their first choice (that’s why applying early is important). Any student can join any college regardless of their major or concentration. The college’s goal is two fold: provided students with a residential environment that encourages academic conversation and discovery outside of the classroom and a social environment where students can live with others who have similar interests. In addition, all residential college students live in either McDonnell or Smith dorms which are hands down the nicest dormitories offered.</p>
<p>YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUPER INTERESTED TO JOIN! That is one of the biggest highlights and misconceptions about the program. For example, an incoming student interested in chemistry can join the Arts College if they really enjoyed being in band in high school. A sociology major who loves camping and the outdoors can join Environmental. There is no necessity to be super active in the subject field to join the college. Every residential college hall will have some students really involved in the discipline (such as Engineers in Society and Technology) and some students who just enjoy meeting people with similar interests (such as students who love discussing the newest technologies and their consequences, good or bad). And you’re absolutely right when you say it would be a great way to meet people. Orientation is so much fun and its goal is for you to get to know your fellow hall mates and Bucknell. Having a hall where everyone has similar interests makes that experience even more easy and fun. </p>
<p>A student can be involved as much or as little as he or she wants to be and should not fear they are signing themselves up for something they’ll regret after their first semester. I really encourage all students to join and I think many first years who do not live with a residential college wish they had joined. Let me know if you have any other questions and 'Ray Bucknell!</p>
<p>What is the focus of the Discovery residential college? And is the application process done with the regular rooming process? Where can I learn more about each college?</p>
<p>This site has everything you need! Let me know if you have any other questions and 'Ray Bucknell!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/x1251.xml”>http://www.bucknell.edu/x1251.xml</a></p>