<p>My son got a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship (full tuition, fees, stipend, books, etc). He has a choice of Bucknell, Lehigh, and Syracuse. He has chosen to use it at Bucknell. Bucknell also provides free room and board to ROTC scholarship winners. So, it is a full ride for him.</p>
<p>So far, I like everything I read about Bucknell, except the heavy duty dominance of the Greek system. Even so, it did not seem as intense as it is at Lehigh. Though % wise, Lehigh’s Greek population was lower than Bucknell’s, most of the things written up about Lehigh’s Greek scene was rather negative (drunken stupor and what not) and their not so positive aspects seem to permeate the whole school and set the tone for the entire student body’s social leaning, while Bucknell’s Greek community seems a bit less intense, more sincere, and less stereotypical. </p>
<p>In the end, this was the reason why he is going for Bucknell rather than Lehigh. His stats are good for either school (probably in the top 10% wise stat wise in both schools). He has nothing against the frats, and he may even end up joining one (though it’s more likely that that he won’t), but the whole school overrun by the fraternity brothers is not the kind of environment he would rather be in.</p>
<p>I hope we got this right… Crossing the fingers that he will find the Bucknell experience to be academically rigorous and socially rewarding…</p>
<p>Congrats! Your son has made a great decision. Though I can only speak for Bucknell, I do believe that Lehigh has more of a “party school” reputation. Though the Greek scene plays a large role in campus life at both schools, there is certainly much else to do. Congratulations again to your son; Bucknell is a special place and I’m sure he will enjoy himself both academically and socially next year.</p>
<p>First, congratulations! I’m so happy to hear your S got the scholarship! :)</p>
<p>You may recall that my S is an ROTC freshman at Wake Forest, another school with a very active Greek scene. </p>
<p>As far as I can tell, being in ROTC relieves a lot of the pressure to go Greek. Sure, plenty of cadets do. (And my son probably will.) But, the battalion is like a fraternity itself. It provides EC opportunities, parties, weekend trips, etc. All of that, on top of the fast friendships found in a freshman dormitory, give most students ample social life. I don’t think he’ll regret his decision to choose Bucknell.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. We are all pretty pleased and excited. We will have a lot to thank for this Thanksgiving…</p>
<p>I see that you have a 11th grader at home? Perhaps you are checking out Bucknell for him/her?</p>
<p>If that’s the case, and if my son ends up at Bucknell, I will report to you what it is like next fall!</p>
<p>(My son considered WF also, but in the end ended up not including it on his school choice list - it’s much further away, and we all prefer a school in a drivable distance from NE).</p>
<p>I have done a lot of research on bucknell. let me know when the time draws near for your D, plus by next fall, I will have more info I can share.</p>
<p>Of course, S has to get accepted, but so far the odds are good. He applied ED, and his stats puts him a comfortable zone. But then again, you never know.</p>
