What would my chances be at Bucknell next year?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bucknell University
1

Hey, I was just wondering if bucknell would be a match or reach school for me and if anyone could give me some input on my chances next year(I’m a Junior). I know that there are a lot of subjective parts of the college admission process, but I just want to have an idea of what my chances would be based solely on my stats.

SAT I: 2230/2400 and 1540/1600 (800 math, 740 reading, and 690 writing 10 essay). I also got a 221 on my PSAT so I’ll probably be at least a semifinalist (Pennsylvania)

I’m going to take the math 2 and physics sat subject tests in June or September.

Unweighted GPA: Based on my school its a 3.96 but I got 3 B+'s so I think that’s wrong. I tried to convert it to a normal scale and I got something like 3.833

Weighted GPA: My school has a weird system so its like 4.97. On a system based out of 5( add .5 for honors and 1 for AP), I think I have a 4.35.

Class Rank: I wasn’t looking into competitive colleges as a freshman and sophomore so my class rank was 39/558 at the beginning of the this school year. It is now 19/558 after one semester and it will likely go up.

AP Classes: Due to scheduling errors, I was not able to take AP Chemistry this year but I was able to take AP Statistics. Next year I hope to take AP Chem AB, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Micro, AP physics AB, and AP physics BC. My school has 4 classes one semester and 4 new ones the next semester and we take the AB classes in the fall and the BC classes in the spring. AP physics AB is equivalent to Physics C: mechanics and AP Physics BC is equivalent to Physics C: electricity and magnetism.

EC’s: I know these are subjective so I will just list them.
-Robotics Club (FTC) since 10th grade. Co-Captain this year and most likely Captain next year
-Anchor Club (Community Service) no position

  • Peer Tutoring in Math since 10th grade
  • Rec soccer for 11 years
  • Habitat for Humanity (started this year)
  • Summer Job at local children’s amusement park (around 35 hrs/ week)
    I’m more involved in tutoring and robotics more than anything else and I really love to participate in them so I’ll probably talk about that in my essays.

Awards: no major awards except for maybe national merit scholar semi finalist.

I’m definitely more math, science, and engineering oriented as compared to English and the humanities, but I still want to take English classes because writing is my weakest link. I think I would want to major in physics or mechanical engineering. What do you think my chances would be for early decision and regular decision?

2

I think you’d be competitive for bucknell. Their admissions got even more selective this year, definitely under 30% so nothing’s guaranteed. Going ED is a big help. Also check out the stats for engineering majors as it’s a little more competitive to get admitted to that school.

My S is a physics major there and he had similar stats. A little lower SAT but a little higher rank.

3

i think you have very good chance. if you feel that Bucknell is right for your then go ahead apply ED. very very good chance indeed!
i think you should also highlight that you’re interested in English and probably something about Humanities. like you’re good at creative writing and stuff. there’s a blog called Bucknell Writes Blogspot, mainly writing about the Creative Writing minor at Bucknell. As Bucknell’s most popular major are engineering, math and physics (many many applicants apply to those majors), it’s good to find some ways to stand out among those science-oriented applicants.
and keep in touch with your admissions counselor (email his/her to show interest). keep showing interest after applying by send them emails regarding your report on your latest activities/ achievements. i did it (twice) and it worked!!

4

Sushi I’m not sure where you got that information on most popular majors but it’s incorrect. Majors like Bio, Chem, Econ and business are far more popular than physics.

5

I would think that with ED you are in because it is binding and you are a very strong candidate. I am not sure about regular decision because you are so strong. You would have to convince Bucknell that you are sincerely interested in attending and that it is not just a match or even safety.

6

As an accepted student to the class of 2019, I think you are very well qualified if not over qualified. Show lots of interest in bucknell and write a strong essay. They want to hear personal stories of how you have grown not a list of all of your APs, ECs, etc.