I have gotten a ton of advice from a lot of people and would love a bit more. Im currently trying to decide where to early decision for college. I want to go to a liberal arts school that doesn’t feel to small. I have decided my final 3 top choices are Bucknell, University of Richmond, and Wake Forest. I would say that Bucknell would be my top choice if it wasn’t in such a remote area, so my first question would be if college students go off campus a lot (I don’t want to be bored). Regardless, I really liked all 3 schools and find the academic differences to be relatively negligent. I don’t know what I want to do career wise, but I am thinking business/pre-med. Any advice or differences between these schools would be great.
Many thanks
In terms of doing stuff off campus, University of Richmond is in a great city that has lots to do and a rich history. Our business school has been ranked very well in recent years for undergrad and our pre med program is very strong too. Of course, Bucknell and Wake Forest are great schools too, so I encourage you to apply early decision to a school that you absolutely love, is the best fit for you academically and personality wise, and one you would 100% go to if accepted.
I would say either bucknell or Richmond. For wake you have to get accepted into their business school while you’re already there and who would want to risk it? Not to mention due to the reputation of Work forest and grade deflation, Med school admissions will be tougher at Wake than the other two.
Even if students did go off campus in Lewisburg, where would they go? The closest large cities (DC, Philadelphia, and New York) are all about 2.5 to 3 hours away. If you don’t want to go to college in a rural area, then Bucknell’s probably not a great choice. Do note, however, that most college students in rural/remote areas are pretty good at making their own fun on campus.
“Business” is a big world that involves lots of jobs. Wanting to major in business is different from wanting to go into business (which you can do with any major, and where getting into the business school/major doesn’t matter as much).
Personally I’d probably choose University of Richmond. Combination of academic reputation, social reputation and location right in Richmond.
There is plenty to do right on campus at Bucknell. Many students never go off campus although there are trips to cities and many students have cars. Fit is important so you need to determine if you would prefer a more urban or suburban campus. Lewisburg has many restaurants and stores if you go off campus but it is not going to be similar to going off Penn’s campus in Philadelphia.
At Wake Forest, we have an incredible pre-med track, and a really strong undergraduate business program. I’m a freshman going pre-med, and the support and guidance I’ve gotten from faculty has been unreal. Yes the academics here are difficult, but thats really a blessing in disguise. I don’t know from experience, but have been told by pre-health advisors and medical school bound seniors that the classes here prepare students extremely well for the MCAT. I cannot speak on the business track as much, but can tell you that if you really want to get into the business school, it’s not going to be a problem. The people that don’t get in either devoted too much time to partying their freshman and sophomore year or did not care about their GPA enough. I’ve been told that all hard working students get into the business school. Thats my two cents. I can’t compare Wake to Bucknell or U Richmond because haven’t attended either of them, and don’t know anyone who does. I hope my perspective on Wake Forest helps you make a decision.