Bucknell University Top Questions

Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

Lauren

yes and no. i would say they are true for about 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people who go there, and unfair for the other 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. indeed, most people are well off, and you can easily tell who doesn't come from a home, which income is at least 6-figures, and sometimes, people fool you, too. i think some people really pay too much attention to the sterotypical bucknellians and forget that some of them that look really lame are people, too. some of the coolest people i've met at bucknell on the outside totally fit this description, yet were awesome, wordly, and intelligent - about 3/4 of those people figure out that they need to transfer before getting sucked into greek life at bucknell and being stuck with the same boring people. i don't think it's hard to find some people who are really down-to-earth and accepting of other people - but i think the backlash comes from people who are immediately rejected from the "in-crowd" and can't stand to hang out with anyone that seems any less cool. at least, that's the impression i get. if you're open, you'll find some really cool people, who are into interesting things although there are very few weird/eccentric people. most people are at least somewhat conventional and socially adept. the saddest part are the people who would be interesting to talk to and get to know but that are constantly surrounded by the crowd of cocaine snorting greeks.

Alex

It is very typical for students to be white, middle class, and preppy. As far as I can tell. So if your into that, this could definitely be a good fit for you. As for the beautiful people, I found that this is very true. Everyone here is strikingly beautiful, and almost nobody is of the obese/acne ridden variety. It made me wonder how I got in, which then lead me to realize that there are a LOT of athletes at Bucknell, an important characteristic of Bucknell. I was an athlete, a former water polo player , and I’m pretty sure this helped me get in more than my mediocre high school gpa, or my average or less than good looks.

Jamie

While there is some truth in these stereotypes, they're not completely accurate. I think most people here come from upper-middle to upper-class families. As with many American colleges, the school is predominantly white, but admissions really has tried to racially diversify the student body, and it has shown. Activities and Campus Events (ACE) always puts in a great effort to run a variety of campus events that substitute for the usual frat party, and places like 7th Street Cafe are common sites of people who just want to chill out. As you can see from my extracurriculars, I hand around a ton of people who do not fit the above mold.

Scott

Yes, however, smart should not confused with intellectually curious or academically ambitious.

Sarah

While there are plenty of snobby rich kids, I think that the majority of students are not. There is less diveristy on this campus then other campuses, but Bucknell is making a huge effort to recruiting students from all walks of life.

Robert

Not really. You find those types of people at all schools. I have only meet a few at Bucknell. Mostly everyone I know is at the least a relaxed, laid-back person.

Lauren

definitely

Robin

most of the time

Gaby

To a point yes. It's what you make of it. You can live in 'the bubble' or not thats really up to you. There isn't an incredibly diverse campus community, so that's somewhat true.

Dylan

If they exist, then yes. Because stereotypes are alway accurate. Black people can jump high.

Tommy

For the most part yes, although they shouldn't be viewed negatively its just a fact, doesn't detract from bucknell being a great school

Michael

Unfortunately, the stereotype isn't that far from the truth for a large portion of the student population. However, there are also a lot of students who work hard and do care about things outside of Bucknell.

Meg

Bucknell is in fact a preppy school. Popped collars are not uncommon and polos and Uggs are quite abundant, but generally the fashion at Bucknell is pretty safe. Bucknell was recently named number 3 most expensive school in the US, but many students receive generous financial aid packages.

Devin

The stereoptypes are accurate to an extent, as there are many Bucknell students who did go to private schools, are wealthy, and a large percentage of the campus is involved in greek life. Most Bucknell students are smart, but certainly not all. The engineers do alot of work for certain classes or at certain times of the semester, but I think the amount of time they spend doing work and the idea that they do more work than any other major is exagerrated. As with all stereotypes they certainly don't apply to all of campus, but have some basis in truth.

Drake

Bucknell is definitely a magical campus. Most of these stereotypes about students are not accurate, although at any given place, there are students that do fit some of the stereotypical characteristics. While not as globally-minded as some universities, there are many passionate students who work hard to make sure that Bucknell is a place where people care. Some students are drivers for change, but there does exist the occasional student who has no interest. I have met a diverse group of students at Bucknell: religion, home country, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, you name it! You're really able to meet lots of interesting people if you care enough to try meeting someone who may not be just like you.

Kris

As for the seeming "dress code," that's about 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} accurate. It's rare to see a girl NOT wearing those ugly brown sheepskin things on their feet. Especially sans mini-skirt. I've already addressed the "loving" Bucknell stereotype. I certainly don't. It disgusts me every time I pass by a group of girls in the mail room and they something like "Oh my God, that date party last night was sooo fun 'cuz I was SOOOOOOOO waaaaaaaaasted." Bucknell does give good financial aid, probably because most of its students don't need it--so yes, the "rich" stereotype is pretty true. As for diversity, like I said, you need to really LOOK or be involved in those circles; sure, you'll see a "diverse" person here or there, but if you want to interact with them, then you have to make the effort. Most "diverse" students think that their fellow "normal" Bucknellians are rude frat boys or sorority girls (who make up a little more than 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body, I want to say).

Michelle

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: You can find people who aren't the "typical Bucknellian." But a majority of the people are rich and white. People actually describe themselves as whether or not they are "the typical Bucknellian." I believe many students are aware of what's going on in the world, but they are just really apathetic. And yes, sometimes I feel like the students here are all about the resume building.

Joe

Perhaps this is the face that the outside world sees, but the above stereotypes are most certainly not accurate in many cases. I, for one, drive a 1996 Geo Metro and can only attend Bucknell because of the incredible generosity of those around me. Though I do spent a significant amount of time in the library, I tend not to frequent the party scene. There is a notable cluster of students that do not drink and party from Wednesday night into Sunday morning, and those kids just tend to find each other over the course of the semester.

Rebecca

stereotypially, yes. There are people here that are not part of these norms, but I would have to say that there are more that fill the stereotype than those that do not.

Quinn

Well, yes, BUT there are plenty of people that DON'T fit in to this stereotype. First off, most people, even the partiers, want to do well academically because they want great jobs doing what they want to and making the kind of money they want to make. Second, there are plenty of people here on mostly scholarship, so there are plenty of people that will want to do things that are tons of fun but don't cost you tons of cash. And believe it or not, there are in fact people that don't start the party on Thursday night and keep going 'till Monday morning. It's easy to find (perfectly normal) people that party moderately or not at all, so there will always be people to hang out with no matter what your scene is.

Casey

i'd say it's about 50-50. half really are pretty white rich kids and really pretty girls. but the rest of us are really down to earth, normal college students with our own little diversities.

Allison

We are in the middle of nowhere, but there are lots of activities and things going on that don't involve alcohol. Activities and Campus Events (ACE) programs events for every Friday and Saturday night which include comedians, BU After Dark carnivals, late night musicians, and off-campus trips, to name a few. Also, it is true that a huge number of students is Greek, but non-Greeks are also able to have a perfectly fun time.

Reese

Pretty much

Blake

I think so.

Dale

To some extent, but this isn't who the students are - they're all trying to impress eachother. Other than these 'people-pleasers' the rest of the campus is pretty normal.

Parker

After almost four years here at Bucknell, I would have to say that yes, these stereotypes are, for the most part, accurate. As with any campus, there are those who do not conform to or fit inside the stereotypical mold, but at Bucknell, those students are few are far between.

Geordan

Somewhat - there are students that fit that mold, but Bucknell is a lot more diverse now.