Bucknell University
Source: bucknell.md
Bucknell University
Admissions (Class of 2029 / Fall 2025)
- Total applicants: 11,377
- Overall acceptance rate: 29%
- Early round: ED I & ED II — ~50% ED rate vs ~25% RD rate (estimated)
- Class size: ~960
- Yield: ~29%
Academics
- SAT middle 50%: 1340–1500
- ACT middle 50%: 31–34
- Avg unweighted GPA: 3.62
- Top 10% of HS class: ~55%
- Testing policy: Test-optional
Demographics
- Women: 53%, Asian: 5%, Black: 4%, Hispanic: 8%, White: 74%, International: 5%
Financial Aid / Net Cost
| Income Bracket |
Net Price |
| $0–$30,000 |
$21,406 |
| $30,001–$48,000 |
$19,554 |
| $48,001–$75,000 |
$20,932 |
| $75,001–$110,000 |
$36,128 |
| Over $110,000 |
$55,354 |
Athletics
700+ varsity athletes (~18% of undergrads). NCAA Division I, Patriot League.
Notable
Very high athlete percentage (18% of undergrads are varsity athletes) is significant for simulation — athlete hook is a major factor. 27 varsity sports is one of the largest D1 programs nationally for a school of this size. Small liberal arts-oriented university (3,920 undergrads) with Patriot League membership. Predominantly white (74%) student body.
Admissions Strategy
- ED is important — estimated ~50% ED rate vs ~25% RD (2x multiplier). Bucknell offers both EDI and EDII. Forum users confirm that ED significantly improves chances.
- Merit scholarships include Presidential Fellowships (full/partial tuition), Dean's Scholarships, and Arts Merit Scholarships. These are competitive and based on the admissions application — no separate form.
- Moderate selectivity (29%) makes Bucknell a realistic target for solid but not exceptional students. Test-optional policy helps applicants with strong GPAs but lower scores.
Campus Culture & Fit
- Greek life dominates the social scene (~30% participation, 11 fraternities, 10 sororities). Forum users consistently note that non-Greek students may feel excluded socially.
- "Preppy, white, and wealthy" is the frequent description. The student body is 74% white and perceived as socioeconomically homogeneous. Diversity is a known weakness.
- Very high athlete percentage (18% varsity, Patriot League D1) — nearly 1 in 5 students is a varsity athlete, making athletics a central part of campus identity.
- Small (3,920 undergrads), rural location in Lewisburg, PA. Students describe a close-knit community but some feel isolated. Strong alumni network for career support.
- Academics are rigorous with a liberal arts core plus strong engineering programs. Professors are accessible and classes are small.
Financial Aid Reputation
- Decent need-based aid for lower income brackets ($19K-$21K for families under $75K), but net price jumps sharply for middle-income families ($36K+).
- Merit scholarships are available and can meaningfully reduce cost. Presidential Fellowships are the top award.
- Not as generous as top LACs (Williams, Amherst) but better than many mid-tier privates.
Simulation-Relevant Takeaways
- ED multiplier of ~2x is moderate — ED matters but is not as extreme as at Middlebury or Tulane.
- Extremely high athlete percentage (18%) means the recruited athlete hook should be heavily weighted for Bucknell in simulation.
- Greek-dominant social culture and low diversity may reduce yield from certain student archetypes.
Sources
- Bucknell Fast Facts
- Bucknell Athletics (Patriot League honor roll data)
- CollegeSimply, College Factual, Niche (net price, demographics)
- IPEDS/College Navigator
- The Bucknellian: Greek Life at Bucknell — critical look at campus culture
- Niche: Bucknell campus life student reviews
- US News: Bucknell Student Life profile