Bucknell University: A Comprehensive Guide to Admissions

Gaining admission to Bucknell University requires careful preparation and a strong application. Bucknell is a selective institution. Understanding the university's admission requirements, including GPA expectations, standardized testing policies, and the importance of a well-rounded application, is crucial for prospective students.

Understanding Bucknell's Selectivity

The acceptance rate at Bucknell is 28.9%, indicating that it is very selective. This means that the university admits fewer than three out of every ten applicants. To be competitive, applicants need to exceed the average academic qualifications of previously admitted students. Meeting Bucknell's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application gives you a great shot at getting in.

Academic Expectations: GPA

A strong GPA is a fundamental aspect of the Bucknell application. Bucknell University’s average GPA is 3.56. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in and requires you to be above average in your high school class. Successful applicants typically have a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's.

The GPA ranges for admitted students are:

3.75+: 37.84%
3.50-3.74: 30.68%
3.25-3.49: 20.38%
3.00-3.24: 9.08%
2.50-2.99: 2.02%
2.00-2.49: Less than 1%
Below 2.00: 0%

While a high GPA is advantageous, students can compensate for a slightly lower GPA with challenging coursework, such as AP or IB classes. If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.62, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate.

Read also: Bucknell University GPA

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

Bucknell hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, it's likely test flexible. Bucknell University requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Bucknell will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.

SAT

The average SAT score at Bucknell University is 1290. While Bucknell may not have a strict SAT score cutoff, a hidden SAT requirement exists due to the scores of admitted students. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1170, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1389.

Bucknell does consider "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Bucknell will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Bucknell forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1389, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on.

ACT

The average ACT score at Bucknell is 32. The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32. Even though Bucknell likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 26 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. When you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 32 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT.

Test-Optional Pilot Program

In the academic year 2019-2020, Bucknell began a five-year, test-optional pilot program for which students are not required to submit an SAT or ACT score as part of their application. For the 2019-2020 application cycle, home-schooled students, international citizens and recruited athletes were required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Starting in the 2020-2021 application cycle through the remainder of the pilot program, all applicants may choose to be test optional. However, all students who choose to enroll at Bucknell will be required to submit an SAT or ACT score before they begin their first year. These scores will only be used in the assessment of the test-optional program and will not impact the admission decision already made. Note: If you have never taken the SAT or ACT and do not have scores available, you will not be required to submit a score upon enrollment.

SAT Essay/ACT Writing Section

Bucknell considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

A Holistic Approach: Beyond Academics

For a school as selective as Bucknell, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. Bucknell needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. Bucknell University's merit awarding process is comprehensive, holistic and extremely competitive.

Essays

When you submit your application to Bucknell we encourage each applicant to express their unique personality and diverse array of life experiences through the included essays. Write a stellar essay that shows Bucknell University something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application.

Recommendations

Recommendations are considered important for admissions officials at Bucknell University. Get teacher recs that speak to your character.

Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement

Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. Volunteer in your hometown. Lewisburg has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics.

Read also: Understanding Bucknell Tuition

Application Details

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information.

Application Platforms

To apply for admission as a first-year student, please use the Common Application available at commonapp.org, or Coalition Application (powered by Scoir) available at app.scoir.com/app/signup/1100235. You'll choose either the Coalition Application (powered by Scoir) or the Common Application.

Deadlines

Early Decision I: Nov. 15
Early Decision II: Jan. 15
Regular Decision: Jan. 10

Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that bucknell’s own system crashes.

Application Fee

Bucknell's application fee is $50. If you applied previously to Bucknell, the application fee may be waived and the official secondary school report may be retrieved.

Additional Information for International Students

International students must submit TOEFL scores. This visa requires a Form I-20 document issued by International Student & Scholar Services. International students must show sources of support in the amount of $2,000 in addition to the financial aid award before an I-20 can be issued. This form and further information about visas for international students can be found on the International Student & Scholar Services page.

International Student Orientation is required for all international students.

A Glimpse into Bucknell University

An application to Bucknell is an application to a new kind of education - one where learning isn't limited to a classroom and investigation is encouraged. Where your classmates are more than people in a classroom - they are your companions on a quest to discover new truths and invent new possibilities. At Bucknell University, you can become the most brilliant, most adventurous, most authentic you.

Bucknell UniversityAcademic programs:

Art & Design
Business
Communication
Design
Economics
Education
Engineering
Finance/Accounting
Government/Political Science
Health Science
Liberal Arts
Music
Performing Arts
Research
Science
Social Science
Technology
Visual Arts

Student experience:

Athletics
Co-op/Internship Opportunities
Disability Services
Greek Life
Intramural/Club Sports
LGBTQIA Services
On-Campus Housing
ROTC Program
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research
Veteran

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