Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

• What is the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?

  The only difference between EDI and EDII is the application deadline: EDI applications are due on Nov. 15, and EDII applications are due on Jan. 15.

  Both EDI and EDII require that you, your high school counselor, and parent/legal guardian complete and submit the Early Decision Agreement Form by the deadline.

   

• Does Bucknell have Early Action?

  No, we do not have an Early Action application option. However, if Bucknell is at the top of your list, we would encourage you to apply Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

   

• What is your minimum GPA requirement?

  While grades are an important part of the admissions process, we take a holistic approach to application review. In other words, along with your GPA and standardized test scores (if you choose to include them), we also consider extracurricular activities, volunteerism, charity or mission work, etc.

  In short, we invite you to apply to Bucknell, regardless of your GPA.

   

• Does my GPA need to be submitted weighted or unweighted?

  Your school official should send us your high school transcript and/or progress reports with this information as is, regardless of whether a GPA score is weighted or unweighted. Bucknell recalculates GPAs received so that we can review all applicants on the same scale.v

   

• I took college-level courses in high school. Will these credits transfer over?

  Our Office of the Registrar will review all college-level course credits once you have been admitted to Bucknell.

  A good way to gauge whether or not your credits might transfer over is to consider the following:

  • Was the course taken in a college setting and given by a professor?
  • Is it comparable to a course we currently offer here at Bucknell?

  Basically, you have a better chance that a course's credits will transfer over if the course is similar to one offered at Bucknell.

   

• Can I schedule a time to come in to interview with an admissions counselor?

  Interviews are not a part of the Bucknell Admissions process, though we welcome calls or emails from you at any time.

   

• I would like to take a tour of your campus. How do I go about setting this up?

  Please go to our Plan a Visit page. On this page, you'll find more than just general tour options.

  You'll also get details on our upcoming open houses, specific facility tours, visit programs just for high school juniors and seniors, and a chance to take a virtual tour.

  Once you've narrowed down how you'd like to experience Bucknell, please click on the "Schedule a visit online" box.

   

• Do you offer shuttles to and from the airport?

  Yes, and we’re one of the few universities that does!

  Shuttles are offered during University breaks, such as the beginning and end of each term, fall break and Thanksgiving breaks, and winter and spring breaks.

  Shuttles are only for students, staff and faculty. Because of liability concerns, we cannot transport family members or friends.

   

• I know Bucknell is test optional, but I've decided to have my scores sent in. In the meantime, I self-reported my SAT scores on the CommonApp. But why, when I hit the "submit" button, did my self-reported SAT scores not show up?

  This is related to an issue with the Common App. We still get the info electronically, so don't worry that your score might not show up right away.

   

• I left a voicemail (or sent an email) between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15, but I haven't heard back from anyone in Admissions. When will someone get back to me?

  From Nov. 15 to Jan. 15, we often receive more than 50 voicemails and 75 emails a day.

  Rest assured that we will do our best to return calls and respond to emails as soon as possible. Please understand, however, that it may take as many as five business days before we can get back to you.

  This delay will not affect your application, as long as it was submitted by the deadline date (application materials can arrive after the deadline). Thank you in advance for your patience!

   

• Can my high school counselor send my official documents in by email? If so, where should they send them?

  Yes, they can send them via email to our application documents processing team at appdocs@bucknell.edu. However, please let them know that this email address is strictly for document submission.

  If your high school counselor has any questions, they can write directly to admissions@bucknell.edu.

   

• I've already submitted my application but have changed my mind about how I want my test scores considered. Can I update my test score preference?

  Yes! Please email appdocs@bucknell.edu to let us know how you want test scores considered in our application review process.

   

• Does Bucknell superscore the SAT and ACT?

  Yes. Bucknell superscores both the SAT and ACT, meaning we take your best section-level scores if you take a test more than once.

  For the SAT, this means we take your best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score and your best Math score — even if they were from different tests — and combine them to create the superscore we consider when looking at your application.

  For the ACT, this means we take the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. If you take the test multiple times, this could result in the score we consider being the same or higher (never lower).

  As a reminder, Bucknell is test-optional, meaning you'll decide whether to include test scores when applying.

   

• Am I able to use AI tools in completing my application to Bucknell?

  Tools like ChatGPT and other AI-based programs are making a significant impact on society and various industries. We believe that these tools can help you generate ideas for your application, but ultimately everything you submit as part of your application to Bucknell should be your own. You should not copy and paste content into your application that you did not create. If you choose to utilize AI–based programs, we encourage you to rely on them as you would a teacher, family member or friend — for brainstorming, editing and honing your work.