It is extremely difficult to get into Bucknell University. The acceptance rate at Bucknell University is 33%. Out of 11,707 applications received in 2023, 3,811 students were offered admission.
If you are planning on applying to Bucknell University, the regular decision application deadline is January 15 and the application fee costs $50.
Students who submit their applications to Bucknell University for the fall semester should hear back from Bucknell University by April 1.
Here is an overiew of some of Bucknell University's admissions stats.
Bucknell University 2023 | Admissions Statistics |
---|---|
Mean Unweighted GPA | 3.6 |
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class | 57% |
Mean SAT Score | 1280 |
Admissions Test Policy | Test Optional |
Applicants Who Submit SATs | 70% |
Applicants Who Submit ACTs | 26% |
Waitlist | Yes |
These are the application deadlines for Bucknell University.
Application Type | Offered | Application Deadline | Notification Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Early Decision I | Yes | November 15 | December 15 |
Early Decision II | Yes | January 15 | February 15 |
Early Action | No | β | β |
Regular Decision | Yes | 1 15 | April 1 |
Bucknell University offers early decision but not early action. Early decision is binding, which means you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.
ποΈ Early Decision I applications are due by November 15 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 15.
ποΈ Early Decision II applications are due January 15. ED II Applicants will recieve their decision before February 15.
The early decision acceptance rate at Bucknell University is 54%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 33%. Last year, Bucknell University admitted 517 of the 954 students who applied early decision.
Some students apply early to college to boost their chances of acceptance. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of admission, since it demonstrates that you are very interested in a school.
β‘οΈ Explore a list of some top colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.
It is extremely difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.
Bucknell University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.
Colleges consider a range of factors when deciding who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are given the most weight when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that prioritize the admissions factors where you shine.
What does Bucknell University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.
Admissions Factor | Level |
---|---|
Character/Personal Qualities | Very Important |
Application Essay | Very Important |
Extracurricular Activities | Very Important |
Talent/Ability | Very Important |
Academic GPA | Very Important |
Rigor of Secondary School Record | Very Important |
Recommendation(s) | Important |
Standardized Test Scores | Important |
Volunteer Work | Important |
Work Experience | Important |
Alumni/ae Relations | Considered |
Class Rank | Considered |
Geographical Residence | Considered |
Racial/Ethnic Status | Considered |
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | Considered |
Level of Applicant's Interest | Considered |
First Generation | Considered |
Make sure to check with Bucknell University for more information on admission factors.
To apply to Bucknell University, all applicants must submit the following items. Check with Bucknell University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.
Area | Required | Recommended | Required for Some | Details (If Any) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Transcript(S) of College Record | β | β | β | β |
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S) | β | β | β | β |
Letter(s) of Recommendation | 1 | β | β | β |
Written Essay or Personal Statement | β | β | β | β |
Transcript of High School Record | β | β | β | β |
Students admitted to Bucknell University have an average unweighted GPA of 3.6.
Out of all students that were admitted, 21.3% submitted a class rank. At Bucknell University 57% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 84% were in the top 25% and 99% were in the top 50%.
At Bucknell University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.
GPA | Percent of Students |
---|---|
4.0 GPA | 10.06% |
3.75 and 3.99 | 29.98% |
3.50 and 3.74 | 28.63% |
3.25 and 3.49 | 19.25% |
3.00 and 3.24 | 8.7% |
2.50 and 2.9 | 3.38% |
2.00 and 2.49 | β |
This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.
Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Bucknell University directly.
About GPAs
Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.
An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.
Bucknell University is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.
In 2022, 70% of Bucknell University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 26% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.
To be competitive with other Bucknell University applicants, you should aim to score between 1180 and 1390 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Bucknell University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1390 and 25% of scored lower than 1180, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a Bucknell University student is 1280.
On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Bucknell University students scored 710 or higher and 75% of students scored 590 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Bucknell University students scored 690 or higher, and 75% scored a 590 or higher.
To be most competitive at Bucknell University, you should strive to earn between 27 and 32 on the ACT.
An ACT score of 32 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Bucknell University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 32, and three out of four students scored lower than 32 on the ACT.
A 27 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Bucknell University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 27.
For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Bucknell University.
For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants should hear back by May 1.
Transfer students can enroll in Bucknell University during the following terms:
β’ Fall Term
β’ Winter Term
β’ Spring Term
β’ Winter Term
β’ Summer Term
Can I defer my acceptance to Bucknell University?
β Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Bucknell University.
Does Bucknell University accept transfer credits?
β Bucknell University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. Bucknell University accepts:
β’ CLEP subject tests β’ DSST/DANTES
Does Bucknell University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?
β Bucknell University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.
Do I have to submit test scores to Bucknell University?
β No, Bucknell University is test optional, so you can decide whether or not to send your ACT or SAT scores. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.
What is Bucknell University's acceptance rate?
β The acceptance rate for Bucknell University is 33%.
What is the early decision acceptance rate at Bucknell University?
β Bucknell University's early decision acceptance rate was 54% in 2021.
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Admission Difficulty
How hard is it to get into Bucknell University? Bucknell University is a selective institution. The Bucknell University acceptance rate is 33%. This means that the institution accepts 32 out of every 100 applicants.
First-Year Applications are Due
Transfer Applications are Due
The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Bucknell University is Jan 15.
The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Bucknell University is Mar 15.
Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs
Composite SAT Range
Math SAT Range
Reading SAT Range
SAT Score
Estimated Chance
1390 and Above
1180 to 1390
1180 and Less
The median SAT score for Bucknell University students is 1280. Applicants with SAT scores of 1390 and above have a good chance of being admitted to Bucknell University, while applicants with SAT scores between 1180 to 1390 have an average chance of admittance, and prospective students with an SAT score below 1180 have a low chance of being offered a spot at Bucknell University.
Avg. High School GPA (non-weighted)
At Bucknell University, the average unweighted high-school GPA for admitted students is 3.63. This is the average, which means that some applicants submit GPAs lower than this and some applicants submit GPAs above this level. If your GPA falls below the average, strong test scores or other qualifications may help you make you a more competitive applicant.
Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases Β© 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved
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