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Bucknell

Bucknell University

One 250-word essay that has to nail your major and why Bucknell at the same time.

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Supplemental essays

1 required

Word limit

250 words

Prompt type

Why Major + Why Bucknell

Testing

Test-optional through 2026-27

What Bucknell rewards

Bucknell keeps it short and pointed. Beyond your Common App personal statement, there is one required supplemental essay, capped at 250 words, and it does double duty: it asks about your intended major and why you would study it at Bucknell specifically. There are no separate prompts for engineering, music, or the arts, so every first-year applicant answers the same question.

Bucknell is test-optional through the 2026-27 cycle, and it uses Early Decision I (Nov 1), Early Decision II (Jan 10), and Regular Decision (Jan 10), with no Early Action option. The core challenge is compression: in 250 words you have to sound genuinely curious about a field and show real, specific knowledge of Bucknell. Vague enthusiasm for either half sinks the whole thing.

01Specific academic curiosity. Bucknell wants to see that your major is a real interest with a history, not a label you picked because it sounds employable. The strongest essays trace the interest to something concrete you have already done or noticed.
02Fit you could only feel at Bucknell. As a small liberal arts school with strong engineering and sciences, Bucknell rewards applicants who name actual programs, courses, traditions, or research opportunities. Reasons that would apply to any school read as filler here.
03The liberal-arts-meets-pre-professional blend. Bucknell prides itself on combining hands-on, career-focused programs with a broad liberal arts core. Showing that you want both the depth of a major and the range of a small college plays directly to its identity.
04Economy and clarity. At 250 words, every sentence has to earn its place. Bucknell rewards writers who can make a precise, well-organized case without throwing in a thesaurus or a grand life philosophy.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for Bucknell, each broken down with annotated examples.

Why Major + Why Bucknell250 words

Please explain your interest in your first-choice major/undecided status and your second-choice major (should you opt to list one) and why you would choose Bucknell University to pursue your interest(s).

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Your chance

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Bucknell and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INovember 1
Early Decision IIJanuary 10
Regular DecisionJanuary 10
Early ActionNot offered

Cost

Sticker price$87,696
Avg net after aid$38,486
Meets full needMost
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Bucknell weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $38,486/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Bucknell interview? Format, tips, and practice The Bucknell Reader ProScore your draft against Bucknell's exact prompts
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Bucknell FAQ

What is Bucknell's acceptance rate?

~32% (Class of 2028). At Bucknell, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Bucknell require?

Bucknell requires 1 supplemental essay on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Bucknell cost?

Bucknell's published sticker price is about $87,696 per year, but the average family pays $38,486 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Bucknell require SAT or ACT scores?

Bucknell is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are Bucknell's application deadlines?

Bucknell's application deadlines are Early Decision I November 1; Early Decision II January 10; Regular Decision January 10; Early Action Not offered. Add Bucknell to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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