College Admissions Insider

What better way to get an idea of what studying abroad is like than talking to those who've taken the journey themselves?

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're welcoming a few Bucknell students on the podcast to share their study abroad experiences with you — including how they chose their destinations, their preparation processes and the biggest lessons they learned while abroad.

The students joining us are chemistry major and Spanish double-major Jake Kozora '23; accounting major Sarah Hanlon '24; and Arabic and Arab world studies major, Allure Cooper '23. They represent majors from all three of Bucknell’s colleges (Engineering, Arts & Sciences and the Freeman College of Management) and have participated in study abroad programs on three different continents.

Read a transcript for this episode.

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Explore study abroad opportunities at Bucknell
• Bucknell's Office of Global & Off-campus Education
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

Imagine you're on an airplane — one of those big ones designed for international flights. You're moments away from jetting off on your biggest adventure to date. Where are you going? More importantly, what are you going there to learn?

For many college students, traveling abroad is an enriching experience — academically, culturally, and personally. It's also a big decision that requires plenty of thought and planning.

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're giving you a birds-eye view of studying abroad as we cover the kinds of study abroad programs universities typically offer, when to start working study abroad into your college journey, earning academic credits for international courses and more.

Our guests are two staff members from Bucknell's Office of Global & Off-campus Education: Jen Fritz and Trace Coats. Jen is the associate director of Global Education and advises study abroad programs in the Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and more. Trace serves as assistant director of technical operations within Global Ed, and his advising areas include the education and geography disciplines.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Explore study abroad opportunities at Bucknell
• Bucknell's Office of Global & Off-campus Education
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

Standardized test scores are just one data point of many that college admissions committees consider. At some schools, like Bucknell, test-optional policies empower students to decide whether their SAT or ACT scores are included in their application at all. For other applicants, completing these tests is still essential step in the college admissions process.

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're providing some helpful info for students who will be taking tests like the SAT, ACT and AP Subject Tests as part of their college admissions journey. Topics include the merits and weaknesses of standardized tests, how to decide which tests to take, tips for studying and more.

Our guest is Ben Kavanaugh, associate director of admissions at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Bucknell's undergraduate admissions requirements
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

Whether we're hard at work, pursuing fun, or spending some much-needed downtime with friends, we all want to be surrounded by people who truly see us and all we have to bring to the table.

At college, feeling seen, heard and supported by people who value your unique identity and perspectives is key to a fulfilling four-year experience.

So how do you find a school where diversity, equity and inclusion are not just promises but practices? In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're discussing college resources for students from diverse backgrounds, how to get a sense of a school's commitment to equity and inclusion, the additional steps universities can take to make each student feel welcomed, and more.

Our guest is Marcus Scales, Bucknell’s Director of Multicultural Student Services.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Explore Multicultural Student Services
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Bucknell
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

You might hit up the athletics center to exercise your body, the academic assistance office to sharpen your study skills or a weeknight social event to build strong bonds with friends and classmates. But where on a college campus do you go to care for your mind?

The answer is the counseling center, a place dedicated to helping students support their mental and emotional health. In this episode, we're covering the types of services a counseling center might offer, the process of receiving counseling on campus, tips for developing self-help tools and more.

Our guests are two professionals from Bucknell’s own Counseling & Student Development Center: Staff Psychologist Kelly Shaw and Staff Counselor Lee Bard.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Bucknell's Counseling & Student Development Center
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

You're probably familiar with the age-old proverb that "it takes a village to raise a child." Well, a similar sentiment is true of college, too. It takes a whole support system to help a student get the most out of their college education and experience.

For many, that support comes in the form of accessibility resources that promote the wellbeing, productivity, and confidence of students with unique academic, physical or mental health needs.

In this episode, we're talking all about accessibility at college — from learning what accessibility resources a school offers to requesting accommodations once you've been admitted and beyond.

Our guest is is Lakeisha Meyer, director of the Office of Accessibility Resources at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Bucknell's Office of Accessibility Resources
• Information about requesting accommodations
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

College isn't a path that your student travels alone. Walking right beside them is a whole community of professors, classmates, alumni and, of course, you — the family members who have guided and nurtured your student their whole lives.

Your support doesn't stop the moment you drop your student off on campus for the first semester. In fact, there are numerous ways that you can continue to advocate for your student, whether they're in their first year of college or rounding out their fourth.

In this episode, we're covering how to navigate your student’s transition into independence, stay up to date on essential information and get involved at your student’s school of choice.

Our guests are Clare DeNicola and Maryellen Sheehan, who serve as executive members of Bucknell’s Parents Association. Also featured in this episode is Lauren Furman, who was senior assistant director of admissions at Bucknell at the time of recording.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Information for Families of prospective Bucknell students
• Bucknell Parents Association
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

What do you like to do in your free time?

If you're the adventurous type, maybe it's exploring the outdoors or trying a new sport. Or catching a concert or theatre performance if you're into the arts. Or maybe you love working with others to better your community.

Whatever your extracurricular interests and passions are, college is the ultimate time to dive even deeper into the things that you love. At most colleges, you'll find a whole administrative division dedicated to enhancing the experiences of students outside of the classroom.

In this episode, we're discussing the role of a student life office on campus, how high schoolers can get a sense of what student life looks like at a school, and advice for exploring both new and familiar interests in college.

Our guest is Brent Papson, Bucknell’s director of campus activities & programs.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Student Life at Bucknell
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

College is much more than a place for academic advancement, or a pit stop on the fast track to a well-paying job. It's a four-year journey marked by mental, social and, sometimes, spiritual growth.

This episode is all about the spiritual form of personal development and the role faith can play in a student's college experience.

What does it mean if a college has a religious affiliation in the name? What should students of faith look for in religious resources on campus? How can parents support their students' faith journey from afar? We dig into all of these questions and more.

Our guests are three experts from Bucknell’s own Division of Religious and Spiritual Life: Muhammad Ali, who serves as the University's Muslim chaplain; Jessica Goldberg, who serves as the Jewish chaplain; and Kurt Nelson, who serves as the Protestant chaplain and as the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Religious & Spiritual Life at Bucknell
• Explore diversity, equity & inclusion offices and resources
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

You know the familiar movie scene: A family car pulls up to a cluster of old brick buildings and out jumps a bright eyed-student and their parents. After a drawn-out, emotional goodbye the family car drives off, leaving the student to start this exciting new chapter in their life called “college.”

Plenty of first-year students will experience a move-in day like on the Silver Screen. But many others won't, opting to live away from campus and commute to their school instead.

In this episode, we're decoding the distinction between the commuter student experience and traditional residential life — from resources commuter students should look for at a school to the value of living and learning on a college campus.

Our guests are Bucknell’s director of residential education Jackie Cetera and community director Ke’ Sims. Jackie works to cultivate a supportive living experience and facilitate learning and growth for students in residence halls. Ke’ actually lives on campus among the students as a professional staff member, developing opportunities that enhance academic success, community engagement and so much more.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Residential life at Bucknell
• Explore Bucknell's living-learning communities
• Application dates and deadlines
• Plan a visit to Bucknell
• @iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
• Info about applying to Bucknell
• Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
• Latest news for prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.

This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.