2026-2027 Bucknell University Optional Essay Prompt

Bucknell University has released its supplemental essay prompts for the Class of 2031. Students applying to Bucknell must respond to one essay prompt in a maximum of 250 words, in addition to The Common App. Personal Statement. Bucknell includes this essay to give applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their interest in attending, so your response should really be treated as an application requirement, one that goes right to the top of the 250 words you’re given. Anything less could be interpreted by Bucknell as a lack of interest.

Demonstrated interest is, in fact, a huge factor in the admissions decision-making process, and could make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. So, in addition to putting in a good-faith effort that uses all 250 words to respond to the prompt below, if you’re serious about attending Bucknell, consider visiting campus to tour, attend an information session, or sit down with current students to learn more about life on campus.

And in the meantime, here’s how you should strategically respond to the following supplemental essay prompt to optimize your odds of admission to Bucknell.

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). (250 words maximum).

Before you even begin to think about your response to this question, heed this warning: if you don’t select an intended major (and ideally, a second-choice major) on your Bucknell application, you won’t instill any faith in your application reader that you’ll use your time wisely on campus. Bucknell seeks out students who already have a game plan for their time on campus before even arriving, one that is conveyed through this very prompt. In other words, Bucknell wants you to highlight the Bucknell-specific activities you’ll participate in during your time on campus in this response, including the research opportunities you’ll apply for, the organizations you’ll join, the advising structures you’ll seek to benefit from, the events you’ll attend, and the academic goals you’ll pursue. 

Note, however, that we didn’t say you should mention specific classes or professors. These details are subject to change from semester to semester, and thus aren’t the kind of details you should include here. Nor should you mention any detail that could feasibly apply to any other college, such as small class sizes, a culture of academic curiosity, or world-renowned faculty. These types of things don’t say anything about Bucknell in particular.

Instead, strive to put forward a narrative in your 250-word response, one that shows a compelling day in your life on Bucknell’s campus in which you’re pursuing various activities related to your intended major. And this intended major should, ideally, be supported by the array of activities listed in your activities section and the singular hook you put forward in your Personal Statement (which is essentially the pursuit that has formed the bulk of your free time in high school). 

Bucknell will have much more faith in you as an applicant if they can see that your intended biology major, for example, is supported by experience assisting with biology research at your local community college or founding a biology-related club at school. Chances are, the student who was an active member of an intellectual community in high school will continue to be on at Bucknell!

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Your Bucknell Supplemental Essay

If you would like to submit an essay to Bucknell that puts you in the best possible position to earn admission, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our college counseling services for seniors led by our team of former elite college admissions officers. We’ll assist with every component of the application process, from the supplemental essay to The Common App. activities section.