Bucknell University has posted its deadlines: Early Decision I closes on November 1 at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time zone, with decisions by mid-December; Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close on January 10. Irvine seniors have three days until the first deadline, and every applicant must first choose among the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and the Freeman College of Management.
Who Is Affected by the Bucknell Early Decision Deadline
The deadline applies to high school seniors who have made Bucknell University their first choice and are ready to commit. The university states that both Early Decision rounds are binding, with three possible outcomes:
- Admitted: the student must accept the offer and withdraw all other applications.
- Moved to Regular Decision: the student is no longer bound, and the final decision is posted on or before April 1; new academic or extracurricular achievements may be sent by email in the meantime.
- Denied: the application does not receive Regular Decision review this cycle.
Students may apply through the Common App or the Coalition App. The application fee is $50, and waivers are available through the application platforms or the College Board; students who attended a campus visit, open house or self-guided tour and completed the feedback survey can also select the Bucknell fee waiver. Admitted students pay a $500 enrollment deposit credited to the first-semester bill. Bucknell does not interview applicants.
What to Do Now About the Bucknell College Choice
Check the course requirements for the chosen college. All applicants need 4 years of English, 3 years of college-preparatory mathematics, 3 years of science, 3 years of history or social studies and 2 years of one foreign language. The College of Engineering also requires 1 year of chemistry or physics and 1 year of precalculus; precalculus, and preferably calculus, is also expected for mathematics, science, engineering, accounting, business analytics and economics. The Freeman College of Management enrolls only students admitted to it directly at the time of application, and transfer from Arts and Sciences into Engineering is limited, so the college choice should be settled before submission.
Decide whether to submit test scores. Bucknell University does not require the SAT or ACT, and self-reported scores are accepted. The SAT is superscored by section, and the ACT uses the average of the best subject scores. Applicants may also ask the university not to review scores already submitted. Students who have taken either test must send official scores before enrolling.
Submit the separate scholarship application. Students who want merit scholarship consideration must complete a separate scholarship application by the deadline of their admission round. The university’s statement on AI allows its use for brainstorming, editing and feedback, but the submitted work must be the student’s own.
For early application rounds and college lists, see the EDUBUS university admissions planning service; for essay revision, see the college essay bootcamp.
Sources
- Bucknell University: Apply to Bucknell (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Bucknell University: Undergraduate Admission Requirements (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Macalester Early Decision I Due November 1Macalester College closes Early Decision I and Early Action on November 1, and its Common App section offers two optional college-specific essays.
- Bates Early Decision Due November 15Bates College closes Early Decision I on November 15 and notifies applicants by December 20. There is no application fee and no required supplemental essay.
- Colgate Early Decision I Due November 1Colgate University closes Early Decision I on November 1 and waives the application fee for first-year applications submitted in October.
- Lafayette Early Decision Due November 15Lafayette College closes Early Decision I on November 15 with decisions in mid-December. It offers an optional 20–200 word Why Lafayette essay.
