There’s something special about Bucknell Admissions—a certain je ne sais quoi that keeps prospective students, especially those from beyond U.S. borders, in perpetual suspense. Each year, applicants submit their personal statements and recite their accolades, hoping to gain entry into this prestigious institution. And every year, a select few are granted that coveted offer letter, bringing with them a diversity of thought, culture and experience—or at least that’s the ideal. Despite Bucknell’s claims of fostering an inclusive environment, recent admissions cycles have left a few of us wondering: if diversity is truly the goal, then why do the admissions numbers for certain groups keep shrinking?

Let’s start with the basics. Bucknell, like many colleges, champions diversity as a pillar of its identity. It’s on the website, in the promotional materials and mentioned during tours. Yet, when it comes to actually admitting students from underrepresented countries or communities, the numbers don’t quite line up. Take, for example, applicants from Pakistan. A few years ago, a handful of students from Pakistan were admitted—small, yes, but it was a start. Fast forward to last year, and that number dropped to zero, despite a pool of highly qualified candidates. This wasn’t due to a lack of applicants, nor a lack of talent. It’s a trend that raises questions: if the goal is more diversity, why are we seeing less of it?

One might say this is all part of the grand “selective admissions” dance. After all, exclusivity is the name of the game in higher education. But when exclusivity starts feeling like exclusion, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds, it’s worth asking what Bucknell’s admissions strategy is truly prioritizing. It seems we’re dealing with a balancing act between keeping the campus comfortably familiar and attempting to build the global, multicultural community that Bucknell claims to value. And herein lies the paradox: how can a campus genuinely promise to welcome all perspectives when it’s actively making it harder for certain perspectives to be present?

If we look at our peer institutions—places like Gettysburg and Penn State—we see a different approach. These schools have managed to build their own diverse communities without sacrificing exclusivity or selectivity. Gettysburg, for instance, is known for its significant international student body, actively embracing students from various backgrounds. Penn State, meanwhile, is almost a microcosm of the world, offering its students a truly global experience. So why is Bucknell seemingly holding back, particularly when its peer institutions are pushing forward?

Now, let’s talk about the numbers. Within the Global Connections, Cultures & Community circles of 2023 and 2024, Bucknell experienced a modest decline of only five admitted students—a 6.25 percent drop. In the world of higher education, that might seem insignificant. But when we’re talking about small numbers to begin with, that slight dip represents a missed opportunity for broader inclusion. It’s easy to dismiss a single year’s statistics as a blip, but when this blip starts looking like a trend, it begins to feel deliberate.

And then, of course, there’s the question of optics. Bucknell is proud of its traditions, its campus community and its character. And make no mistake, it’s a campus with its own unique culture. But the unspoken rule is clear: Bucknell leans heavily toward being a predominantly white institution, with limited visibility for underrepresented groups. This is not to say that Bucknell doesn’t appreciate diversity, but rather that it appears to be “appreciating” it at a safe distance, without necessarily inviting it in.

It’s a complex dynamic, and one that’s certainly challenging to navigate. There are no easy answers when it comes to balancing tradition with progress, or exclusivity with inclusivity. But perhaps Bucknell Admissions can take a cue from its own values and look closely at the realities its policies are creating. Admissions numbers reflect more than just selectivity—they reflect a college’s priorities and its willingness to grow beyond its familiar boundaries.

In the end, true inclusivity requires more than lip service. It requires that colleges like Bucknell take a hard look at how their actions measure up to their promises. After all, if diversity is only a concept on a brochure or a bullet point on a mission statement, then it’s not really diversity at all. It’s just another box to check. And if there’s one thing Bucknell is capable of, it’s moving beyond checkboxes. The potential for real change, for true inclusivity, is already here—waiting, as many talented applicants are, to finally be let in.