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'Ray Bucknell
NUMB3R5
100

This is a traditional piece of a college application that is now optional at most schools.

What are standardized test scores? (SAT or ACT)

100

This is the biggest source of financial aid.

What is institutional aid? (the colleges themselves)

100

One of the "Five Ws" of journalism, this question is at the core of every interview.

What is "Why"?

100
This is the percent of Bucknell students who do research as undergrads, and it's the same number who study abroad.

What is 50%?

100

This is the average number of years it takes to graduate with a bachelors degree in the US.

What is 5+ years?

200

This is what it's called when a student submits an application to one college under a "binding" agreement that says if they're admitted, they'll enroll at that college.

What is Early Decision?

200

This is one of the two most common forms used to apply for financial aid.

What is the FAFSA?
or
What is the CSS Profile?

200

This is the best way to build confidence before any interview.

What is practice?

200

This was the original name of Bucknell, which lasted forty years until it was renamed after a generous donor in 1886: "University..." (fill in the blank)

What is University at Lewisburg?

200

This is the total number if you add up the admission rates of all eight Ivy League institutions this year. (within 2)

What is 41 (Average = 5% each)

300

These are two different college applications.

What are the Common App, the Coalition App, the UC App, ApplyTexas, MIT's App, etc...

300

These are three sources of money to help pay for college.

What are the student/family, federal funding, state funding, institutional funding, and private funding.

300

This is the percent of colleges and universities who use interviews as part of their admissions process. (within 5%)

What is 45%?

300

Bucknell was named #1 Liberal Arts College on what popular site's debut ranking in 2026?

What is LinkedIn Top Colleges? (2025)

300

This is the number of colleges and universities in the US offering bachelors degrees. (within 500)

What is ~2500?

400

These are two ways you can customize your college applications.

What are essays, supplemental writing, resumes, which round you apply in, interviews? (etc...)

400

This is an online tool provided by each college to help estimate the cost of college for an individual student.

What is a Net Price Calculator?

400

These are three times when teens might be asked to interview other than during the admissions process. (There are lots!)

What are scholarships, jobs, volunteer opportunities, audition days or portfolio reviews, leadership roles, meeting with coaches? (and more...)

400

Christy Mathewson, Class of 1902, played this professional sport and was inducted into its Hall of Fame.

What is baseball?

400

This is the number of Common Applications submitted last year 2025-2026. (nearest million)

What is 9.4M?

500

If colleges don't really care about your GPA, this is what they are looking at when they review your transcript.

What are grades?
and
What are courses or rigor?

500

These are three elements of the Total Cost of Attendance at a typical college. 

What are tuition, housing, meals, fees, estimated expenses? (travel/books/personal)

500

One of the following is NOT a recommended way to prepare for interviews:
--Memorizing your answers to typical questions
--Practicing answering tough questions out loud
--Thinking of stories to illustrate your best qualities

What is memorizing your answers?

500

In 2005, the Bucknell(14) Men's Basketball Team was the first Patriot League team to win an NCAA March Madness tournament game, beating Kansas(3) by one point. What was the name of the ESPY Award they won for their performance later that year?

What is Best Upset?

500

This is the average admission rate for all colleges nationally. (within 5%)

What is 73%?

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