International Admission
Union College is part of the global community and we encourage applications from international students. Among our student body there are over twenty countries represented outside of the United States and we are always looking to welcome new cultures. Please click on the following links for more information regarding the application process and life at Union.
Application Process for International Students
Applying:
For the best transition and experience at Union, we request international students apply for entry in the fall term. Union's application deadline for fall admission is January 1. All materials must be post marked by this deadline, however please allow extra time whenever possible. Please give your family name and given name in the same way every time you communicate with Union. All correspondence should be sent via AIRMAIL to ensure prompt delivery. E-mail and faxes expedite our correspondence with you.
Application:
At Union we accept the Common Application for all students. You can apply online using www.commonapp.org. When you submit the application online, the application fee is automatically waived. In addition to the parts of the common application, we require two supplements:
- a graded writing sample in the English language from the last two years of secondary school. If you are unable to submit this we will process your application without an additional essay
- Union supplement that you can download here.
Early Decision:
Early Decision candidates commit themselves to attending Union. It should be your first choice school and you are obligated to attend the College upon acceptance, and must withdraw all applications to other colleges or universities. Early Decision is open to international students who do NOT need financial aid.
For Early Decision I, the application is due by November 15 and decision letters are mailed by December 15; for Early Decision II, the application must arrive by January 15 and the decision letters will be mailed by February 1. Early Decision applicants must fill out the Early Decision Agreement which can be found here.
International students who are applying for financial aid may not apply Early Decision.
Financial Aid:
International students are eligible to receive financial aid, but the amount we have to give out is finite, making admission a highly competitive process. If you indicate you are applying for financial aid, the admissions application will not be considered complete until we have the financial aid application. The deadline to file your financial aid paperwork is February 1. The College Board's International Student Financial Aid Application is required for all international citizens (with the exception of Canadian citizens who are required to fill out only the Canadian Financial Aid Application) who wish to be considered for aid. The International Certification of Finances will be required for students who eventually enroll in the College. For the appropriate applications, please visit Financial Aid Forms. If an international student is accepted, aid is awarded based on need in the form of scholarships, grants and work study. On campus employment is available on a limited basis to international students; a financial aid officer can direct you to possible positions. We ask students to be able to contribute at least US $5,000 each year toward the cost of attending Union, but this figure is not a cut-off.
Standardized Tests: SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests and ACT:
Union is test optional, which means that it is not required to submit a standardized test for consideration. However, it is highly recommended that international students submit one of the following options: SAT I, two SAT II's (any two of your choice) or the ACT to give more information for evaluation.
Test of English as a Foreign Language:
If English is not your first language you must submit a recent TOFEL score. The TOEFL is required even if English is the language of instruction if English at your school. You may submit the computer-based, paper-based or internet-based TOEFL. There are no strict cut offs for the TOFEL exams, but typically we expect Computer Based scores of at least 250, Paper Based scores of at least 600 and Internet Based scores of at least 90.
Evaluation:
In the application process we will review your secondary school transcripts, counselor and teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities, personal essay, test scores and special talents. Please be sure all materials submitted are in the English language or a certified translation accompanied by a copy of the original document. Additional materials submitted such as slides of artwork, music CDs, newspaper articles, etc., will become property of Union College and cannot be returned. Please keep in mind the cost to you and postal system when sending these optional parts of the application.
Union endorses the International Baccalaureate curriculum. IB diploma graduates can receive academic credit at Union (up to a full year of credit for successful diploma candidates), as can students who have completed national exit exams such as the British A levels, German Arbitur, and French Baccalaureate with high results.
Enrolling at Union
Once accepted at Union, in order to reserve your place in the class you are required to make a deposit in a predetermined dollar amount noted in your acceptance letter. After we have received and confirmed your deposit, we will send you the Certification of Finances to be completed and returned in the original, unaltered form by mail. We cannot accept this document by fax.
In addition to the Certification of Finances we need a letter from your bank verifying available funds to generate the paperwork for your I-20, which will allow you to apply for your student visa. Please obtain two sets of originals of the Certification of Finances and letter from your bank; one to send to Union, and the other to bring to your visa appointment. Once you receive the I-20 from Union you must pay the SEVIS fee online before your visa appointment. We know this is a daunting process, but we will outline everything in more detail after you've been accepted, and Student Support Services and International Admissions are ready and willing to help.
Union for International Students
Below you will find a short summary you may find useful in your college search. Do not hesitate to use the rest of Union's website to supplement the subjects covered here by using the links above and to the left.
Location:
Union is located in upstate New York in the small city of Schenectady. The campus is close to Albany, the capital of New York, and the surrounding area has a population of more than 850,000, including more than 55,000 college and university students. Union College is only a three-hour drive from New York City and Boston, and four hours from Montreal. Bus trips to surrounding cities are sponsored annually by academic departments and Student Activities. The train and bus stations are only a ten-minute walk from campus. Albany International Airport (ALB) is just a forty-minute flight from New York City, and the trip from Albany to Schenectady takes only twenty minutes by car or taxi. For more on offerings in Schenectady check out AroundU.
Climate:
Schenectady offers four distinct seasons for Union student to enjoy. There are various clubs and activities that make use of the weather year round whether it is snowy or sunny. Average temperatures include:
  avg. daily minimum avg. daily maximum Spring 1.6 degrees C (35 F) 13.9 degrees C (57 F) Summer 14.1 degrees C (57 F) 27.5 degrees C (82 F) Fall 4.2 degrees C (40 F) 16.3 degrees C (61 F) Winter -9.9 degrees C (14 F) .4 degrees C (33 F)
Room and Board:
Union provides students with the opportunity to live with a roommate, with several roommates in an apartment-style setting or occasionally alone in a single room. International students live with American students in college-owned buildings. During vacations and semester breaks, international students are allowed to stay on campus, but are encouraged to use holidays as a time to travel or live with an American family. Union's dining facilities offer a wide variety of meal options, satisfying nearly every dietary requirement.
Spirituality:
Union is one of the oldest colleges founded without an emphasis on any one religion. However, there are several student religious groups on campus and places of worship in or near Schenectady for many of the world's religions.
Culture:
Diversity is celebrated at Union in several multicultural organizations. Some of these include the African and Latino Alliance of Students, the Asian Student Union, Circulo Estudiantil Latino Americano, Russian and East European Culture Club, and Shakti, which celebrates the heritage of India. The Multicultural Resource Center offers educational, cultural, and social resources relating to cultural diversity. Thurston House, one of Union's theme houses, is a living space for international and American students with the goal of promoting Asian awareness. Past activities have included a Haiku night, a sushi competition, and a tea ceremony. There is an international festival every spring where students can represent and teach about their own backgrounds.
Global Community:
Union students think internationally. Union is ranked fourteenth among U.S. colleges in the number of students completing study abroad. Approximately 55 percent of students study abroad as part of their four-year undergraduate experience. Every year Union has visiting professors and lecturers from around the world. The Modern Languages and Literatures Department hosts weekly informal language sessions where students converse over lunch in German, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.
International Student Services:
The Director of Student Support Services provides assistance to international students once enrolled at Union. Some available services include an early fall orientation designed specifically for international students, visa and immigration assistance, academic guidance, and assistance finding host families during vacations and breaks. Visit International Student Services for more information.
Contact Information
We encourage international students to contact us via e-mail about their interest in Union College.
Admissions
Union College
807 Union Street
Schenectady, New York 12308 U.S.A.
Telephone: 518-388-6112
Fax: 518-388-6986
Contact: Mrs. Sarah Henderson Maneely
International Admissions Coordinator
E-mail: henderss@union.edu
Student Support Services
807 Union Street
Union College
Schenectady, New York 12308 U.S.A.
Telephone: 518-388-6116
Fax: 518-388-6648
E-mail: shinebas@union.edu
International Programs Office
807 Union Street
Union College
Schenectady, New York 12308 U.S.A.
Telephone: 518-388-6002
Fax: 518-388-6462
E-mail: thomasw@union.edu