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Contact UsYou are always welcome to contact us with questions. Please see our contact page for specifics. |
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Quick Stats
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FAQ's
- What type of college is Union?
- What is the curriculum like?
- How does the incoming class look?
- Am I required to purchase a computer?
- Are the classrooms at Union 'technology ready'?
- Are there any accelerated programs?
- What kind of academic calendar is Union on?
- What is the campus like?
- Can I have a car on campus?
- What about internship and research opportunities?
- Do students feel safe at Union?
- What about Greek life on campus?
- What is there to do in Schenectady?
- What's there to do for fun?
- Do students have a lot of contact with professors?
- What type of student is happiest at Union?
- How's the food?
- What about housing...can I choose my own roommate?
- How much is tuition and what kind of financial aid is available?
- Are standardized tests required?
What type of college is Union?
Independent, co-educational, liberal arts college with engineering for students of high academic promise and strong personal motivation.
What is the curriculum like?
There are 30 degree programs offered in 37 academic departments, and a wealth of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental programs and majors. An extensive array of International Programs are available to study abroad, with specialized mini-terms in Marine Studies, National Health Systems and community service and a number of formal exchange programs. Two-thirds of all students have an international experience.
What does the current class look like?
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2006 |
2007 |
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Gender |
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Female |
280 |
286 |
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Male |
287 |
275 |
Demographics |
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African-American |
20 |
25 |
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Asian |
33 |
40 |
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Hispanic |
23 |
25 |
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Other |
5 |
4 |
General Statistics
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35% of the class is Early Decision |
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69% attended public high schools |
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68% is receiving financial aid |
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64% graduated in the top 10% of their class |
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Average SAT for admitted students is 1310 (640/670) |
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Average SAT for enrolling students is 1260 (620/640) |
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2006 |
2007 |
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Admissions Statistics
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Applied |
4373 |
4837 |
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Accepted
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1862 |
2093 |
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Enrolled
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560 |
561 |
Fields of Study |
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Humanities
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77 |
69 |
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Social Sciences
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138 |
133 |
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Science
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170 |
149 |
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Engineering
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61 |
91 |
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Undeclared
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114 |
117 |
Location Statistics |
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New York
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191 |
204 |
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New England
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216 |
233 |
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Mid-Atlantic
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80 |
71 |
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Rest of US
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54 |
34 |
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International
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19 |
18 |
Am I required to purchase a computer?
No. However, most students on campus own a computer.
Are the classrooms at Union 'technology ready'?
Union has more than 20 'electronic classrooms.' Each has a podium equipped with full multimedia and network access. Many of these rooms also have networked computers for student use.
Are there any accelerated programs?
Yes, in medicine, law and business.
What kind of academic calendar is Union on?
The trimester calendar separates the school year into three 10-week terms. Students typically take three courses per term.
School begins in September and ends in June with a winter break of more than five weeks providing a unique opportunity for research, travel and internships.
Keep in mind that a Union course covers the same amount of material in 10 weeks that other colleges cover in 15.
What is the campus like?
Beautiful! Set on 120 acres in downtown Schenectady, N.Y., including eight acres of formal gardens and woodland known as Jackson’s Garden, Union is the first campus in America with a unified plan. The gorgeous 16-sided Nott Memorial is a National Historic Landmark. We’re located in the heart of Upstate New York’s Tech Valley, a burgeoning cultural and commercial region. And we’re close to world class cities like New York, Boston and Montreal, as well as rural areas, wilderness and major East Coast ski slopes like Gore, Stratton and Mt. Snow. Of course, nothing beats a visit to campus, or take our virtual tour.
Can I have a car on campus?
Not as a first year student. After your first year, you may bring your car to school. Union offers shuttle service to several locations off campus. Public transportation is also available in Schenectady. You'll find, though, that there is so much going on here on our campus – check out the Minervas and Student Activities – that you probably won’t want or need to leave too often.
What about internship and research opportunities?
The Becker Career Center is available to all students to assist with finding internships.
Undergraduate research is one of the cornerstones of a Union education. There are tremendous opportunities both on and off campus that can be tailored to your interests. Just about every academic department requires students to complete some form of research in their subject area before graduation
Do students feel safe at Union?
Yes. Campus Safety is on duty 24/7 and is constantly patrolling the campus on foot, bike and in vehicles. Emergency poles are stationed throughout campus to alert Campus Safety of any problems immediately. There is also video surveillance. The Union Trolley runs a circuit around campus providing a safe means of travel and escorts are available to students.
What about Greek life on campus?
Another area of interest for many prospective students is Greek life. Union College is a place of many firsts; in fact, the modern Greek system was founded here in 1825. Our 12 fraternities and five sororities are large supporters of community service projects and campus activities. Currently, about a third of all Union students belong to fraternities and sororities, while 47 percent of eligible students (sophomore, juniors and seniors) are members. With a new director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, the College is working to make Greek life on campus an even more positive, enriching experience. Fraternities and sororities not for you? It’s important to know that they are a lifestyle option, and there is no pressure to join. They are just one choice among many for social, recreational and community service activities.
What is there to do in Schenectady?
Schenectady is undergoing extraordinary expansion in terms of things to do and explore. From indoor rock climbing and waterfront festivals to Italian bakeries and Carribbean markets, from concerts and movies to a renowned historic theater (Proctor’s) and Art Night Schenectady, there is a lot available right now. That’s why we put together a Web site to feature what’s Around U.
What's there to do for fun?
Here's a taste of what Union has to offer:
- Campus Calendars
- Student Activities
- The Minerva House System
- Arts and Culture at Union
- Athletics
- Visiting speakers
- Renowned Concert Series
Do students have a lot of contact with professors?
Yes, definitely. Almost every professor on campus has open office hours every day. You can drop in and talk to them almost anytime. Professors at Union are easily accessible, whether in person or by e-mail. It’s not unusual for a professor to invite students to his or her home for dinner, as well. In fact, one of the things alumni usually cite about Union is the close-knit, and often lifelong, relationships they’ve made with faculty.
What type of student is happiest at Union?
Students here know what they want and how to make things happen. Students who know how to get involved, have the self-confidence to take action, and know how to manage their time well are successful at Union.
How is the food?
There are a lot of options available, including two dining halls, a deli and an underground grill (the Skellar) as well as a Starbucks and Smoothie kiosk. Café Ozone dishes up an all-organic selection of health-conscious lunches every Friday, promoting sustainability and local agriculture. The popularity of that student-run venture led to the opening of the organic marketplace known as O3 in Reamer Campus Center in fall 2007, offering a daily selection of organic and locally grown produce, meats and cheeses. In short, there is something to whet everyone’s appetite, and Dining Services is always up for new ideas and suggestions. As a first-year student, you will be on a meal plan, eating just about all of those meals in West Dining Hall. Eating together means you’ll really get to know each other.
What about housing...can I choose my own roommate?
Once you send in your deposit to secure your place in the first-year class, you will be sent housing preference forms by the Office of Residence Life. On these forms, you will indicate your preferences, and Residence Life will match you with a roommate whose preferences correspond with yours. The forms will ask about your sleeping and studying habits, your preferences regarding smoking, whether you want to live in a coed or single-sex dorm, etc. Send your housing preference forms in as soon as possible to ensure that you will be matched with the best possible roommate for you. After your first year, housing will be determined through a lottery system, and you will be able to select your roommate(s).
How much is tuition and what kind of financial aid is available?
Union strives to make a rigorous, quality education affordable for students and families. Please check our Financial Aid Web site for current costs.
Are standardized tests required?
No. Admission to Union is merit-based and driven by years of academic success, as reflected on the transcript. Union seeks students with excellent academic credentials. Those credentials are, primarily, transcripts. To underscore that belief, recently Union dropped its requirement that students submit the SATs or ACT. We do not want to discourage student from submitting data that will help us best understand their abilities; we do want to give students the choice of what to present, understanding that all candidates will receive a careful, holistic review of their application. Also important are the recommendations of your secondary school. Beyond academic excellence, the Admissions Committee looks carefully at students' personal backgrounds and talents as we seek to fully understand their promise of contribution to the overall Union College community.