September 13, 2002: Volume 56, Number 1

Freshman class: 577 and strong

A large and academically strong freshman class at Union College is due in large part to the popularity of two enriched academic programs – Union Scholars and the Leadership in Medicine -- and an expansion of merit aid offerings, according to Union College officials.

Union College this week welcomes 577 students to the Class of 2006, a 10 percent increase over last year's class of 522. On academic quality indicators, 58 percent of the students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, compared with 55 percent last year. The average SAT for this year's class is 1240, up 10 points from last year.

For the first time ever, nearly a quarter of the students are Union Scholar quality, with GPA's of 95, class ranking in the top 5 percent and SATs over 1340, said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions and financial aid.  "As impressive as those numbers are, I've been pleased to hear the many outstanding comments from faculty who have had contact with the new students."

Union Scholars carry an extra course in at least two of their four years at no extra cost. They also enroll in a special two-term seminar in their freshman year, and do a two-term independent study with a professor in their sophomore year.

Students in the Leadership in Medicine program earn a bachelor's degree in three years, a master's in health systems administration in four, and a medical degree (through Albany Medical College) in eight.

The College admitted 64 freshmen in the Scholars program and 17 in the eight-year leadership in Medicine program. Though enrollment numbers are essentially the same as last year, those programs attracted more qualified applicants than ever, Lundquist said.

"Even though a number of high-performing students are initially attracted to the Scholars program, we have to cap enrollment and many Scholar Nominees matriculate anyway," said Lundquist. "Some of those students may later opt to become Seward Fellows (an honors program that begins in the sophomore year)."

On merit scholarships, the College modified and expanded its program, dropping the average award size from $20,000 to $13,500 and expanding the target group to a larger number of top candidates, Lundquist said.

"No amount of sheer boosterism will get these kids to come to Union over their other alternatives," said Lundquist. "These students come to Union because it's a great college that, ultimately, 'sells' itself."

Because of the large class size, a total of 33 students are living in triple rooms. Students in the triple rooms, which are larger than most, receive a discount in their room fee.

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