Requirements of the Scholars Program

  1. Scholars take two accelerated courses: Honors First Year Preceptorial in the fall of their first year and Scholars Research Seminar in the winter or spring of their first year. (These courses take the place of the standard First Year Preceptorial and Sophomore Research Seminar that other students take.) These courses cover similar material to their non-Scholar counterparts, but add increased breadth and depth to the material and discussions. As a result, Scholars are well prepared to take on their Sophomore Independent Study Project.

  2. In the second year, all Scholars must complete a Sophomore Independent Project. The project consists of a two term independent project with a faculty supervisor.  The scholar initiates the idea for the project and works with a faculty member to develop and research the project. The scholar receives one course credit for this project.  For more information, please see the Sophomore Project FAQ.

  3. Additional course work.  Scholars are required to have at least two courses beyond the standard graduation requirements in order to graduate as a Union College Scholar. For most majors, this means 38 courses rather than 36; for engineering majors, this means 42 courses rather than 40. The Sophomore Independent Study Project and Advanced Placement courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.

  4. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above.

Opportunities and Expectations

 The Union College Scholars Program is designed to be flexible; thus each scholar may use the base requirement as a "jumping off point" to greater opportunities. So while none of the options listed below are required, we expect that scholars will challenge themselves by taking advantage of many of these opportunities, as well as creating their own.

  • Extra courses: one extra course each term, free of charge. GPA must be 3.2 or above at the time of the enrollment in the extra course.
  • Senior Scholars Colloquium
  • Summer research funding: a limited number of scholars receive funding (usually room, board and a small stipend) to pursue research with faculty members during the summer break.
  • Speakers and trips: the Union College Scholars Program sponsors a variety of guest speakers and trips during the academic year. Scholars are invited to propose and organize events through the Scholars Steering Committee.
  • Other: Scholars do NOT receive special consideration for the following programs. However, extra courses and projects often make scholars very well prepared candidates for these programs.

Details of the Scholars Program

Selection
Top students admitted to the first-year class are invited to the Scholars Program. Each year, approximately 50 students are admitted to the program. Applicants will notified by the last week of April.

Union Scholars Program Preview
All potential Scholars are encouraged to attend the Union Scholars Program Preview Weekend in April, which includes presentations by current Scholars and faculty, an overnight stay in a residence hall, and class visits.

Financial Aid
There is no additional financial aid associated with the Scholars Program, but all Scholars take additional courses at no extra charge. Currently, more than half of Union students receive need-based financial aid.

Residence Life
Union Scholars do not share a residence hall; instead, Union’s Residence Life Office matches students based on study habits, lifestyles, and residence hall preferences. There are a variety of living options available at Union, and Scholars are welcome to take advantage of all of them.

For More Information
Should you have any questions about the program, please call Scholars Program Director Margaret Tongue at (518) 388-8311, or e-mail tonguem@union.edu.