Admissions Office
Why did you choose Union?
Coming from Ecuador, I have always wanted to go to college abroad. I first heard about Union in a presentation that I was invited to at my school in Quito. Nicole Buenzli had come to present and I was interested in Union from the very start. I began emailing Nicole with several questions because I wanted to make sure that I got a good picture of what Union was like. I knew that I wanted a small liberal arts college where I could explore a variety of interests before deciding on a major. At the age of 17, I did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to do the rest of my life so I was looking for a college that would not only accept but welcome this feeling of uncertainty. The small class sizes and the ideal professor student ratio also called my attention since I wanted a very personalized learning experience. I researched as much as I could about Union and Schenectady since I could not personally visit. The idea of Minerva Houses was fascinating to me, and I loved the idea that as soon as you got to Union you were already part of a small personalized community within the college. Union ended up becoming one of my top choices.
How do you describe Union to your friends and family?
Union is my home away from home. I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I get on the plane to make my way to Schenectady. I am so at home at Union because it is a place where I can be unapologetically myself and at the same time grow into the person that I want to be. I describe Union as a small college that is very academically-centered but where you never miss a chance to explore, build, and have fun. Students are given the opportunity to explore interesting classes, fun clubs and to step outside their comfort zone. Union has helped me find myself by offering me the chance to discover my interests through exposure to different people with different backgrounds and majors. I arrived at Union not knowing what I wanted to major in and now I am a double major involved in several clubs across campus.
What has been your favorite class assignment at Union?
When I took “Intro to Fiction,” my professor encouraged us to do a lot of creative writing and the best assignment was when we were asked to write a fairytale with full creative freedom, which I greatly enjoyed since it helped me continue my hobby of writing.
What is your favorite place off-campus in Schenectady?
My favorite place is Proctors Theatre where I have seen several wonderful shows with my friends including “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Frozen.” I love going to the Theater, so it is great to find a place so close to campus where I can go and enjoy a great show with my friends.
