Admissions Office
Why did you choose Union?
I knew I wanted a school that had engineering and some way for me to continue singing and dancing. When I first toured Union with my dad, I remember walking down the steps from Messa towards West College on a picture-perfect summer day and telling him I felt like I could breathe easy here. When we left campus, and for months after the visit, I kept telling myself “Oh, it’s too perfect”. I thought there was no way the students were that passionate, and the campus was that beautiful, and that it was the perfect school for me. But then it came down to the wire, and I had two days to decide where to put my deposit down. I thought back, and started to realize that Union wasn’t too good to be true; it was just the right fit for me. I’m so glad I trusted that intuition because I don’t think any other colleges would have facilitated my personal growth as much as Union has.
How do you describe Union to your friends and family?
I describe Union as a small liberal arts college with a great engineering program and a rich history. I love talking about the college’s connection to Schenectady and General Electric. I explain how we have a common curriculum system in addition to major requirements, how we have trimesters, and that the food here is pretty good! I really enjoy talking about the Nott and showing pictures. But mostly, I enjoy explaining all the cool opportunities I’ve had as a student here – all the awesome events I’ve planned and been to, the close friends I’ve made, the rooms I’ve lived in, the trips off-campus, the classes and projects, and the random memories that come with being part of a vibrant residential college.
Scrolling through my phone looking at old pictures and memories, I love seeing how far I’ve come in three years and knowing I have even more memories to make. Union is a college that cares – that sees me as an individual, and a member of the community with my own strengths and passions that I can explore in many ways. The things I commit my time to on this campus make a difference, and that’s extremely important to me. My love for Union comes across anytime I talk about my experiences here. My favorite compliment to receive at the end of a tour was for a family to say they can tell how happy I am here!
What has been your favorite class assignment at Union?
Making a model of a medical device in Solidworks (3D CAD software) for a biomedical engineering modeling class. Difficult to do, but so fun and it allowed me to be creative within my technological field.
What is your favorite place off-campus in Schenectady?
Proctors Theater – I started ushering at this beautiful, historic theater in my junior year, and have loved getting to know fellow volunteers and members of the community. Proctors hosts many touring Broadway shows, comedians and speakers, and even local dance performances and graduations. It’s an honor to be a part of such a historic organization, and be able to see so many cool shows!
