Admissions Office
Why did you choose Union?
During my senior year, I faced a challenging decision in choosing the right college to attend. From the numerous colleges I was accepted to, financial aid and affordability ultimately narrowed my options down to three schools including Union College.
When evaluating academics and student life, I found that Union College was appealing to me because of its strong science department and the potential for personal growth through their student life. Additionally, I felt that Union College provided the best environment for me to pursue music whether I had the time or not to do so. I also did not want to attend a large university where I would feel like just a number rather than a student. Union College, being a smaller institution, was appealing to me as it promised close personal relationships with other students and faculty to excel in and out of the classroom.
Union stood out to me as it offered a well-rounded educational experience with financial aid, strong academics and student life, and close personal relationships. With the help of Career Center in my help to achieve an internship at the Smithsonian, I am confident that Union College will equip me with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed beyond graduation.
How do you describe Union to your friends and family?
Union College is a small, prestigious liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York. It boasts a warm and welcoming campus atmosphere because of the small class size and integrated first year programs. More importantly, the faculty is dedicated to providing a personalized and supportive educational experience for each student.
Union College also places a high emphasis on diversity and inclusiveness, creating a hospitable environment for students from a wide range of backgrounds. Some of these welcoming groups on campus are our cultural clubs on campus such as BSU, ASA, ASU, Union Pride, and our Office of Intercultural Affairs. The campus is alive with campus-wide events, guest speakers, and student run discussions from these organizations, clubs, and extracurricular activities offered to students. These opportunities foster an inclusive environment that supports students' pursuits beyond the classroom. The social life at Union College is also thriving, with numerous events and activities hosted on campus by Student Activities and ACE along with fraternity parties. This extensive range of clubs and organizations on campus fosters a strong sense of community among students of many different academic and cultural backgrounds.
Whether you are seeking a challenging academic experience, a supportive community, or a dynamic social life, Union College is an excellent choice.
What has been your favorite class assignment at Union?
Writing and creating a sustainability building report of the Sigma Phi off-campus fraternity house for my Environmentally Friendly Buildings course. It was a fun project to understand how us students can observe aspects of a building through their energy, water, and longevity with regards to sustainability. Observing the off-campus fraternity house, there were many flaws that we identified and were able to present in our group project on measures that could be taken.
What is your favorite thing to do in Schenectady?
My favorite thing to do is visit the Schenectady Greenmarket to support local businesses and purchase organic food. Additionally, they have cheap and sweet desserts offered that I occasionally treat myself to.
