FALL 2013
GREETINGS FROM ADMISSIONS AT UNION I H O P E Y O U H A D A R E S T F U L S U M M E R A N D T H AT Y O U R S C H O O L Y E A R I S O F F T O A G O O D S TA R T.
This letter includes statistics about our most recent admissions year to help with your counseling and some general information about Union (to help with our recruiting!). One afternoon this summer, I was speaking with a parent on the front porch of Grant Hall about his daughter’s college search. I heard, and not for the first time, “Colleges all say the same things” during information sessions and tours. This is frustrating to me, as well! Union is naturally proud of its commitment to international programs and undergraduate research. Other colleges have them, too. Our tipping point is that the majority of our students have these opportunities, and they are hallmarks of the Union experience. I encourage students to “look under the hood and check the tires” when considering colleges. See if the opportunities described are the exception, the norm or the promise of the college experience.
International studies at Union • The Institute for International Education ranks Union in the top 20 among U.S. colleges for the total number of students studying abroad. • Nearly 60% of our students participate in study abroad programs. • We run 23 of our own terms abroad plus 12 mini-terms; 80% are faculty-led. • Terms abroad integrate language and culture studies with internships, community service, research and group excursions.
Research at Union • Union was ranked #1 in the U.S. for the number of active National Science Foundation (NSF) grants last year. • More than 3/4 of Union students are actively engaged in research. • Union has funded summer research on campus for more than 25 years. This summer, 140 students participated in our program. • Steinmetz Symposium, Union’s student research showcase, dates to 1991. This year, it attracted 450 students, who presented their own research, senior projects, performances and theses before their peers, professors and visiting parents. If you would like to see Union research in action, drop me a note. The next Steinmetz Symposium will be held May 9, 2014. We offer a two-day counselor program organized around the event, and I’m happy to add you to the list. Please check out the 2013 presentations at steinmetz.union.edu As always, thanks for taking the time to read my correspondence, and for emailing (malatesm@union.edu) feedback and sharing the Union story with your students who may be a good match for us.
Matthew Malatesta ’91 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMISSIONS, FINANCIAL AID AND ENROLLMENT
Buildings and renovations: The $2.3 million Wicker Wellness Center, opening this term, offers expanded health, wellness and counseling services to promote the physical and mental well-being of the Union community. The Humanities Building, to be named Karp Hall, is undergoing renovations, with new classrooms, faculty offices and study spaces for the departments of English and Modern Languages and Literatures.
Bioengineering accreditation: Union’s bioengineering major, which was introduced in 2009 and bridges engineering and the life sciences, has received accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Business and technology: The Entrepreneurship Club fosters innovative thinking and hosts a range of activities, from guest speakers in finance and industry to a business plan competition. Tech House, our 13th theme house, offers a home to students with a passion for technology.
To Russia with love of learning: A spring term abroad will take students to Irkutsk, Russia. Students will learn about the global environment, gain a better understanding of Russian language and Siberian culture, and intern with an NGO, museum or school. Shaping the future: The College launches its 2013 Strategic Plan this fall, reaffirming its core values and mission as a scholarly community where students learn to make academic, intellectual and social connections that change the world.
ACCOLADES FOR U IN 2013
A leap forward: The Henle Dance Pavilion is now in full swing. This $3 million facility overlooking Jackson’s Garden is home to our growing dance program, which draws students from all academic disciplines.
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> www.union.edu /admissions
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NEW AT U
malatesm@union.edu
• #11 Most Beautiful U.S. Colleges (Newsweek and The Daily Beast) • Cited by both Forbes and AffordableCollegesOnline as a leading school for return on investment • #13 Small and Mighty Campus of Excellence (Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life) • #15 Best College Radio Station, #5 Most Popular Study Abroad program, #19 Best Science Lab Facilities (The Princeton Review, 2013)
FALL 2013
GREETINGS ANN FLEMING BROWN Director of Admissions browna@union.edu
Connecticut, New York City, Northern California VERNON CASTILLO Senior Associate Dean of Admissions castillv@union.edu
Latin America, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Western Massachusetts DEANNA COX ’10 Admissions Counselor coxd@union.edu
Alaska, Hawaii, Long Island/Mid-Hudson/Western regions of New York, Oregon, Washington SUSAN HANKS Senior Associate Dean of Admissions hankss@union.edu
Arizona, Capital Region of New York, Eastern Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah JESSICA LAVALLEE Assistant Dean of Admissions lavallej@union.edu
Delaware, New Jersey, Southeastern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN) MATTHEW MALATESTA ’91 Vice President for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment malatesm@union.edu
Philadelphia, Southern California ABBEY MASSOUD-TASTOR ’07 Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions/Director of Alumni Admissions massouda@union.edu
Canada, Maryland, Putnam/Rockland/Westchester counties of New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington, DC AARON RAY ’10 Assistant Dean of Admissions/Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment raya@union.edu
AT A GL ANCE: CLASS OF 2017
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ADMISSIONS DEANS’ REGIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
FROM ADMISSIONS AT UNION
ADMISSIONS STATISTICS Applied
5,725
Accepted
2,134
Enrolled
563
GEOGRAPHIC STATISTICS New England
41%
New York
30%
Mid-Atlantic
11%
Rest of U.S.
10%
International
8%
GENDER Female
48%
Male
52%
ETHNICITY African-American
4%
American Indian or Alaska Native
less than 1%
Asian
5%
Hispanic
6%
Multi-Racial
2%
TESTING Union is test optional Middle 50% SAT range is 1820-2090
Midwestern states (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI), New York City, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Avg. SAT for enrolled students is 1950 (640/670/640)
MARY KAREN VELLINES Coordinator of International Admissions
Avg. ACT for enrolled students is 30
Middle 50% ACT range is 28-31
> www.union.edu /admissions
vellinem@union.edu
International (Africa, Asia, Europe, India, Middle East, Oceania)
ONGOING AT U
JESSICA WENGER ’10 Assistant Dean of Admissions wengerj@union.edu
Union offers $39 million annually in scholarships to more than 60% of students.
Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountain states (CO, ID, MT, NM, WY)
The average need-based scholarship is $32,000. The average merit award is $10,000.
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