Union College Intro Brochure

“At Union, students really balance exploring their interests with trying new things. For me, that meant neuroscience and basketball plus Ceramics Club and Greek life. But for others it can mean dance and journalism or robotics and student government. You make friends through each opportunity who you never would have met otherwise.”

AMBER RAISNER

”I see myself as an advocate and a macro-advisor for my students. I really listen to what’s going on in their lives and show pride in their accomplishments. I also help them face challenges, discern paths forward and connect with resources all around campus.”

DEREK ZUCKERMAN, CLASS DEAN

“In our role as academic advisors, faculty emphasize a global and interdisciplinary approach. We guide students while they grow as international citizens, think more broadly and stretch beyond familiar academic disciplines.”

PROFESSOR DANIEL MOSQUERA

“UNION IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO WILL PUSH YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND SUPPORT YOU ALONG THE WAY.”

CATE LLEWELLYN

“I wanted a college where I could study every subject I found interesting and be around people who build each other up. That’s Union.” OTTENS

At Union, you’ll take three courses each term and meet with your academic advisor 50 percent more than at most colleges and universities. You’ll find more entry points to new academic interests, and access popular classes and common prerequisites more easily. And you’ll enjoy the flexibility to study abroad, even in the most structured majors.

> 62 majors and minors

> 3 terms per year (fall, winter, spring)

> Average intro-level class size: 24

> Average upper-level class size: 14

> 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio

> 100% of classes taught by faculty (no teaching assistants)

> Our Complex Questions: Global Challenges and Social Justice curriculum prepares students to drive meaningful change in the world.

> 80% of students complete a faculty-mentored senior thesis or capstone project, and many present this work at our annual Steinmetz Symposium research showcase.

> Our innovative Minerva Program integrates academic, residential and social life.

> Every student participates in our Residential Curriculum, which focuses on personal achievement, self-care and wellness, engagement, and reflection.

Africana

German Studies

LatinHistoryAmerican and Caribbean Studies

Managerial

Declare a major (or two). Get hands-on experience in an internship. Prepare for your career while developing the versatility to embrace change within your field— or another career path entirely. CAREER FIELDS OF RECENT GRADUATES

At Union, 75 percent of students study more than one discipline, which leads to some bold and exciting connections. Here are a few ways they’ve done it.

ANTHROPOLOGYCLASSICS+

Pursuing a Ph.D. in archaeology at the University of Michigan.

ENGINEERING+MUSIC

Investigated quantitative measures to assess the effectiveness of vocal exercises.

DATAECONOMICS+ANALYTICS

Secured an internship and then a full-time job as a risk analyst at PwC.

MEDICINEHISTORY+

Presented a paper on the connection between 20th century wars and cancer research.

Life on campus

> A diverse student body: 25% are domestic students of color, and 9% are international

> 92% of students live on campus, and housing is guaranteed all four years.

> 130 student clubs organizations

> 24 Div. III athletic teams, men’s and women’s ice hockey teams in Div. I, and intramural and club sports

> 10 residential fraternities and sororities, which students may join their sophomore

> 13 student-run theme houses

> Over 30 service programs offered our community

Our favorite Union traditions

Themed dining pop-ups and Friday organic lunches at student-run Ozone Café; big-name bands at Springfest; the International Students Fair brought to you by your classmates from around the world; Lothridge Festival of Dance, featuring students who’ve got all the right moves; Pride Fest with the LGBTQ+ community and allies; the Dutch Dip fundraiser (because you’ve always wanted to plunge down an outdoor water slide in winter); and the celebratory graduation walk through the western door of the Nott Memorial. UNION

All students and faculty belong to one of seven Minerva Houses, which bring together the campus community for hundreds of events each year. With a generous programming budget, students plan and host everything from film discussions to pancake study breaks.

Walkable and SCHENECTADYSPECIFICALLYwonderfulBikes,hikesandparks.

Make your way by foot, bicycle or skateboard along the nearby Mohawk River on a 97-mile-long bike-hike trail. Stroll through our city’s own Central Park and its famous Rose Garden.

Just for foodies. There are some 50 restaurants within a 2-mile radius of campus, from Moroccan to Mexican, sandwiches to sushi. Have a latte along a cobblestone pedestrian walkway, or find your sweet spot at one of many family-owned Italian bakeries.

The shows go on. Proctors, Bow Tie Cinemas, Schenectady Civic Theater, Schenectady Light Opera, Mopco Improv—discover a hit parade of theaters and venues. See a touring Broadway blockbuster or a homegrown revue.

Historic and modern. From the 300-year-old Stockade neighborhood to gleaming Mohawk Harbor, amazing history sits side by side with new eateries, businesses and co-working spaces.

Sunday Greenmarket. This year-round farmers market is among the best in the region. Shop/eat local and see friends, faculty, and President Harris and his family.

Community connections. Get involved in community-building projects at local schools, arts centers, youth programs, rehab centers and more.

It’s electric. Schenectady is home to GE and other early innovators. Today, many industries and businesses thrive here, and more than 40 local companies welcome Union students as interns.

For day trips and field trips, students venture beyond Schenectady. It’s a short drive to Albany, the capital of New York state, and only a few hours (by car, train or bus) to New York City, Boston and Montreal. Our proximity to the Adirondack, Berkshire and Green mountains means our skiing and outdoors clubs are some of the most popular among students.

And beyond

OF STUDENTS SPEND A TERM

Union offers 40 full terms and mini-terms abroad in 25 countries. Most programs are led by our own Union faculty, so you will get to know your professors beyond the campus environment.

Closer to home, our winter term San Francisco Internship on Innovation and Creativity combines a course on culture and entrepreneurship in the Silicon Valley with valuable experience working for start-ups and other companies. And, with the help of the Becker Career Center’s wide-reaching network of Union alumni and employers, you’ll have no trouble securing a summer internship anywhere your interests lead—from Wall Street to the Warner Bros. lot.

APPLYING TO UNION

> Union accepts the Coalition Application and the Common Application.

> Early Action deadline: Nov. 1

> Early Decision deadlines: Nov. 1 and Jan. 15

> Regular Decision deadline: Jan. 15

> Leadership in Medicine (LIM) deadline: Nov. 1

> 3+3 Law deadline: Jan. 15

> Union is test optional. Half of our enrolled students did not submit test scores. For those who did submit: Middle 50% ACT range is 29-34; middle 50% SAT range is 1330-1470.

> Admitted students’ average GPA is A-/B+.

> Personal interviews are recommended.

LEARN MORE

The best way to learn more about Union is to meet our students, faculty and staff. We welcome students and families to campus throughout the year. We also offer a variety of virtual programs.

PAYING FOR UNION

> Nearly 60% of students receive need-based financial aid; over 30% receive merit scholarships.

> Union awards more than $60 million in grants and scholarships each year.

> The average need-based financial aid package is $55,000.

> Merit scholarships, awarded to top applicants each year, range from $15,000-$25,000.

> The Making U Possible program offers grants to many students who otherwise would qualif y for only minimal need-based aid.

ANNUAL COST

Union’s comprehensive fee (tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees) is $79,722 for 2022-2023. The estimated costs for books and personal expenses is $2,000. ADMISSIONS.UNION.EDU INFORMATION.