Admissions Office
Transfer students may apply to any of our three academic terms. After a term deadline, please contact the Admissions office to discuss a late application.
- Winter term applications are due by November 1.
- Spring term applications are due by February 1.
- For earliest consideration, the deadline for fall term applications is April 15, but Fall Transfer applicants are considered on a rolling basis throughout the summer.
Applying
To be considered for transfer admission, please submit the following:
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Official college or university transcript(s)
- Official high school transcript(s)
- Academic Evaluation, which is a recommendation letter from a college instructor
- College Report form or Coalition Transfer Report form
- Transfer Mid-Term Report (form may be used with Common App or Coalition App)
- Financial Aid Forms (if applying for need-based aid)
- TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test is required if English is not your first language. English language proficiency waivers are granted on an individual basis at the discretion of the admissions team.
Application materials may be submitted electronically to admissions@union.edu or mailed to Office of Admissions, Grant Hall, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308. Please note all transcripts must be official copies sent to Union directly from the issuing institution.
What we look for
Successful transfer applicants present a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one semester of full-time academic work in courses comparable to those offered at Union College. Consideration is also given to recommendations and personal qualities. In particular, we look for students who can participate enthusiastically and constructively in the life of the College.
Union has a longstanding commitment to admitting an economically diverse student body. We meet the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. In order to meet this commitment we are need aware in the admissions process.
Transfer of credits
Transfer credit decisions are made by the Dean of Studies and faculty members, who work together to determine which courses will transfer from other institutions. Courses in the liberal arts, sciences and engineering that are roughly comparable to courses taught at Union are usually awarded credit. Credit is only given for courses in which a student has earned a C or better.
Union accepts a maximum of two years' worth of credit (about 60 credits from a semester school) or the equivalent of 18 Union College courses. Union also does have a maximum limit for considering applicants: once a student has completed more than four full years of college-level work, they are no longer eligible to transfer, unless they are seeking a second degree in engineering.
For additional information, please see our guidelines below:
Frequently asked questions
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What if I am an international transfer student – what else do I need to do to apply?
- International applicants must submit certified English translations of all secondary and university-level course work completed.
- We also require a recent TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score if English is not your first language. English language proficiency waivers are granted on an individual basis at the discretion of the admissions team. To receive our ELPT Waiver Request Form, you may email admissions@union.edu after submitting your application. The form will then be added to your Union applicant portal to complete.
- If you wish to submit an interview, you may do so via InitialView or Vericant.
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Is an interview required?
A personal interview is not required for your application, but you may view our current appointment times and register for an in-person or online interview.
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May I reapply if I previously applied as a first-year student?
Yes, by reapplying using the Common Application or Coalition Application for Transfer students.
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How important are my high school grades and standardized test scores?
Since the transfer process is a competitive one, an applicant’s entire academic history is considered in the admissions process. However, the longer a student has already been in college, the less important standardized test scores or the high school record becomes.
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Is financial aid available for transfer students?
Yes. Financial aid applicants must submit the CSS PROFILE Form, available online at www.collegeboard.org, the Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov as well as some supplemental forms. These must be submitted by the admissions application deadline. Union also offers merit-based financial assistance to qualified transfer students.
International students seeking financial assistance must complete the College Board's CSS Profile. This application is available online at www.collegeboard.org. The International Certification of Finances will also be required for students prior to enrollment at the College. It is recommended that applicants to the College be prepared to contribute a minimum of $7,500 U.S. towards their cost of attendance. While we ask students to contribute a minimum of $7,500 per year towards their education, applicants who can contribute $30,000 or more per year will be most competitive for admission. International applicants should be advised, however, that competition for funding is intense as it is limited.
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Are transfer students required to live on campus?
Union is a residential college with on-campus housing available to all students. To live off-campus or commute, students must contact the Office of Residential Education & Housing and request to be released from Union's residential requirement. Permission to live off-campus is not guaranteed.