Union College will offer a new early action option for prospective students seeking admission.
The new plan will give high school students an opportunity to apply to Union by Nov. 1. Students will be notified of their admissions status by Dec. 20 and have until May 1 to accept an offer. Unlike early decision, early action is non-binding. If admitted, a student is not required to attend.
The addition of an early action option will help broaden and diversify Union’s applicant pool by adding more academically talented students from across a wider geographic range. It will also allow the College to compete with other top schools that offer early action. More than 300 colleges and universities offer early action, including some of the most selective schools in the country.
The early action option will be available in August when the Common Application and Coalition Application goes live for the Class of 2024.
“The process of selecting colleges has moved up significantly in the past decade,” said Matt Malatesta ‘91, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment. “We want to be considered by students who have identified their college lists by November. We are excited to be able to offer this option and are confident it will benefit our recruiting efforts.”
Applications to Union have climbed over the past decade, from 4,829 to more than 6,000 annually. A number of external recognitions have helped raise the school’s visibility, including Union’s recent inclusion in the college guide, “The Hidden Ivies,” which highlights exceptional schools that offer a broad liberal arts education. Union was also among the Princeton Review’s list of colleges with the best return on investment, and USA Today’s College Guide ranked Union among the top five STEM schools for women.
With the addition of early action, Union now offers six application options for prospective students. This includes regular decision (Jan. 15 deadline to apply), in which students are notified by the College in late March and have until May 1 to accept an offer of admission.
There are also two rounds of early decision (Nov. 15 and Jan. 15 deadline to apply). Students receive notification within a month of the deadline on whether they have been accepted. Students applying under early decision have made a commitment to attend Union if they are accepted. Last year, 38 percent of the incoming class consisted of early decision applicants.
Students can also apply through the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program, which allows students to obtain a Union degree in three years before attending Albany Law School; or the eight-year Leadership in Medicine-Health Management Program, jointly sponsored by Union, Clarkson University (Capital Region campus) and Albany Medical College.
Malatesta said students have to decide which option best suits their needs.
“Students have many choices for college, and we want to make sure they have every opportunity to see Union as a good fit for themselves,” he said.
The College remains committed to meeting the full financial need of all admitted students. The average need-based scholarship at Union is $45,300, and merit scholarships range from $10,000 to $20,000.
Learn more about applying to Union here.
Founded in 1795 as the first planned campus in the country, Union is consistently ranked among the nation's top liberal arts colleges.
