UNION ISN’T
JUST OUR NAME.
IT’S NOT JUST WRITTEN ON OUR BUILDINGS AND T-SHIRTS.
UNION IS WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE GET OUR STRENGTH.
A UNION OF LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
The world is changing—fast. In fact, in the single second it took you to read that sentence, something changed the future of something else. So how can we prepare you for a future none of us can predict?
We’ll encourage you to think laterally, literally and figuratively. We’ll teach you about artificial intelligence and genuine human emotion. We’ll help you connect the dots between different disciplines in unexpected and ingenious ways.
With our unique three-term academic calendar, you’ll take three courses at a time. This means increased flexibility in scheduling; the opportunity to dive deep academically without getting overwhelmed; and more frequent, meaningful interactions with your academic adviser.
A UNION OF DEPTH and BREADTH
WANT TO BE AN ENGINEER WHO CAN QUOTE SHAKESPEARE? COME HITHER.
An exhibit by Dhea Khotari, a studio fine arts and psychology double major, highlighted issues affecting women in contemporary Indian society.
Union students specialize in something but dabble in everything. Our athletic stars also star in plays. Our students study macroeconomics and nanotechnology. Our Greek life presidents learn about ancient Greek philosophers and U.S. presidents. And yes—some of our engineering students quote The Bard in everyday conversation.
For his senior thesis, Ollie Taylor, a computer science and classics double major, used convolutional neural networks to help archaeologists classify ancient Greek pottery fragments more rapidly.
Students in The Science of Human Movement course studied the particulars of the musculoskeletal system from the perspectives of biology and dance.
Here are some combinations that our students are studying:
BIOLOGY CHINESE
CLASSICS PHYSICS
ECONOMICS CHEMISTRY
ASIAN STUDIES FILM STUDIES
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING COMPUTER SCIENCE
PHILOSOPHY LAW & HUMANITIES
NEUROSCIENCE COMPUTER SCIENCE
VISUAL ARTS GENDER, SEXUALITY & WOMEN’S STUDIES
ANTHROPOLOGY GEOSCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ENGLISH
MATH SOCIOLOGY DANCE DATA ANALYTICS
AFRICANA STUDIES PSYCHOLOGY
POLITICAL SCIENCE THEATER
FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE STUDIES JEWISH STUDIES
BIOCHEMISTRY HISTORY MUSIC
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ASTRONOMY
beinG A LEADER AND HAVING A MENTOR
At Union, we offer small classes taught by professors, not grad students or teaching assistants. Our students are able to connect directly with our world-renowned faculty on a deeper level, often inspiring them to push beyond what they thought possible.
“I was nervous about studying abroad but knew it would help me grow. Before going, I was able to take a class with the professor leading the term. He gave me the confidence to take a chance on the experience. My time in Argentina was amazing, and I might have missed out on it without all the encouragement.”
Grace Warren , Spanish & Hispanic studies major, Latin American & Caribbean studies and anthropology minors
“I came to Union to study computer science, but my adviser encouraged me to try classes that were unrelated to my major. My first thought was: Why? Then I auditioned for a play and discovered that I really, really liked it. And that’s the thing about Union: There’s so much to try and people who support you trying new things.”
Jay Hernandez, computer science major and theater minor 24 Average intro
Professor Chandra Pappu teaches an electrical engineering lab class on discrete systems and signals.
Students in Professor Sheri Lullo’s Chinese Architecture course use 3D-printed Chinese dougong, or interlocking wooden brackets,that were made in Union’s Makerspace.
A UNION OF
maJORS AND MINORS
MAJORS AND MINORS
Africana Studies
American Studies
Anthropology
Art History
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Biochemistry*
Biological Sciences
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Chinese
Civil Engineering*
Classics
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Economics
Electrical Engineering
English
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Policy
Environmental Science
French & Francophone Studies
Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies
Geosciences
German Studies
History
Latin American & Caribbean Studies
Managerial Economics*
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Music
Neuroscience
Organizing Theme (self-designed)
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian & East European Studies
Science, Technology & Society
Sociology
Spanish & Hispanic Studies
Studio Fine Arts
Theater
75%
of Union students study more than one field.
You can double major, add a minor (or two), create your own major or pursue one of 20+ uniquely interdisciplinary offerings.
ADDITIONAL MINORS
Astrophysics
Creative Writing
Dance
Data Analytics
Digital Media
Digital Studies
Energy Studies
Film Studies
Financial & Actuarial Mathematics
Global & Popular Musics
Greek Japanese
Jewish Studies
Latin
Law & Humanities
Music Technology
Nanotechnology
Public History
Statistics
JOINT PROGRAMS
3+3 Accelerated Law Program (B.A. plus J.D.)
8-Year Leadership in Medicine Program (B.S., plus M.S. or M.B.A., plus M.D.)
A UNION OF piCTURE-PERFECT MOMENTS AND THE BEAUTY OF REAL LIFE
Meet people—maybe even your new best friend— at your Minerva House during the Minerva Olympics, one of the highlights of orientation.
Make a difference while making memories through annual events like “The Dip” (a Colleges Against Cancer annual fundraiser) or volunteering with one of the Kenney Community Center’s 30+ partners.
Perform in front of standing-room only crowds at the Winter Dance Concert or Lothridge Festival of Dance.
Enjoy big-name performers at Springfest, a spring term favorite.
Grab your Union gear, join the crowds and cheer on our Div. I ice hockey teams and 24 Div. III teams.
Sow seeds for sustainability and community as a volunteer in Octopus’s Garden, the studentrun organic vegetable garden.
Support our LGBTQ+ community at Pride Fest, which caps off a week of celebratory activities and events.
2,100 students from 42 states and 58 countries
92% of students live on campus, and housing is guaranteed all four years.
130+ clubs and organizations, including more than 30 different cultural and affinity groups
100% of students belong to one of our seven student-run Minerva Houses, which bring together academic, residential and social life through hundreds of events each year.
Snap a photo with Big Charger and Little Charger, our Garnet Chargers mascot team.
A UNION OF THE EMPIRE STATE AND THE eleCTRIC CITY
Union is located in the vibrant city of Schenectady, N.Y., in the heart of the Northeast. In addition to all downtown has to offer, you’ll find the stores you know and love only a short drive or Union shuttle ride away. Our campus is 20 minutes from Albany (New York’s state capital and nearest airport); an hour from some of the East Coast’s best skiing and hiking; and less than three hours from New York City and Boston.
HIKE AND BIKE
Lively annual events, from street fests to soup strolls and wing walks
SPECIFICALLY SCHENECTADY
50+ restaurants, cafés, eateries and bakeries
Broadway shows at Proctors, plus movies, improv and more
Shops, boutiques and one of the best farmers markets in the region
The great outdoors: Trails, parks and harborside activities just steps from campus
GO TO THE BIG CITY
HIT THE SLOPES
Union students visited Credit Suisse in New York City to talk with alumni during Union’s Financial Network Finance Boot Camp program.
Ryo Hashimoto worked at a school for Masai children while on a Klemm Fellow Internship program in Arusha, Tanzania.
Political science major Mia Raiti researched affordable housing legislation as an intern with the Albany County Legislative Black Caucus.
If you want to make a scientific breakthrough, you have to experiment. If you want to see your name in bright lights, you might flop at a few open mic nights. And if you want to travel the world, you’ll no doubt run into some long layovers. Because the only way to grow and become the person you are destined to be is to try new things that push you outside of your comfort zone.
So go on that term abroad, apply for that coveted internship, build a cutting-edge prototype in our Maker Lab, or take a workshop with a visiting artist. It’s in these experiences— and the ups and downs that come with them—that you’ll see your future take form.
60% of Union students study abroad.
80% of students engage in faculty-mentored research.
85% of students complete at least one internship.
A UNION OF WHO YOU ARE NOW AND WHO YOU WILL BECOME
Trust us, your four years at Union will fly by, and soon the day will come when you find yourself stepping into life after college. And when it does, you’ll be glad to have a Union education to back you up.
“The way Union structures its liberal arts and engineering programs, with a focus on developing interpersonal skills, helps immensely in the real world. I like the technical side, but I also like working with people and doing project management.”
Jordan Kuhr ‘21 , account manager in the engineering development group at MathWorks
“Union had a profound effect on my path after college. Serving in student government gave me an understanding of how to run effective public meetings, and Union alumni helped connect me with internships with the Schenectady district attorney and at a startup firm. These experiences set the foundation for my career.”
Anthony Perez ‘11 , Bronx Borough Commissioner at the NYC Department of Transportation
97% of alumni are employed full-time, in graduate or professional school, or pursuing a fellowship or public service opportunity within 6 months of graduating.
Union alumni boast an 85% career satisfaction rate, higher than other institutions.
Our graduates’ top career fields are business, education, engineering, healthcare, law and technology.
In the past five years, Union students have received 14 Fulbright teaching and research awards, 9 Watson Fellowships, 3 Goldwater Scholarships, 2 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and 1 Rhodes Scholarship.
For more information on where a Union education will take you, go to union.edu/careerdashboard.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
APPLYING TO UNION
• Union accepts the Coalition Application and the Common Application.
• Union is test optional. Half of our enrolled students submitted test scores.
• Admitted students’ average GPA is A-/B+
• Personal interviews are recommended.
• Go to union.edu/apply for application deadlines.
PAYING FOR UNION
• Union meets the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students.
• More than 60% of students receive need-based financial aid; over 30% receive merit scholarships that range from $18,000 to $30,000 annually.
• The CSS PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are required for need-based aid consideration.
• The Making U Possible program offers grants that range from $23,000 to $35,000 to many families who apply for need-based aid but otherwise would not qualify.
• Use the MyinTuition Quick Cost Estimator or the Net Price Calculator to obtain a need-based and merit aid estimate: union.edu/netprice.
VISITING UNION
• We welcome visitors year-round for weekday information sessions and campus tours.
• At certain times of the year, we also host open houses and Saturday visits.
• Virtual options — including a self-guided tour and online events — provide an opportunity to learn more about Union without traveling to campus.