Union College Reviews

Winston

from Westminster, CA

Current student

In which ways do you feel you are learning and growing?

LABS. Partly due to the COVID-19 Pandemic affecting laboratory experience in high school, I am learning and growing the most during labs. As an informal Biochemistry major (I'm still undeclared), students learn a lot about laboratory techniques, etiquette, applications/software, and research methods from labs.

What qualities do you have that have best prepared you for success at this institution?

Organization and commitment. People often say that you have to "lock in" to complete assignments and succeed in college. As someone with a 4.0 GPA, I am "locked in" nearly 24/7/365. Of course, I take regular breaks for my mental health, but for most of the time, I am diligently working and studying because at the end of the day, this is my career we're talking about.

How would you describe the dorm life at this school?

First-year (aka freshmen) have the option of living in 3 residence halls: Fox, West, and Richmond. I live in Fox which provides suites, doubles, and singles. Doubles and singles are self-explanatory bedrooms. Suites have 2 bedrooms and a common room shared amongst 4 people (2 per bedroom).

West and Richmond provide doubles and singles style living only.

Victoria from Athens, NY

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	Overall students generally feel like they're learning quite a bit. The professors are great and help you to really understand things. Still, sometimes things are being taught that you MAY have already learned in high school (especially if you took Advanced Placement courses but didn't receive credit), so SOMETIMES classes can feel like review.
Am enjoying being here	Definitely! Union has a lot to offer. There are always different events going on. Each month a large calendar with the events is hung in the Campus Center and there are emails sent out to all students because there are so many events taking place that it's impossible to remember every one!! All of the events offer a great variety, too. It's not all about parties here; there are different events like comedy shows, guest speakers, dinner discussions, musical performances, etc. Each day holds something new. Inside the classroom can be a lot of fun, too. Some teachers tell a lot of jokes and are a lot more laid back than most high school teachers I ever had. That isn't to say they aren't adamant about their policies, they just know how to teach AND have fun.
Bang for the buck	Most of all Union students receive some type of financial aid, so that 50+k a year really drops. Campus jobs help, too, even if you aren't awarded work study. Overall, you're really getting a lot. Getting an education + having fun while doing so - outrageous bills = Perks of Union College.
Tips for prospective students	Get familiar with the campus and its lifestyles early on. Learn different policies--it will sure come in hand later. Become familiar with residence policies if you plan to live on campus, and especially knowledgeable with academic policies. (For example, Union does not accept ALL Advanced Placement courses/exams for credit; familiarize yourself with which they do and do not to make it easier for you to transfer credits.) Make sure the school is really what's right for you, and be sure that you know it's a place you can really benefit from. Don't forget: full-time Union students only take 3 classes per term, but each class does the same amount of work in 10 weeks (one trimester/term) as other schools do in one 15-week semester.
Great for these types of students	Union is a great school for people who want to go somewhere that is fun but still worthwhile academically. It's great for those who don't want to go to community college, but don't want to go to a huge university either. And its location is definitely a plus. Around Union there are plenty of places to eat and hang out, as well as various shopping centers within 1/2 hour, and there's even a bus that will bring you to some of those places! Union is the perfect place for students looking for academics, sports, and fun all combined into one small area within a city.

Jordan from Ballston Spa, NY

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Union is the perfect blend of academic and social life. Each day you are challenged intellectually in class, and are able to express yourself through many clubs and activities throughout the day and night. The connection among students is powerful and the atmosphere on campus can't be beat.
Tips for prospective students	Take advantage of the overnight program, where you can come stay with a Union student for a night. While you can learn a lot about the academic side at Union through tours and information sessions, spending a day and night with a current student will show you what it's like to actually be a student at Union on a day to day basis - in and out of class.
Academic Rigor	While the classes are a little more fast-paced than a semester school since we're fitting 15 weeks of material into a 10 week term, we only take three classes per term so it's a little easier to budget your time. The classes are challenging but the professors really get to know their students on a personal level so it's extremely easy to get in touch with a professor for extra help in a class!
Dorm Life	Residence halls are pretty standard at every school, and Union is no exception. The dorms are well equipped, bathrooms on each floor, laundry facilities, common space to hang out, etc. The RA's on each floor do a lot of activities to get the floor to know each other and plan tons of stuff to do throughout the year! Most students become good friends with other students on their floor and it's a great atmosphere.
Food and Dining	Of course the food in the dining halls can get a little repetitive, but there are many dining options at Union that make finding something you like really simple. Whether you get creative in the dining halls or use your declining balance (a part of the meal plan that functions almost like cash) at another vendor on campus, there's always something that will fit your interests and if you really can't find anything the Dining Services team will do what they can to accommodate your needs!
What to do for fun	There's never a dull moment at Union. Each day there are multiple events taking place, including Minerva events, events organized by student activities, as well as activities organized by various clubs that are open to the entire campus. These events are well advertised through the campus email as well as posters around campus, so it's difficult to miss something fun!
Bang for the buck	The experiences I've had at Union so far have already made it worth every penny. In terms of finding a good job after graduation, the Becker Career Center on campus has some awesome resources to help graduating seniors and other students find internships and jobs for during the year, during the breaks, and especially after graduation.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	One of my favorite Union traditions is painting the Idol. The Idol is an old statue located outside of the hockey rink that is covered with layers and layers of paint. So many students have painted it that you can't event tell what it is anymore! Almost every time I pass the Idol it is covered in a different color paint. Painting the Idol with a group of friends is a ton of fun and one of the 7 Union traditions that Union students challenge themselves with!
Great for these types of students	Any type of student can find their niche at Union considering there are so many options. For academics we have very strong programs in both liberal arts as well as the sciences, and socially we have everything greek life and intramural sports to acapella groups a humans vs. zombies competition.
Clubs and Activities	There are already so many existing clubs and activities here at Union (environmental clubs, club sports, school newspaper, student forumâ?¦etc.) that there is something for everyone. Even if there isn't an existing club that you're interested in, any student can start up a club if they have enough interest.
Greek Life	The first fraternities in the country were founded on Union's campus, so Greek life is prevalent here at Union, but doesn't overpower the campus. Students cannot pledge a Greek house until their sophomore year so they can take their first year to get involved in other things and see what their interests are. The Greek houses also make an effort to work in collaboration with the college, other clubs and groups, and the independent student community, so there's a good mix between the Greek and non-Greek students on campus.
Campus Safety	Campus safety is always around campus, whether in a car or golf cart, on foot, on a bike, or even a Segway. They also do nightly rounds in the residence halls to make sure everything is how it should be. Their number is printed on the back of our ID cards, and they are easily accessible by phone or by pushing one of the many Blue Light System stations scattered around campus. They also provide walking escorts for students if you don't feel comfortable walking back to your room in the middle of the night!

Scott from Wells, ME

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Union College has the most beautiful campus in the country. The size is perfect, the students are friendly, and the professors are approachable. It brings together students of all academic interests, including engineering, and forms an incredible community that I will be proud to say I was a part of for the rest of my life.
Tips for prospective students	Get used to working hard, especially if you want to be an engineer here. College is harder than high school, period. The courses here are fast paced due to the trimester system and while that keeps things interesting it also means that falling behind can happen just by missing one class. Use your office hours. The professors that teach here came here because they love teaching; they love to have students come in and ask them questions, they donâ??t even have to be about the course.
Academic Rigor	It is a challenging school. 10 weeks for a full credit is very quick. The professorâ??s enjoy challenging their students. That said the courses are manageable and even as an engineer having to take one more course than the rest of the student body I can still keep my GPA competitive.
Dorm Life	The dorm life at Union is awesome. During the week everything is quiet for the most part as students are serious about their studies, but when the weekend rolls around people have fun in their dorm common areas, whether that be playing pool, xbox, or ping-pong. The rooms are larger than most schools freshman dorms and the bathrooms are always clean. The living options for upperclassmen are very nice between minervas, theme houses, greek life, dorm style, and College Park Hall, which is a converted Ramada Inn.
Food and Dining	I love the food. The standard dining hall fare is better and has more variety when compared to other schools, but the specialty options are what set Union apart. The UShi bar is a sushi bar located in Reamer campus center and they make sushi fresh every weekday. The Rathskellar is a little underground grill the serves the best milkshakes in the world. 03 is my personal favorite and they only use local organic food in all of their dishes. I couldnâ??t be happier with Unionâ??s food situation.
What to do for fun	Union has on-campus events all the time. It seems like a Minerva hosts an event every night of the week and uProgram puts on a lot of late night events like comedians and hypnotists. There are also a ton of clubs for everyoneâ??s interests. They range from horseback riding club to SAE sanctioned Aero Club, who build a plane from scratch.

Britt from Albany, NY

accepted here and planning to attend soon

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	All in all, I fell in love with Union College as soon as I stepped foot on campus. It is absolutely beautiful and the people there are just the same - everyone is so friendly and easy to talk to! Also, the financial aid package I received from them was awesome!
Tips for prospective students	Don't go in closed-minded. Always give every college you visit a chance. That's what I did and it turns out that I loved the school way more than I thought I actually would.
Academic Rigor	From what I've seen, Union takes great pride in their academics. Even though it is a liberal arts college, their science programs seem incredibly rigorous and accredited.
Dorm Life	It's a typical dorm room - nothing too different from other colleges.
Food and Dining	When I visited, I ate in the upperclassmen dining hall. The food was SO delicious and much better than some of the other food I've eaten at other colleges. I'm not sure about the freshmen dining hall but if it was anything like the upperclassmen, it's amazing.
What to do for fun	I've lived in the approximate area (about 15 minutes away) of Union College for all of my life. There's a lot to do, whether it be going to hockey games, shopping, walking through the city (never alone or at night, though). There's also a lot of great little cafes and restaurants in the nearby area.
Bang for the buck	The academics are highly respectable and it's not likely that you'll leave having no career options. Make sure you participate in extracurricular activities, though!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	Not that I know of but, I'm sure there are many that I'll soon find out about!
Great for these types of students	People who want a great education that's affordable! Also, make sure you love hockey (and you hate RPI ;) )!
Clubs and Activities	There are so many awesome opportunities to participate in clubs, intramural sports,and other activities.
Greek Life	I don't know much about Greek life but I'd be willing to check it out. It seems like a fun and interesting opportunity to get to know people and make friends outside of my respective major.
Campus Safety	Security is top notch. Going off campus at night is not a threat unless you go out alone, which is a REALLY bad idea.

William from Winter Park, FL

accepted here and planning to attend soon

Categories	Comments
Will learn a lot	When I sat in on a class I felt like the amount they throw at you is a lot. It will be challenging going to Union but in return you get an education like no other.
Will enjoy being here	Upon my visit everyone was very warm and welcoming. I had the chance to sit down with a two professors and just talk casually about the classes and Union itself. Additionally all the students I walked up to for help were more than happy to offer a hand.
Bang for the buck	Union college ranks among the top colleges in return for you diploma.
Tips for prospective students	Make sure you study frequently, in the trimester system everything moves much faster than normal and you always need to be on task.
Great for these types of students	All types of people attend Union it seems to be just like America is: a mix of all culture. They have an awesome liberal arts program and a fantastic engineering department as well. That is one of the many unique qualities about Union.

Lily from New York, NY

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Work-hard, play-hard is the motto at Union. A diverse, tight-knit liberal arts community that encourages creativity and diversity in all areas. Good luck with tuition!
Tips for prospective students	Look in to scholarships as early as possible! Also schedule an interview if you can make it to campus!
Academic Rigor	It is what you make it. Generally, your grades will directly represent the amount of effort you put in. Professors are always available to email/meet.
Dorm Life	Once again, it is what you make it. There are a variety of housing options, and the school is generally good about changing accommodations if you have an issue.
Food and Dining	Food always seems fresh! There's a lot of gluten-free and vegan options if you need it!
What to do for fun	There is definitely something for everyone. The fraternities are alive and well if that's your scene, but the Minerva system offers a more sober environment to meet and hangout with people. The local food is amazing and really diverse. There's also an insane amount of clubs and sports-related activities to join, and you can always start your own club if they don't have what you're looking for!
Bang for the buck	If you have the money to go here, fantastic. If you don't, make sure you're an attractive candidate for scholarships.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	Jackson's Gardens! Beautiful outdoor gardens. Great place to do homework or hangout with friends!
Great for these types of students	Hard-working, diverse, involved
Clubs and Activities	Definitely something for everyone
Greek Life	It's easy to avoid if it's not your thing, but it's there if it is!
Campus Safety	Campus Safety is patrolling and available pretty much 24/7.

lily from pittburgh, pa

researching this school

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	i wasn't originally planning on looking at this school, but i visited on my way back from another school (rpi) and fell in love. the campus was breathtaking, even though the weather was miserable. our tour guide was funny, smart, and it was really obvious she wanted us to love the school as much as she did.
Tips for prospective students	visit!!
Academic Rigor	from what i can tell, it is not an easy academic school, but, like most colleges, it is what you make it.
Dorm Life	the minerva house system is pretty unique and seems to be geared towards including everyone.
Food and Dining	i didn't get a chance to eat on campus, but the off campus dining options were pretty good.

zoli

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Union is a fabulous place to get an education. The courses are rigorous. the professors are excellent.
Tips for prospective students	If you are looking for a place where your professors know your name and they really care that you learn, Union is the place for you.
Academic Rigor	very rigorous
Dorm Life	Some of the dorms could use some updating but there are many housing options. Rooms in the minerva houses are really nice.
Food and Dining	The people who work in the food service try really hard to make food that you need, especially if you have specific diet needs.
What to do for fun	Hockey games are a blast.
Bang for the buck	Excellent place for an education. You get what you pay for.
Great for these types of students	Students who really want to learn
Clubs and Activities	lots of options
Greek Life	small greek system
Campus Safety	Campus is very safe. Outside campus some dangers exist

Matthew from Brooklyn, NY

researching this school

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	When I visited the campus, it had an extremely upbeat social atmosphere. I felt really comfortable there during the campus tour and I would suggest researching more about this college for anyone who has fears about leaving their home, because it seemed to have a very strong support system for their students.
Academic Rigor	They are very flexible and offer a wide variety of courses, but Union does have an unusually strong focus on the math and scientific subjects for a liberal college.
Dorm Life	The Minerva program looks like a great way to connect students with other roommates who may share similar interests.
Food and Dining	The food was delicious when I was there.
Clubs and Activities	I was told during the college tour that there was once a student who made a bet to not eat any food except for the foods served for Union's clubs for a month straight. She won the bet easily and it tells you a lot about the number and variety of their clubs.

Emily from Ballston Spa, NY

researching this school

Categories	Comments
Will learn a lot	The classes are small and discussion-oriented, and the professors seem passionate about their work.
Will enjoy being here	The campus is gorgeous and the students seem friendly and intelligent
Bang for the buck	Students from Union College seem to have a lot of opportunities after graduation, and the education they receive is a major help in the real world
Great for these types of students	Students looking for a small, liberal arts college with a lot to offer