Schenectady, N.Y. – Union College has experienced a 7 percent increase in the number of applications for the Class of 2004, including a rise of 28 percent in Early Decision admission, comparing 1998 and 1999 figures.
“The numbers are really gratifying,” said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions and financial aid at Union. “Passing the symbolic 4000 application mark is an affirmation that Union is 'on the lists' of top students nationally. I attribute the increase, for the most part, to the College's enhanced efforts in external relations and recruitment; we do not actively encourage, through any campaign of marketing materials, students to apply early.
“Obviously, communications and marketing are only part of the story-the real reason students apply to colleges is because of their appreciation of the quality of the total experience. Union is a great college that deserves to do well,” according to Lundquist.
The increase in applications follows a record-setting year in 1998 that saw Union top 3,800 applications for a class size of about 520. Last year, Union accepted 46 percent of those who applied. This year 4009 students applied for those same 520 spots in the class. Of those, 211 applied Early Decision, up from 165 last year.
“We have seen a continuous increase in the quality and quantity of applications over the last decade,” Lundquist added. “The rise in Early Decision applications indicates clearly that Union is a first-choice institution for a growing number of students.” That's very validating for everyone who works in the admissions department, where applications have risen by almost 40 percent in the past nine years.