Despite an increased class size and a flat year “industry
wide,” academic quality indicators have increased for the Class of
2006, according to Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions
and financial aid.
Class averages are at or near record highs: 68 percent are in
the top 10 percent of their graduating class (compared to 55 percent
last year, and 33 percent in 1991). Meanwhile, the average SAT
has risen to 1250 (compared to 1230 last year, and 1150 in 1991).
The College is holding deposits from 562 students
for the Class of 2006. The College admitted 1,682 of 3,824
applicants, a 44 percent rate. With an expected yield of just over
33 percent, admissions expects no fewer than 550 first-year
students, Lundquist said.
“For the first time ever, over a fifth (23 percent) of
our students are Union Scholar quality – with GPAs of 95,
ranked in the top 5 percent of their high school class, and average SATs
of 1340,” Lundquist said. Sixty-six students have enrolled in
the Scholars Program, another 20 in the Leadership in
Medicine program, he added.
“These groups together comprise the
ever-growing academic top-end of the class. Last year, for example, we had
81 9s and 8s; this year there are 132, a 63 percent increase. We
believe this will significantly positively influence campus culture at
this critical period of change in Union's history.
“I'm proud that these kids chose Union College over
many great alternatives,” Lundquist said. “Change comes
glacially slowly but … we are really beginning to see the kind
of changes that we have talked about for years.”