A large and academically strong freshman class at Union
College is due in large part to the
popularity of two enriched academic programs – Union Scholars and the
Leadership in Medicine — and an expansion of merit aid offerings, according to
Union College
officials.
Union College
this week welcomes 577 students to the Class of 2006, a 10 percent increase
over last year's class of 522. On academic quality indicators, 58 percent of
the students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, compared
with 55 percent last year. The average SAT for this year's class is 1240, up 10
points from last year.
For the first time ever, nearly a quarter of the students
are Union Scholar quality, with GPA's of 95, class ranking in the top 5 percent
and SATs over 1340, said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions and
financial aid. “As impressive as those numbers are, I've been pleased to
hear the many outstanding comments from faculty who have had contact with the
new students.”
Union Scholars carry an extra course in at least two of
their four years at no extra cost. They also enroll in a special two-term
seminar in their freshman year, and do a two-term independent study with a
professor in their sophomore year.
Students in the Leadership in Medicine program earn a
bachelor's degree in three years, a master's in health systems administration
in four, and a medical degree (through Albany Medical College) in eight.
The College admitted 64 freshmen in the Scholars program and
17 in the eight-year leadership in Medicine program. Though enrollment numbers
are essentially the same as last year, those programs attracted more qualified
applicants than ever, Lundquist said.
“Even though a number of high-performing students are
initially attracted to the Scholars program, we have to cap enrollment and many
Scholar Nominees matriculate anyway,” said Lundquist. “Some of those students may
later opt to become Seward Fellows (an honors program that begins in the
sophomore year).”
On merit scholarships, the College modified and expanded its
program, dropping the average award size from $20,000 to $13,500 and expanding
the target group to a larger number of top candidates, Lundquist said.
“No amount of sheer boosterism will get these kids to come
to Union over their other alternatives,” said Lundquist.
“These students come to Union because it's a great
college that, ultimately, 'sells' itself.”
Because of the large class size, a total of 33 students are
living in triple rooms. Students in the triple rooms, which are larger than
most, receive a discount in their room fee.
