What began as the largest applicant pool in Union history (4,230) is turning into one of the College's largest and most talented classes, and administrators are making adjustments.
With 600 students making deposits to join the Class of 2009 and more top students choosing Union, the College has become a popular choice for the best students, said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions.
“We see more and more of the best students choosing Union because they recognize the quality of the place,” Lundquist said.
Average SATs were 1,270 and more than two-thirds are from the top 10 percent of their high school class. “This represents an impressive jump, unprecedented at Union,” Lundquist said. Of those 600, Lundquist said 2 or 3 percent will withdraw in what is known as “summer melt.” Administrators in Residential Life and Academic Affairs are planning for a class of 585.
Kimmo Rosenthal, dean for undergraduate education, reports that a section of Freshman Preceptorial will be added to accommodate the larger class, and there may be a need for more sections in Modern Languages, Mathematics and science labs.
“It's definitely more of a challenge with this class, which is the largest I've seen,” Rosenthal said. “But I've had a good year in finding faculty members to teach Precepts.” He said class sizes in some introductory courses may increase by five students to about 40, while other first-year courses may see increases from 25 to 30.
Lundquist noted that Union is not alone in its number crunching this spring. “My counterparts at Colgate, Hamilton and Skidmore, to name a few, are seeing higher yields as well,” he said. “I can say, however, that along with the higher numbers, Union is seeing a signature jump in academic quality.”
Todd Clark, director of residential life, said he hopes to avoid rooming students in lounges at West College and Richmond, as has been done for previous large classes. “We will be seeking volunteers for triple rooms that normally are doubles,” he said. “And we plan to offer a financial break for those willing to live in those triples.”
Clark has also been busy finding rooms for about 15 rising sophomores with low lottery numbers who were left without assignments last week. “This year is certainly producing a housing challenge, but it's a good challenge since it shows that more upperclass students want to live on campus and that more accepted students want to come here,” he said.
Those 15 sophomores should receive assignments before leaving for the summer, Clark noted, adding that he usually hears from students in early June who have made other housing arrangements. All students will receive a letter by early July with final room assignments, he said.