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#11 Best Private Colleges in New York

Union College Admission Requirements

Schenectady, New York

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Union College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

47%
Admission Difficulty for Union College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Union College is 47%.  Its admission rate is the 27th lowest in New York and the 193rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Union College and can you get accepted?

Union College is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,513 out of the 7,470 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 14 percent on standardized admission tests. Union College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Union College?

47% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Union College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1360 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Union College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.5

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Union College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Union College are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Union College will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Union College is 3.5 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #52 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Union College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Union College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 12.21% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.83% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 23.01% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.7% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.1% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.09% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.06% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Union College SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Union College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1270-1450

Applicants Submitting SAT 

37%
SAT Scores for Union College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 630
Math 25th Percentile 640
Composite 25th Percentile 1270
SAT Scores for Union College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 710
Math 75th Percentile 740
Composite 75th Percentile 1450
Average SAT Score 1360

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Union College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Union College is 1360 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1270-1450. Students who get into Union College score in the top 15 percent of all SAT test takers..  Union College ranks #17 in the state of New York and #105 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1360 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Union College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1270 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1270, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1180, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Union College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1360 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1360, you have around a 47% chance of being admitted. A 1450 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 63% chance of getting in.

Union College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1450 and Above Good >63%
1360 to 1450 Avg + 47%-63%
1270 to 1360 Avg - 32%-47%
1180 to 1270 Reach 20%-32%
Less than 1180 Low <20%
Calculate My Chances 

Union College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

16%
ACT Scores for Union College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 29
Math 25th Percentile 28
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Union College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Union College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Union College is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 32.  The school ranks #20 in New York and #118 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

16 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Union College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Union College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Union College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 47% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 63% with a 32 ACT score.

Union College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >63%
30 to 32 Avg + 47%-63%
28 to 30 Avg - 32%-47%
26 to 28 Reach 20%-32%
Less than 26 Low <20%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

57% of Union College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Union College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 57%
Top 25% of class 86%
Top 50% of class 97%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Union College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,552 3,918 7,470
Accepted 1,676 1,837 3,513
Acceptance Rate 47% 47% 47%
Enrolled 250 315 565
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

111

Applicants have 111 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Union College is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Union College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Union College Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Union College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Union College is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.5 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1360 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1450 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Union College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196866 IPEDS survey data for Union College.

FAQs

Does Union College prefer SAT or ACT?

37% of students submit their SAT scores to Union College. 16% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Union College?

47% of those who apply are granted admission to Union College. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Union College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1270 and 1450. The average SAT score is 1360. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Union College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 28 and 32. The average ACT score is 30. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.