On December 19, Union College admitted 1,715 early action (EA) applicants from a pool of 3,173 applications. This figure represents a 6% decrease from the previous EA application season, where 3,371 students applied and 1,995 were admitted. The class of 2028 saw a 54% acceptance rate for Early Action applications, and acceptance packages were sent to students in the mail.
On the contrary, there was an increase in Early Decision 1 (ED1) applications: 216 students applied this year and 120 were admitted, whereas 183 students applied last year and 117 were admitted. 52.5% of the admitted ED1 applicants identified as female, an increase from 43.6% of admits in the year before. Early Decision 2 applications are ahead of last year’s numbers as well, according to Matt Malatesta ‘91, the Vice President of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment.
Due to the US Supreme Court’s decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, racial demographic data is not available for the admitted students or applicants. However, Union and many other colleges and universities have added optional supplemental essay questions. Applicants have a choice from two essay prompts and can write 100-250 words for either essay. The essay prompts ask: “What does belonging mean to you, and how will you contribute to building community as a Union student?” and “Describe an experience that pushed you out of your comfort zone. What did that experience teach you about yourself or others, and how will it influence your time at Union?” Previously, the college did not have or require any additional essays aside from the common application essay.
Malatesta believes these supplemental essays may explain the decrease in applicants. “Despite this being an optional question, such supplements tend to suppress application submission. Our Early Action applications were down 6% despite the number of students who had started a Union application in the Common Application system being up over 15%.”
Prospective students have until January 15, 2024 to apply Regular Decision (RD) or Early Decision 2 (ED2). Decision letters will be sent in February for ED2 applicants and March 16 for RD applicants.
