"So, why Union?"

Good afternoon! It's a little bit of a dreary day up here in Schenectady, but not too bad. I'm currently looking out of my dorm room window and watching the clouds come over the mountains in the distance. It's very pretty, actually.

I was sitting in on a luncheon the other day, meeting one of the candidates for a open faculty position, and he asked us group of students: "So, why Union?"

The common answer was: Union has a great financial aid program and they helped me get here. I completely agree. I, myself, would not be here if it wasn't for this generosity. But aside from money, there is something more that brought me to Union.

Some students don't know what it is and why they really ended up at the college they did. Some just picked a name out of a hat, some spent months deliberating, and others knew for years where they wanted to go. I guess I'd say I fall in another category.

My junior year in high school, I did not visit one college. I was busy with classes and sports, and I just didn't have the time. So, then it was the summer before senior year. The time where most people were narrowing down their choices, starting to fill out applications, all that good stuff. So, I thought it was finally time for me to get down to business and figure life out a bit.

I ended up doing the intense college road trip visits: 13 schools in 6 days across 7 states, or something like that. And I can honestly say that I never want to sit in on another info session again in my life! Just kidding, they are all very informative. But they do tend to get a little repetitive after a while.

Anyway, it was getting to the end of the college visit week and I still hadn't found the right school for me. I had complied the list after reading reviews on CollegeBoard, consulting some Princeton Review books, and just talking with teachers and family members. But after a few days of visits, I hadn't seem to have gotten any closer with my college decisions with what we had already seen.

So, it was finally time for the last couple days of the trip. And we were visiting this place called "Union College," in Schenectady, NY. Wasn't quite sure how to pronounce the city, but thought it sounded like a pretty cool place.

I hadn't heard much about Union. Actually, nothing at all. But I wasn't really tuned into the world of academia at the time. Even though my hometown in Middletown, CT, home of Wesleyan University, I didn't know much about colleges outside of those within general proximity. So, when Union came up in one of the liberal arts college guides I had been studiously reading, I was intrigued by this hidden gem I had never heard of before.

Everyone told me that there was going to be that one place that I'd visit that I would know right when I stepped foot on campus that I wanted to go there. But I didn't quite believe them. I mean, I hadn't experienced that feeling thus far, so I didn't quite think it would happen.

But then it did. The second we made it through those front gates and saw the Nott Memorial (featured above) looming in the distance, drove past the impressive Admissions building, and parked next to some beautiful trees full in summer bloom, I knew where I was going to college. I was finally home.

Speechless, I exited the car and gaped at the beauty of the campus. Then, I had my interview and a meeting-tour with the swim coach. Every bit of the day was perfect. I knew Union was where I wanted to spend the next four years.

Since that fateful day in August, coming on four years ago, I have completely supported every bit of my decision to come to Union. I was told when I was writing my blog to be honest, to not sugarcoat my experiences here. Trust me, I know how to spin something and vocalize even an ounce of good in a situation. I know how to be positive even despite hardship. But that is not something I have to do when writing about Union College.

Sure, there are little things that I can see being improved here: like the registration process (looks like they really are working on that one), the dining hall hours, and some aspects of the housing system. But overall, I have very little to complain about. The winters may be long and a bit on the cold side, but when you're with a group of friends, enjoying the time spent at one of your favorite places in the world, all of the small things that could improve with time pale in comparison to all of the good.

And that's what makes Union so great. The school just seems to attract a group of people who are balanced between the seriousness of the academic setting and the importance of social interaction with the faculty and student body alike. This college has made an effort to appeal to a more diverse group of people and created various outlets for the widened interests of these individuals.

Plain and simple: I love college. And I love Union. If they were hoping for someone who could speak honestly and proudly about all that Union has to offer, they happened upon the right student. So, to all those who make this place so wonderful: Thank you! I think I had to experience the visits to all of those other schools that just weren't for me to truly appreciate finding somewhere that was just what I needed.

Anyone else want to share their experiences here at Union?