Union College Transfer Acceptance Rate
The Union College transfer acceptance rate was 31.6% for Fall 2025 — 61 admits from 193 applicants, per Union’s Common Data Set 2025-26. This page covers Union College in Schenectady, New York — not Union County College (NJ) or Pacific Union College.
Union College transfer acceptance rate, at a glance
Union transfer figures
Union reports transfer admissions in Section D of its Common Data Set. The 2025-26 CDS shows 193 transfer applicants for Fall 2025, 61 admitted (31.6%) and 19 enrolled — a Union College transfer acceptance rate below its 43.4% first-year rate.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 193 | 61 | 31.6% | Union CDS |
What GPA do you need for Union?
Union says successful transfer applicants “present a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one semester of full-time academic work.” Consideration is also given to recommendations and personal qualities, and interviews are optional.
Credit transfers for courses graded C or better, up to two years’ worth (about 60 semester credits, or 18 Union courses), and transfers complete at least six terms at Union. Students with more than four full years of college work are no longer eligible to transfer.
What a competitive Union transfer applicant looks like
Competitive Union transfer admits share a tight profile. Missing any one of these is where most rejections cluster.
Union College transfer requirements
Application Essays
Apply through the Common App or Coalition Application — Union charges no application fee. Interviews are optional, in person or online.
Letters of Recommendation
Recommendations are considered alongside a College Report and a Mid-Term Report.
Credits
Union accepts up to two years of credit (about 60 semester credits or 18 Union courses) for C-or-better work, and you complete at least six terms at Union.
Test Scores
Union’s transfer requirements do not list SAT or ACT scores. English proficiency tests apply if English is not your first language.
Interested in transferring to Union?
Book a 1-hour Zoom consultation with “The Goat” — a Stanford transfer student turned advisor, who’s spent the last decade helping applicants transfer into elite schools.
Why most Union transfer applications get rejected
Most rejections trace back to one of five patterns. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them before you apply.
- Not having strong extracurriculars.A strong GPA isn’t enough — admissions officers want to see sustained commitment and leadership outside the classroom.
- Not having a competitive GPA.AOs need to know you can handle the coursework.
- Not telling a story that catches the AO’s attention.A list of accomplishments isn’t a narrative. The strongest essays connect who you are, why you’re transferring, and why Union specifically — in a way that’s memorable, not generic.
- Not having a compelling reason to transfer.“I want a bigger school” or “better opportunities” reads as vague. Admissions officers want a specific, personal reason tied to your goals and to Union.
- Not having strong personal recommendation letters.A rushed request to a professor who barely knows you shows. Build real relationships early so your recommenders can speak to specifics, not generalities.
Want us to spot these in your file before you submit? Book a 60-minute review ?
How Union compares to peers
If Union is your target, these New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania colleges make strong parallel applications. Trinity admitted transfers at a similar rate, while Lafayette and Hamilton are more selective.
Frequently asked questions
Does Union College accept transfer students?
Yes. Union admits transfers for fall, winter and spring terms through the Common App or Coalition Application, with no application fee. 19 new transfers enrolled for Fall 2025.
When do Union transfer decisions come out?
For fall, applications received by April 15 get earliest consideration, and Union then reviews fall transfers on a rolling basis through the summer.
How many transfer students does Union College accept?
For Fall 2025, Union admitted 61 of 193 transfer applicants and 19 enrolled, per its Common Data Set 2025-26.
What is the Union College transfer acceptance rate?
The Union College transfer acceptance rate was 31.6% for Fall 2025 (61 admits from 193 applicants), below Union’s 43.4% first-year rate.
When is the Union College transfer application due?
November 1 for winter term and February 1 for spring term; for fall, April 15 for earliest consideration. Union meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students and is need aware in admission.
Can I apply if I took a gap year or break?
Yes. A break isn’t listed as a disqualifier, but there is an upper limit: once you have completed more than four full years of college-level work, you are no longer eligible to transfer to Union.
What if I already have a degree?
Union’s transfer page doesn’t describe a second-degree path, and applicants with more than four full years of college work are not eligible. Confirm with admissions before applying if you already hold a degree.
Where this data comes from
- Union College — Institutional Research (Common Data Set 2025-26) — Section D transfer admit data (primary source)
- Union Admissions — Transfer Students — deadlines, requirements, credit, aid
- Union College — Common Data Set 2024-25 — 2025-26 tuition (Section G1)
Want a real shot at Union?
Union admitted 61 of 193 transfer applicants for Fall 2025 — a Union College transfer acceptance rate of 31.6%. Our consultants will look at your transcript, your reasons for transferring, and your fit with Union.