You’re driving up Route 9 in Loudonville, New York, and if you aren't paying close attention, you might miss the turn for Siena College. It's tucked away. But for thousands of high school seniors every year, that right-hand turn leads straight to one specific building: the Bernon Hall Admission Center. It’s the gateway. Honestly, it’s basically the first "real" taste of college life for anyone considering becoming a Saint.
Walking through those doors is a weird mix of nerves and excitement. You've got parents hovering, trying to look cool, while students are doing that awkward "do I fit in here?" scan of the room. It isn’t just an office building with some desks and a stapler. It’s the nerve center.
Getting to Know the Bernon Hall Admission Center
Located right on the edge of the sprawling, green Loudonville campus, Bernon Hall serves a very specific purpose. It houses the folks who decide the future of the student body. The Office of Admissions lives here. So does the Financial Aid team. It’s efficient. It's also remarkably cozy for a place that handles thousands of applications.
When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the "Siena vibe." It’s Franciscan. That means something specific here. It’s not just a buzzword they throw on brochures; you actually feel a sort of intentional hospitality. The staff at the Bernon Hall Admission Center aren't there to gatekeep as much as they are there to guide. They want to see if you’re a "Siena person." Are you into service? Do you care about community? They’re looking for more than just a 3.8 GPA.
The building itself is named after the Bernon family, long-time supporters of the college. It’s a brick-and-mortar testament to the school's growth since its founding by seven Franciscan friars in 1937. Back then, they didn't have a dedicated admission center like this. They just had a dream and a few acres. Now, this hall is where the logistics of that dream happen every single day.
Why the Campus Visit Starts (and Ends) Here
If you book a tour, this is your home base. You’ll likely start in a presentation room where an admissions counselor gives you the "elevator pitch." They talk about the 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. They mention that nearly 100% of students are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation.
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Then come the Ambassadors.
These are current students. They’re the ones who actually know which dining hall has the best pizza and which professors actually respond to emails at 11:00 PM. They meet you at Bernon Hall Admission Center, grab the "Siena" sign, and lead you out onto the quad.
- You'll see the Sarazen Student Union.
- Check out the Standish Library (it’s actually a great place to nap, don't tell the librarians).
- Walk past the Grotto. It’s a replica of the one in Lourdes, France, and even if you aren't religious, it’s a pretty peaceful spot.
Most people think the tour is the most important part. They’re wrong. The most important part is the interview. If you’ve scheduled a one-on-one session, you’re heading back to a small office in Bernon Hall. This is where you get to be a human being instead of a set of test scores. Use it.
The Logistics You Can't Ignore
Parking can be a pain if you don't know where to go. Luckily, there’s a dedicated lot right behind the building for visitors. Don't park in a faculty spot. You'll get a ticket, and that’s a terrible way to start your college relationship.
The Bernon Hall Admission Center is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. During the peak "search" seasons—like October or March—they sometimes open up on Saturdays. Check the website before you drive three hours from Long Island or Boston. Seriously.
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- Address: 515 Loudonville Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211.
- Phone: (518) 783-2423.
- Email: admissions@siena.edu.
Financial aid is also housed here. This is huge. Most students don't realize that you can actually walk into Bernon Hall and ask to speak with a financial aid officer. You don't always need a formal appointment if you just have a quick question about your FAFSA or a specific Siena scholarship. It’s way better than sitting on a "hold" music loop for forty minutes.
Dealing With the "Selective" Reality
Siena is selective, but they aren't impossible. They look at the whole person. When the admissions committee meets inside the Bernon Hall Admission Center to review files, they’re looking for a fit.
If you’re worried about your SATs, know that Siena has been test-optional for a while now. They care more about your high school transcript. Did you take hard classes? Did you challenge yourself? They’d rather see a "B" in AP Bio than an "A" in "Introduction to Napping."
They also love "The Siena Saint." This is someone who shows up. If you’ve visited Bernon Hall, attended a webinar, or met a rep at a college fair, they track that. It's called "demonstrated interest." It matters more than people think. It shows you aren't just clicking "apply" on a hundred different schools.
Misconceptions About Bernon Hall
A lot of people think the admission center is just for high schoolers. It’s not.
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Transfer students spend a lot of time here too. If you’re coming from Hudson Valley Community College or another four-year school, you’ll be working with specific transfer counselors in Bernon. They help with the credit evaluation—basically the "will my psych class count?" headache.
Another myth? That you only go to the Bernon Hall Admission Center once.
Many students come back multiple times. They come for an open house. They come back for an "Accepted Students Day." They come back to hand-deliver a final transcript because they happen to be in the neighborhood. The building becomes a familiar landmark. It’s the place where your journey started.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just show up and wander around. To get the most out of the Bernon Hall Admission Center, you need a plan.
- Register in advance. Don't be the person who crashes a tour. It’s awkward for everyone.
- Prepare three "real" questions. Don't ask about the meal plan; you can find that online. Ask what the biggest challenge for freshmen is, or how the career center helps with internships in Albany.
- Check the weather. Loudonville gets cold. Like, "wind-whipping-across-the-quad" cold. If your tour starts at Bernon Hall, bring a jacket even if it looks sunny.
- Take notes. After you leave the building, sit in your car for five minutes and write down your gut feeling. Do you like the people? Did they seem stressed? Did the students look happy?
- Follow up. If you met a counselor in Bernon Hall, send them a quick "thank you" email. It takes two minutes and makes you stand out in a pile of five thousand applications.
The Bernon Hall Admission Center is more than just an office. It’s the threshold. Whether you end up wearing the Green and Gold for four years or decide another path is better, the experience you have in that building will likely define your entire view of Siena College. Walk in with an open mind, ask the hard questions, and pay attention to the details. That’s how you find out if you’re supposed to be a Saint.