UK - August Updates

 

Hello counselors and greetings from the University of Kentucky!  We hope you had a fantastic summer and are ready for an exciting new academic year! August is here, and we’re thrilled to welcome all our Kentucky Wildcats back to campus, especially those who are joining us for the first time. As we launch the application process for the Fall 2025 semester, we have plenty of updates and news to share with you.  UK Application Updates ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Our application for Fall 2025 is live, as of August 1, 2024! Here are the requirements:   Application form (UK Application or Common Application)  Official high school transcript   $50 application fee or qualifying fee waiver   ACT/SAT scores (optional)   UK’s test-optional pilot program has been extended through the 2028-29 academic year, allowing most first-time freshmen to apply without submitting ACT or SAT scores. For those who choose to submit test scores, these can be sent directly from the testing centers or included on the student's official high school transcript. If test scores are part of the transcript, we will automatically pull and review them as part of the application process. This streamlined approach is designed to benefit students who want their scores to be considered without the need for additional time or expense in requesting official reports. Test scores will only be used to support a student’s application, scholarship opportunities, or class placement, and will not be a disadvantage in the admissions process. Students who opt for a test-optional application can feel confident that their scores, if included on their transcript, will only be used to their advantage.  COMBINED APPLICATION UK offers a combined application, meaning that students can apply for admission, the Lewis Honors College, competitive scholarships, and/or the William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship within one application.   APPLICATION DEADLINES December 1, 2024 Early Action (non-binding) admission Lewis Honors College   Academic scholarships   Competitive scholarships   Priority deadline for William C. Parker Belonging scholarships   February 15, 2025   Regular decision admission   Deadline for William C. Parker Belonging scholarships   ESSAYS Admission Essay  Students may address any of the Common Application essay prompts for their admission essay requirement, regardless of whether they apply through Common Application or the UK Application.   William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Essay The University of Kentucky is committed to bringing together many people with a broad range of lived experiences and backgrounds as one community. Please share a perspective or an experience you’ve had and how you believe it will enable you to contribute meaningfully to our campus community.  Lewis Honors College and/or Competitive Scholarship Essay  Kentucky is one of four states that is a Commonwealth. The term means the state is for the common good.  What do you consider to be for “the common good” and how do you hope to use your life experiences, challenges, uniqueness, and intellect to contribute to the common good in your community, as you define it?  Scholarship Updates Fall 2025 Freshmen scholarship opportunities are posted with full details on our website. UK is continuing our commitment to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for academic scholarships. Academic scholarship awards are limited and will be offered pending early application and availability of funds.   For both academic and competitive scholarships, the completed admission application and all supporting documents, including high school transcript, must be received as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2024, for scholarship consideration.   Applicant Timeline Admission   Students who meet certain criteria could expect an admissions decision notification in as little as two weeks after their application file is complete. We admit on a rolling basis throughout the year.   Scholarships   Awarding for academic scholarships is expected to start by late fall. Offers will be sent out on a rolling basis, based on a student’s admission date. Competitive scholarship offers are expected to be made by March 1, 2025.   Housing   Admitted students will be able to access our housing application beginning September 9, 2024. The early action housing deadline is February 15, 2025, and the regular decision deadline is June 1, 2025. Early applications are strongly encouraged.   Orientation   Students confirm their choice of UK through registration for a Big Blue Nation Orientation (BBNO). As soon as they are admitted to UK, students will be able to select an orientation date and pay their enrollment fees. The deadline to confirm attendance by registering for BBNO is May 1, 2025.  Events Our UK Visitor Center continues to host campus visit experiences for prospective students. In addition to our admissions information sessions and campus tours, we offer customized visits including academic college visits, self-guided tours and first-generation student visits. Students can build a personalized on-campus visit to UK here. Throughout the fall semester, UK will host Big Blue Open House experiences. The BBOH events give students an opportunity to explore campus, academic programs, and departments all in one day. Registration is live at this link or the following dates:   Saturday, September 14  Friday, September 20  Friday, October 4  Monday, October 14  Friday, October 25  Monday, November 11  Friday, November 15  Please be in touch if there is anything we can do to support you and your students! You can find contact information for your area’s admissions counselor here. Cara Franke Executive Director of Strategic Recruitment cara.franke@uky.edu | call: 859-257-8126  Meet with Me Virtually University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Admission 100 Funkhouser Bldg. | Lexington, KY 40506-0054 admission@uky.edu | 859-257-2000 Virtual Campus Tour | Find Your Recruiter #BBNBound | #UK2029 | @UKYAdmissions An Equal Opportunity University