UK February Update 2026

 

High School Seniors – Not Yet Applied  Regular Decision Deadline: February 15, 2026*  Students planning to apply for first-year admission must submit the following by this deadline:  Completed application  Official high school transcript  Application fee or approved fee waiver  *When a deadline at the University of Kentucky falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the following Monday.    Most students will receive an admission decision within a couple of weeks after their application file is complete. Please encourage your students to submit their application by the deadline. High School Seniors – Deferred Applicants  Some high school seniors who have already applied are currently in deferral status. Final admission decisions (admit or deny) for these students will be released by the end of March 2026.  To support their review, we strongly encourage deferred students to submit a seventh-semester transcript as soon as it becomes available.  As a reminder, counselors can view real-time updates on student applications. This includes missing materials and admission decisions by accessing their Slate counselor portal. A Slate profile can be set up here.  High School Seniors – Admitted Students  We’re excited to welcome admitted students to campus and in their communities through our spring yield events:  Admitted Student Celebration events take place in several Kentucky and out-of-state locations. They include an information session on the next steps for admitted students and the opportunity to connect with other local students interested in attending UK.   Admitted Student Day events take place on campus in Lexington as well. They include information on the next steps for admitted students; the opportunity to connect with their academic college and current students; and campus tours.    Key UK Admission and Financial Aid Timelines  The College of Design began releasing admission decisions for applicants to the Architecture, Interiors and Product Design majors in late January.    Our Human Health Sciences major released admission decisions on February 9.  Lewis Honors College Decisions will be released in mid-February.    Competitive Scholarship awards will be released by March 1.   We expect to start sending financial aid notifications for first-year students in early March. Our deadline for students to confirm attendance by registering for a Big Blue Nation Orientation is May 1, 2026.   Dual Credit Student Support  Our Visitor Center is open every weekday this spring and summer for campus tours. Underclassmen are encouraged to schedule a personal visit to experience life at UK firsthand. Help them plan their visit here.  Bonnie Schwab, UK Dual Credit Advisor and Transfer Equivalency Specialist, is happy to assist students who are enrolled in dual credit or considering dual credit enrollment and have questions about UK equivalencies and/or degree applicability. She welcomes questions from you and your students and families and can be reached at bonnie.schwab@uky.edu  or 859-218-1062. Major Spotlight: Economics     The Economics program in UK's Gatton College of Business and Economics combines rigorous academic study with real-world application, preparing students for a wide range of impactful careers.  With three research centers and nationally recognized faculty, students gain hands-on experience exploring how economic theory influences markets, policy and society. Graduates have gone on to careers with organizations such as the Federal Reserve, GM, FDIC, Merrill, MiddleGround Capital and more.  Students often explore informal tracks aligned with their interests: Academic Research - Students dive deep into advanced economic theory and its effects on consumers and markets. Through coursework and hands-on research at the Kentucky Research Data Center or the Center for Poverty Research, students contribute to the field's advancement. Many continue their studies at top graduate programs like Stanford and the University of Chicago. Law and Government Policy - This track focuses on the intersection of economics with law, public policy and global politics. Students are well-prepared for graduate programs in law, public policy and international affairs.   Industry/Consulting - With a focus on analytics and big data, students on this track learn to apply forecasting and econometrics to real-world business decisions. Many also pursue Gatton's Business Analytics minor to strengthen their data-driven decision-making skills. Students can also gain real-world experience and industry connections by participating in Gatton's Econ Games, education abroad programs and individual research opportunities. This program is ideal for those passionate about using Economics to shape the world around them. Learn more about our Economics program here!  Your Future in Motion Open House: Explore Majors in Sport, Health, Leadership and Community Services  Prospective students and guest(s) are invited to the University of Kentucky College of Education's Your Future in Motion Open House from 9 until 11:45 a.m., Monday, March 9, at the Gatton Student Center, Ballrooms BC.  Visit the beautiful University of Kentucky campus and discover exciting career pathways where you can make a difference and explore majors that help you turn your passion into a profession. Check out majors including kinesiology - exercise science, sport leadership, health promotion, leadership for community education and human learning and interdisciplinary disability studies.  This interactive event offers you a chance to picture yourself here and get an inside look at how each program prepares you to lead, serve and make a meaningful impact on your community and beyond. Meet faculty, connect with current students and start shaping a future that moves you forward.  Students can register to attend here. Attention school representatives - if you would like to bring a group of your interested students, please email jenna.demastes@uky.edu for more information.  Helpful Links   UK Viewbook UK Travel Piece UK Acceptance Booklet (next steps for admitted students only) Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything we can do to support you or your students. We're grateful for our partnership with you and look forward to having more of your students join us at the University of Kentucky! Go Cats! 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 | #UK2030 | @UKYAdmissions An Equal Opportunity University