university of kentucky admissions essay

• University of Kentucky

• Main Menu / Search

Apply to UK

First-time freshmen.

The Early Action Track is encouraged for all freshmen – especially if you wish to be considered for the Lewis Honors College, competitive and academic scholarships or if you plan to live on campus.

This is our Regular Decision Track, which allows you to be considered for admission to UK but you may not be considered for Lewis Honors College or Competitive and Academic Scholarships if applying after December 1.

First-time freshmen can apply for Fall 2024 with the UK application.

First-time freshmen can apply now for Spring or Fall 2024!

The University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission allowing most freshman applicants to be considered for admission without an ACT or SAT score.

Students may also apply to UK using the Common App.

Start the UK Application

Need an assist?

Watch this step-by-step tutorial of how to apply for admission to the University of Kentucky if you are coming in as a freshman.

Transfer and Readmission Students

Transfer students.

Transfer students can apply now for Spring and Fall 2024. 

Readmission

Readmission, non-degree and certificate students can apply now for Spring and Fall 2024.

Already applied?

Check Status

Check your status by logging into the Undergraduate Application

Review Application Deadlines

The University of Kentucky is committed to providing a safe learning, living and working environment for all members of the University community. 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972  ( 20 U.S.C. § 1681 ) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.  Consistent with this obligation, the University of Kentucky prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex in academics, employment, and all of its programs and activities.   The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX .  To view UK's full policy, visit ieeo.uky.edu/key-priorities/title-ix-compliance .

You may direct any questions to the University's Title IX coordinator. Meredith Reeves  Interim Title IX Coordinator   13 Main Building  Lexington, KY 40506-0032  859-257-8927 Request an Appointment  

The 2023 Annual Safety and Security Report includes the latest statistics for 2022, as well as statistics from 2021 and 2020 concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by UK; and on public property immediately adjacent to campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security. You can access the report at  https://police.uky.edu/get-informed/annual-safety-security-reports

Click to follow link.">police.uky.edu/get-informed/annual-safety-security-reports . Paper copies will be provided upon request.

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) requires co-educational institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid and have intercollegiate athletic programs to prepare an annual EADA report. The Report on Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data includes athletic participation, staffing, revenues and expenses for men's and women's teams. You can access the report at  uknow.uky.edu/files/report-athletic-program-participation-rates-and-financial-support-data-fy23pdf . Paper copies will be provided upon request.

The 2023 Annual Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported fires in on-campus student housing facilities, such as residence halls, Greek housing, graduate housing or at any facility designated as a place of residence for students. The report also includes a description of fire safety systems; yearly fire drills; policies on portable electrical appliances, furniture, decorations, bicycles/motorized scooters and open flames; evacuation procedures; policies on fire safety education and training; and contact information. You can access the report at https://ehs.uky.edu/docs/pdf/fs_annual_fire_safety_report_2023_01.pdf

Click to follow link.">ehs.uky.edu/docs/pdf/fs_annual_fire_safety_report_2023_01.pdf . Paper copies will be provided upon request.

• Campus News
• Student News
• UK HealthCare
• UK Happenings
• Arts & Culture
• Professional News

Application for undergraduate admission now open

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 1, 2022) — High school seniors who are ready to make their boldest dreams a reality can now begin their University of Kentucky journey. The application for undergraduate admission opened today, Aug. 1, for the 2023-24 academic year.

Prospective students have two online application options — the UK Application and the Common App . 

Students who want to be considered for competitive and academic scholarships and the Lewis Honors College should apply by Dec. 1 using the Early Action track. The Regular Decision deadline is Feb. 15. 

“The Office of Undergraduate Admission is excited to begin receiving applications for the 2023-24 academic year,” Christine Harper, associate vice president for enrollment management and chief enrollment officer, said. “We encourage all incoming first-year students to apply as soon as possible to join our Wildcat family. Applying early gives students the best opportunity and access to scholarships and financial aid.”

To complete the application, students will need their high school transcript, their emergency contact information and a resume or list of activities. Applying for competitive, academic scholarships and/or the Lewis Honors College requires completion of an additional essay portion of the application. There is also a $50 ($60 international students) application fee.

UK is ensuring that the opportunity to access higher education is simpler for prospective students. For the 2023-24 academic year, the university is continuing to be “test-optional” for admission . This means that an ACT or SAT score is not required for a student seeking admission to UK. If a student chooses to submit their test scores, they will be accepted either directly from the testing agency or on the official high school transcript.

In addition to not requiring an ACT or SAT exam score for admission, the university is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students, whether they apply with or without test scores.

The best way to discover the opportunities at UK is to experience them for yourself. The  admissions team is traveling the country and rolling out the Big Blue carpet on campus in a series of fall events. Potential Wildcats are invited to join a UK Preview or Big Blue Open House . Students may also contact the Visitor Center to register for a campus tour.

“We invite all prospective students to visit campus and see for themselves why the University of Kentucky is the best place to further their education,” Harper said.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.   

Latest Stories

Provost impact award addresses teacher shortage , 2024 gaines student fellows announced, ‘danceblue was a huge light’ – patient, now uk student, inspired to help heal others, 2024 uky student film festival call for submissions now open, next generation of nurses take their first step with uk healthcare.