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How to Write the University of Kentucky Essays 2020-2021

University of Kentucky is a public research institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. It prides itself on being one of only eight institutions in the US with the full complement of liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural, and medical colleges on one contiguous campus. UK has a total enrollment of around 30,500 and its acceptance rate hovers around 90%.

University of Kentucky applicants have the choice of applying via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or a UK-specific application. Students applying to the Lewis Honors College or the UK’s competitive academic scholarships must use either the University of Kentucky-specific application or the Common Application, and respond to an additional prompt. Want to know your chances at University of Kentucky? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what the University of Kentucky will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering UK needs to know.

University of Kentucky Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants, think of a time when you were dealing with a challenge (personal, academic, work related). how did you handle that did you seek support and if so who did you seek support from (250-650 words), for lewis honors college and competitive scholarship applicants only.

Who are three people that you feel have made a significant impact on the world in the last 100 years? Who are they and why did you select them? How would you want them to be recognized or memorialized (for example, with a day, a celebration, or a monument, etc.)? 

For All Applicants

This prompt asks you to address your self-awareness and response to adversity. The challenge you choose to discuss does not have to be something large-scale or grand to effectively answer the prompt. Instead, your topic should allow you to fully answer the questions posed. Try to choose a time when you faced a unique challenge or reacted in a way that brought out your strengths; avoid hackneyed topics about grades or losing a sports game.

For example, an essay that discusses struggling to get a good grade in calculus would not be as effective as an essay that focuses on what it took to develop the mental fortitude to become a runner despite being highly unathletic. A challenging class is simply too common of an experience, and is not considered a substantial enough challenge If you do choose an academic topic, be sure that it is distinctive and significant enough to give admissions a better picture of who you are. For more tips, check out Collegevine’s guide to writing to an overcoming challenges prompt .

Tone is crucial in answering this question. This prompt asks you to reflect on a challenge, so do not be afraid to admit that you struggled at first. Humility is key to successful self-reflection. However, your tone should also not be overly self-critical – resilience is an equally important value. 

So if you were to write about going from hating running to becoming a varsity runner, you could begin with descriptions of your thoughts mid-race before you came to appreciate running. “A mile in and my breath grew ragged; my feet dragged as if I were wearing shoes made of lead. ‘I just can’t wait to finish the season and be done with running forever,’ I thought as I stared at the runner in front of me.”

The first portion of this prompt asks how you handled your challenge. You do not need to focus on only one solution if you relied on multiple mechanisms. Often, there isn’t just one magic solution to our problems. However, you should provide clear methods that you used to address your challenge. 

For example, saying you had a change of heart and suddenly loved running does not explain how you handled the problem in enough detail. What were your methods? Were other people involved in the change? Who were they and how did they help you? Go through the concrete steps and internal processes that led you to a resolution.

Support systems — both peer and faculty-based — will become crucial during your college years. Success during a challenge can largely depend on your ability to know where and when to ask for help. This prompt asks you to explain how you use the support systems in your life. Your challenge should at least be partially addressed by an effective use of your support system. Let’s return to the running example. In that case, you could discuss how you were inspired by an older teammate, or how your coach became a mentor.

Note that your support systems do not need to be official organizations or people in authority. Your friends and family can also serve as a support system. Your support system also doesn’t need to provide you with something tangible, so long as they can provide you with emotional support or good advice.  

Who are three people that you feel have made a significant impact on the world in the last 100 years? Who are they and why did you select them? How would you want them to be recognized or memorialized (for example, with a day, a celebration, or a monument, etc.)? (500 words)

Before you begin to consider your response to these questions, it would be beneficial to briefly assess what Lewis Honors College stands for and why you would like to attend this program (if applicable). If you are applying to Lewis Honors College, you should be prepared to demonstrate your commitment to the College’s values, either directly or indirectly, in your response to this essay prompt. Lewis Honors College’s mission is “to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity.” As you can see, leadership is one of the College’s foremost values, and the admissions office wants to understand how you think about leadership and who has been a model of leadership to you.

Another related aspect of the prompt is your values. The prompt itself is asking you to consider who and what you value (within leadership), and then come up with three people who represent those values from the last century. What do you consider a “significant impact”? Is it scientific, humanitarian, athletic, intellectual, political, artistic? 

You should select people whose contributions span a few different areas you value or are interested in. The people you choose do not have to be universally popular or known; the only requirement is that they have made a significant impact on the world in your view. For example, if you’re scientifically inclined, you might choose Rosalind Franklin, the chemist who discovered that DNA has a double helix structure. Or maybe you believe the Percy Jackson series changed the world, in which case you might choose Rick Riordan. As long as the person represented or directly created change on a global scale in the past century (and you can back it up), they’re a valid choice.

This prompt then goes a step further by asking you to discuss how you would choose to commemorate each person. In last year’s honors prompt, applicants were asked to create a “new Mount Rushmore” with four different individuals. This year’s prompt challenges you to think critically about what memorialization means and come up with your own means of recognizing your chosen figures. There are a few suggestions embedded in the prompt – a day, a celebration, or a monument – but don’t feel like you must choose one of these options. Think creatively: what is the best way to remember your chosen figures? Here are a few ideas:

• Time – Is this person best remembered by setting aside time? Perhaps a moment of silence, a day, a week, or a month dedicated to remembrance of this figure. Is there a specific time (in the day or year) during which this person has special significance?
• Object – Is this figure best remembered with a permanent object? For example, a monument, a museum, or a cenotaph. Is there something about this person’s contribution that can be permanently displayed?
• Event – Is this person best represented by a social act or gathering in their name? Possibly a celebration, a vigil, a ritual, or a festival. Is there something about this person’s achievement or path to re-enact, enjoy, or grieve in conjunction with others?

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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University of Kentucky Secondary Application Prompts & Tips

• Cracking Med School Admissions

The University of Kentucky Medical School secondary application with several medium-length essays. The University of Kentucky School of Medicine admissions committee wants to understand you as a holistic person.  It wants to recruit a diverse, culturally competent, and socially aware class. Read our University of Kentucky secondary application tips below so you can learn how to stand out question by question! 

Submitting a strong secondary application is essentially in getting accepted. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine secondary prompts change frequently, so we do not suggest pre-writing these essays. Stand out on your University of Kentucky Medical School secondary application with our secondary essay editing packages !

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• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

• Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine?  (1,500 characters max)
• The University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s (UKCOM) mission statement promotes a diverse and inclusive environment that provides excellence in education, equitable health care, and transformative research to improve the health and wellness of Kentuckians and beyond. Please describe how your past experiences or future plans contribute to enriching and enhancing the learning environment at UKCOM.  (1,500 characters)
• If you are a non Kentucky resident, you are required to elaborate on your Kentucky ties if applicable (personal, familial e.g.) (700 characters max)
• UKCOM provides MD programs at four campuses including the Lexington Campus, the Morehead Campus (Rural Physician Leadership Program), the Bowling Green Campus, and the Northern Kentucky Campus. You will apply to one of the four UK College of Medicine campuses. Please indicate your campus choice. Please elaborate on why this is your preferred campus.  (700 characters max)
• What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess?  (1,500 characters max)
• Describe a personal activity involving advocacy and/or community service that has impacted your personal values about delivering equitable patient care.  (2,000 characters max)
• Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful?  (1,500 characters max)
• It is impossible to have predicted the drastic impact caused by the novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19. Describe how this has impacted your social interactions, connections with peers, and perception of teamwork. (1,500 characters max)
• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your life and/or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.  (2,500 characters)
• Describe a situation where you were not in the majority. (1,500 characters max)

Tips to Answer University of Kentucky Secondary Essays

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Pre-Writing Guidance: The University of Kentucky College of Medicine secondary prompts do change frequently, so we do not suggest pre-writing these essays.

• Download  all  our HIGH-YIELD tips for secondary essays:  Cracking Med School Admissions Secondary Essay Guide

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #1: For the University of Kentucky secondary application question, “ Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine ” make sure you read all our tips on how to answer this questions:  Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #2: Make sure to look up the various University of Kentucky College of Medicine campuses . 

Guidance to answer the University of Kentucky secondaries question about campus preference:

• Since there are only 700 characters for this question, some students write a list of characteristics rather than full sentences.
• Do your research on each campus. Where do you see yourself? Why do you want to be there? Are there any specific programs or clinical electives that interest you? 
• Reach out to faculty and students to learn more about the campuses. 
• Qualities that we advise students to highlight include: specific populations you want to serve (rural vs. suburban vs. urban); opportunities such as combined programs and the Certificate in Health Systems Leadership; curriculum; and clinical opportunities.

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #3: Tell stories that show your impact and interactions one-on-one with patients and individuals. For example, you should tell a story about a time you were grateful and a time when you saw a physician (or yourself) empathize with a patient.  

We strongly suggest that you include stories for the following University of Kentucky secondary application questions:

• The University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s (UKCOM) mission statement promotes a diverse and inclusive environment that provides excellence in education, equitable health care, and transformative research to improve the health and wellness of Kentuckians and beyond. Please describe how your past experiences or future plans contribute to enriching and enhancing the learning environment at UKCOM.  Write a story about a patient you met, an individual you helped through a community service project, or figuring out how to advance your research through critical thinking & problem solving. 
• What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess?  You can add a story that highlights a physician you shadowed or worked with and why that doctor showcases qualities of a great physician
• Describe a personal activity involving advocacy and/or community service that has impacted your personal values about delivering equitable patient care.  Add a story about an individual you impacted through a community service activity. 
• Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? 
• It is impossible to have predicted the drastic impact caused by the novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19. Describe how this has impacted your social interactions, connections with peers, and perception of teamwork.  Add 1-2 stories from COVID that highlight your reflections learned through the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your life and/or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine  Add stories from your personal background and ideally, you should add at least 1 patient story.
• Describe a situation where you were not in the majority.

Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta are excellent in helping medical school applicants stand out on secondaries. Contact us down below or email us at [email protected]  if you have questions or need help!

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #4: For the University of Kentucky secondary application question, “ Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful ” make sure you add a specific story and not pinpoint to a general cause of gratefulness. Additionally, make sure you add a reflection about the specific situation. 

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #5: For the COVID-19 question, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire  healthcare current events blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19. **Make sure to add your reflections about COVID-19 and how your insights influence your career in medicine.

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #6: For the University of Kentucky secondary application question, “Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your life and/or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine ” this is basically like an autobiography.

• Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post on how to craft an excellent autobiography:  How To Write An Autobiography For Medical School

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #7: For the University of Kentucky secondary question, “D escribe a situation where you were not in the majority ” read sample essays in our  Cracking Med School Admissions book ! Some strong applicants talk about instances when their ideas or opinions went against the status quo.

University of Kentucky Secondary Application Tip #8: Get our help to edit your University of Kentucky Medical School secondary application essays. We can help you through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

[Read More Secondary Essay Tips:  Ohio State University , University of Cincinnati College of Medicine  ,  Michigan State University ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

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Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

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University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

• Please elaborate on why this is your preferred campus. (1,000 characters max)
• What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess? (1,000 characters max)
• Describe a personal activity involving advocacy, social justice, and/or civic engagement that has impacted your personal values about delivering equitable patient care. (1,500 characters max)
• Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? (1,000 characters max)
• In providing patient care, should physicians maintain emotional distance or empathize with patients’ emotional state? (1,000 characters max)
• It is impossible to have predicted the drastic impact caused by the novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19. Describe the impact you have witnessed of this pandemic on those around you. (1,500 characters max)
• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life/work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (1,750 characters max)

University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021

• Please elaborate on why this is your preferred campus. (750 characters max)
• What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess? (1,500 characters max)
• Describe the most significant community service activity in which you have participated. What did you learn from that experience? (2,000 characters max)
• Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? (1,500 characters max)
• In providing patient care, should physicians maintain emotional distance or empathize with patients’ emotional state? (1,500 characters max)
• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life/work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (2,000 characters max)

University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

• (Optional) Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine? (1,000 characters max)
• (Optional) Please elaborate on personal characteristics and any accomplishments and experiences that you feel help to demonstrate your potential to contribute to the college and to the profession of medicine. (1,000 characters max)
• (Optional)  Please elaborate on any Kentucky ties: personal, familial, etc. (1,000 characters max)
• Describe a situation in your undergraduate education when you felt alive and engaged in learning. (1,500 characters max)
• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life/work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (2,500 characters max)

University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019

University of kentucky college of medicine all md applicants.

• How would you describe your ability to use unscheduled time during the day for learning?
• What competencies and qualities should a physician possess for practice in the 21st century? (1,500 characters max)

University of Kentucky College of Medicine Out-of-State Applicants Only

• Reasons for selecting a medical career;
• Things you have done to prepare yourself for a medical education and career;
• Personal characteristics and other accomplishments and experiences that you feel help qualify you for the practice of medicine; and,
• Why you chose to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
• Please elaborate on any Kentucky ties: personal, familial, etc.

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University of Kentucky Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

University of kentucky medical school secondary application questions: 2016 – 2017.

• Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.

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University of Kentucky Requirements for Admission

What are University of Kentucky's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of Kentucky and build a strong application.

School location: Lexington, KY

This school is also known as: UK

Admissions Rate: 94.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of Kentucky is 94.9% . For every 100 applicants, 95 are admitted.

This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

University of Kentucky GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.61

The average GPA at University of Kentucky is 3.61 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.61, University of Kentucky requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of Kentucky hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of Kentucky will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

University of Kentucky SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1200

The average SAT score composite at University of Kentucky is a 1200 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of Kentucky Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of Kentucky SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1080, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1280. In other words, a 1080 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1280 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of Kentucky has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that University of Kentucky requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that University of Kentucky will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1080, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

University of Kentucky ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of Kentucky likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 25

The average ACT score at University of Kentucky is 25. This score makes University of Kentucky Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 28.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 21 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to University of Kentucky, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 21.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of Kentucky considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

This school offers nearly open admissions, which means they give almost every student an offer of admission. To be safe, you should aim for a 1080 SAT or a 21 ACT or higher . If you can achieve this, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in the incoming class.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of Kentucky here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $50
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office August 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 7

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 15 Rolling, notification begins August 15
• Yes December 1 January 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 101 Lexington, KY 40506-0032
• Phone: (859) 257-9000 x9000
• Fax: (859) 257-3823
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

For the Honors College, there is an application deadline of December 1st and a separate essay you must complete on the application to UK. Additionally, merit scholarships are available. Most you are automatically considered for and some are automatic, but there are a few that require a separate application (which can be found on the UK general application) and a deadline of December 1st for consideration. Learn more at the scholarship page for incoming freshman.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of Kentucky, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of Kentucky.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of Kentucky. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of Kentucky, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of Kentucky, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of Kentucky is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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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 2025 with the UK application.

First-time freshmen can apply now for Fall 2025!

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 Fall 2025.  Transfer students may also apply using the Common App.

Readmission

Readmission, non-degree and certificate students can apply now for Fall 2025.

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Review Application Deadlines

If a deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time the following Monday.

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  

Annual Safety and Security Report

The 2023 Annual Safety and Security Report includes the latest statistics for 2023, as well as statistics from 2022 and 2021 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. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

Access the Safety and Security Reports

Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act

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. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

View the EADA Report

Annual Fire Safety Report

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. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

View the Annual Fire Safety Report

University of Kentucky Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Kentucky college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Kentucky. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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• Undergraduate

College Application Essays accepted by University of Kentucky

A surprising role model anonymous, university of kentucky.

I could feel the tears coming. My brother’s words pierced me like bullets, one by one, slowly overpowering my determination. I turned to face him and cleared my mind. After receiving the ball, I noticed him hesitate slightly and on instinct I...

Diversity to me Gilmore Morfaw Achenjang

In a classroom occupied by thirty students, I am the only one of African descent. In a locker room of varsity basketball athletes, I am the only one under six feet tall, and during a first priority assembly hosted by a peer, I am the only one of...

Home Away From Home Laith Nasfat Shehadeh

For many of my friends, summer break means swimming at the local pool and hanging out at our downtown movie theater. Yet for me, summer means traveling 6,000 miles to a completely different country, where I speak a completely different language...

Journey into Neverland Julia Dickenson

The first thing I learned in sophomore-year chemistry is that when two atoms or molecules hit each other with enough force while oriented in the correct manner, magic can happen. Well, “magic” isn’t exactly the word that the textbook uses, but...

Recent Questions about University of Kentucky

The Question and Answer section for University of Kentucky is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

We are offering new options for students in the two required essays for this certificate. Please note that all essays should be submitted at least  one month  before you graduate, to allow time for the director to read and offer feedback and for you to complete necessary revisions. You will submit your essays on Canvas ; please add yourself to the site by following this link . Please title your files as follows: LastName_FirstName_CGS_EssayNumber: for example, Dawson_Bess_CGS_Essay1 , then submit it under the correct assignment (Essay 1 or Essay 2) in PDF format.

You are required to submit two essays, chosen from the following options (you may do one of each, or both in the category of your choice):

Option 1: Essays you have written for a globally-focused course that match one of the following descriptions:

• Analyze and interpret key characteristics of a culture outside the United States, including its cultural products, traditions, and institutions . A successful essay in this category will demonstrate a detailed, sophisticated understanding of the target culture, its institutions, tradition and products. Analysis/interpretation reflects a nuanced understanding of the context(s)/ways(s) in which meanings are negotiated in the target culture and takes varying perspectives from within the target culture into account. Relevant/related social and/or historical examples and/or artifacts are discussed to support claims. Analysis/interpretation also reflects a high degree of cultural self-awareness. Student provides pertinent examples and is able to contextualize interpretations within broader cultural narratives.
• Relate cultural products, traditions, and institutions of your own culture(s) to those of a culture outside the United States . A successful essay in this category will demonstrate a high degree of awareness of similarities and/or differences between cultural institutions in target culture and their own cultural background and articulate these in detail using specific, relevant examples and personal experience. Comparison and/or analysis demonstrates a detailed, sophisticated understanding of the target culture, its institutions, tradition and products. Student demonstrates a high degree of cultural self-awareness. They provide appropriate examples and are able to contextualize personal experience within broader cultural narrative.

Option 2: Short reflective essays tying together the following components (1-2 pages each):

• Your globally-focused coursework, your experiences learning a new language, your time abroad, and an international activity  in the U.S.
• See below for more pointers for this type of essay.

_____________________________________________________________________________

GUIDELINES FOR REFLECTIVE ESSAYS (Option 2 listed above)

Each of the two essays must be between  400-600 words in length (1-2 pages) , and each must weave together the following elements ( keep in mind that you must tie the elements together in a way that flows well and creates one cohesive essay, rather than disparate sections ):

• One  approved internationally-focused activity  you have attended in the U.S.
• Your experiences during your education abroad program
• Language acquisition and/or comprehension
• Something you learned in a globally-focused course you have taken

If one or more of these elements is missing, you will be required to revise your essay.

You may wish to consult class notes, your journal, your photographs, and messages you wrote to family and friends as you gather ideas for this essay.  You may decide to focus on a positive experience that has inspired you, such as an insight gained in a class discussion, or an experience you enjoyed abroad; or you may be willing to share a dilemma you faced, or a fundamental question raised by an unexpected confrontation.  Please organize each of your essays in this way:

1.   Open your essay  by describing an actual experience, a reaction, an issue or a problem you encountered because you were living, studying, or working in an international context. Please note that this must be factual, not fictional.*

2.  Offer a comparison, or extend that description, by referring to  all of the following  in the next few paragraphs: the  event or activity in which you participated in the U.S. ; your  education abroad experience ; the world  language (s) in which you have learned to communicate; and what you have learned in  a course .  Remember that this is an opportunity for you to highlight the work you have done as an undergraduate in a way that allows you to tie together the skills, knowledge, and interests you have acquired.

3 .  Close your essay  by explaining how the experience, reaction, issue or problem was resolved or how it affected you, and by evaluating its impact upon your education, your personal goals, or your worldview.

* Please note : Descriptions of courses, education abroad, and language acquisition in your essay will be compared to those recorded on your transcript.  For this reason, we will be worried about plagiarism if you describe a scene in a courtroom in Mexico even though you were granted credit for working in a clinic in Guatemala.

Students who plan to use this essay as a rough draft of an application for further study, for a graduate fellowship, or for a volunteer position, and who will therefore stress the skills, knowledge, and practical experience they have gained abroad, may want to look at  this useful website .

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are the university of kentucky essay prompts.

I've been looking into University of Kentucky and I'm curious to know what the essay prompts are for their application. I want to make sure I put my best foot forward. Can someone provide me with the prompts or direct me to the right resources?

Unfortunately, it's hard to give a universal answer to this question, as recently there have been some years when University of Kentucky requires additional, school-specific essays, and others when they require only your main Common App essay. To be sure you know what all the requirements will be for you, check Kentucky's website, or their profile on the Common App, on August 1st before your senior year, as that's when any supplemental prompts for the coming applications season are released.

If there are any Kentucky-specific supplements, it's important to answer these prompts honestly and authentically. Show the admissions team who you are and what you're passionate about, and let your personality shine through so they can see exactly why you'd be such a good fit for their school.

Additionally, if you want help refining any of your essays, whether your personal statement or a school-specific supplement, consider utilizing CollegeVine's Free Peer Essay Review Tool, or submitting your essay for a paid review by an expert college admissions advisor through CollegeVine's marketplace. A more objective set of eyes can often help you identify any typos or grammatical errors, as well as give you a more objective sense of whether your ideas are coming across clearly.

Good luck with your application to Kentucky!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Write a Compelling Grad School Personal Statement

In This Article:

Your graduate school personal statement is your opportunity to make a lasting impression on admissions committees. It is your chance to demonstrate why you are the perfect candidate for your desired program. But often, the task of writing a personal statement can be overwhelming.

To help guide you through this process, here are some valuable tips compiled by UK Online recruitment specialists.

Tips Before You Start Writing 

Be authentic and reflect.

Before you put pen to paper, take some time to reflect on your life experiences, academic journey, and career aspirations. Be authentic and true to yourself in your writing. Highlight the unique aspects of your life that have led you to this point. The admissions committee is interested in who you are as an individual.

Demonstrate Motivation 

Showcase your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree. Before you start writing, think about: What drives you? Why are you are passionate about your chosen field?  How does this program fits into your long-term goals? Admissions committees want to see that you have a clear sense of purpose and a genuine interest in the subject.

Highlight Experiences 

Your personal statement is the perfect place to highlight your academic and extracurricular experiences that have prepared you for this program. Reflect on any research, internships, or projects that have influenced your decision to pursue graduate studies. Connect these experiences to your future academic and career goals.

Convey Writing Skills 

Effective communication is a crucial skill for graduate students. Your personal statement should showcase your writing abilities. Dedicate time to making this one of your best writing pieces. Ensure your statement is well-structured, free of grammatical errors, and flows logically. Seek feedback from peers or writing centers to enhance its quality.

What You Should Include in Your Personal Statement

Introduction.

Your opening paragraph is your chance to make a memorable first impression. Craft an engaging introduction that captivates the reader's attention. Use a powerful anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a striking statement to draw them in. Admissions committees review numerous applications, so standing out from the beginning is vital.

Personal Background

Share your academic history and personal background. Discuss your achievements, academic journey, and relevant experiences. Explain how your background has led you to the point of applying for this specific program.

Motivation and Goals

Clearly articulate your reasons for pursuing this graduate program. What are your short-term and long-term goals? Explain how the program aligns with your aspirations. This section should convey your enthusiasm and commitment.

Relevance of Experience

Highlight the experiences, internships, or research projects that have contributed to your readiness for this program. Connect these experiences to the skills and knowledge you will bring to the graduate program. Show that you are well-prepared.

Unique Qualities

Discuss what makes you unique. Mention your unique qualities, skills, or attributes that set you apart from other applicants. This is your chance to stand out and show why you're a valuable addition to the program.

In your conclusion, summarize your key points and reiterate your passion for the program. Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to join the institution. End on a positive note and leave the reader with a memorable impression.

Remember to be authentic, showcase your motivation, highlight your experiences, convey your writing skills, and make a lasting impression. Craft a personal statement that reflects your unique journey and demonstrates your readiness for graduate studies. Best of luck with your application!

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Application for Admission

You will apply to our programs through the  University of Kentucky Graduate School . Please note: GRE scores are not required for admission to any of EPE’s Degree Programs.

Your completed application will contain the following documents:

• Program Application:  Go to Graduate School Application Portal
• Personal Statement:  A personal/professional statement is very important to your application. The admissions committee is interested in determining how well your personal goals align with what our department can offer. Doctoral candidates should also outline goals for research in the doctoral program. These statements should be less than 500 words.
• Writing Sample (Doctoral Students only):  Your writing sample helps us assess whether your writing skills are up to the challenge of graduate coursework in our department. We like to see samples that show your ability to analyze a problem, develop a thesis, and work with primary and/or secondary sources. Thus an academic paper or article is often the best choice, but some professional writing would also be acceptable if it includes evidence of these critical writing skills. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you would like to write an essay specifically for your application.
• Letters of Recommendation (2 for Masters & 4 for Doctoral Students):  Your recommendations help us determine the likelihood of success in graduate school and confirm your description of your goals for study. Thus your recommenders should know you well, and at least half of your letters should come from people who know your academic work (or at least your writing and analysis skills). You will be asked for your recommender’s email address as a step in the application portal. If email is not an option, you may ask your recommenders to send written letters directly to the department via postal mail.
• Transcript(s):  You must submit all transcripts directly from your prior institutions to our Graduate School. Do not have them sent to the department. You may upload non-certified copies as placeholder for review, but official copies must be received for admission.
• CV (recommended):  Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests.

See below for more information about our process.

Application Deadlines

Applications for all of our degree programs and graduate certificates are reviewed on a rolling basis.  Apply anytime up to the Graduate School application deadlines found on the Graduate School Calendar.  

For students interested in applying for fellowships and/or assistantships, please apply by February 1 for Summer/Fall admission. Calls for applications for most funding opportunities including university fellowships, assistantships in other departments, and EPE assistantships are typically made in January or February for the following year and decisions are sent out in March or April. EPE does not promise funding with admission. 

Prospective International Students

International applicants have different deadlines and requirements than their domestic counterparts. To learn more,  visit the Graduate School’s website . For further information, look at the  prospective student resources provided by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) .

About our Admission Review Process

Admissions procedures for the degrees and certificates in Educational Policy Studies & Evaluation will follow the guidelines currently identified in the University of Kentucky Graduate School’s most recent edition of the Graduate Student Handbook and the specific policies of the Department of Educational Policy Studies & Evaluation’s EPE Graduate Student Handbook.

Applications for all our programs are accepted for Summer/Fall and Spring admission. A sub-committee of faculty will review applications and make recommendations to the full faculty. The full faculty will then review the recommendations and application folders and arrives at an admissions decision for each case. GRE scores are not required for admission to any of our programs.

Students from a variety of backgrounds will be encouraged to apply to the program and ideally the program will include many students from outside the field of education who are interested in educational research methods, policy studies, and/or higher education. No minimum GPA is required for student admission.

Admitted students will be allowed to transfer in 9 credit hours, per The Graduate School’s requirement, however, the Director of Graduate Studies must approve of the credits. As with all EPE graduate degree programs, students admitted to an EPE program or certificate must also be admitted into the University of Kentucky’s Graduate School.

To remain in good standing in EPE degree programs, students must show they are making acceptable progress towards completion of the degree and remain continuously enrolled in the program. Failure to sustain continuous enrollment (or to apply on time for a leave of absence) may result in having to reapply to your program of study. Reapplications are reviewed at the next available faculty meeting and are reviewed by the department faculty as a committee of the whole.

Questions about admissions processes, navigating the Graduate School Portal, and other logistics can be addressed to Melissa McCaughan .

Susan Bordo is Professor of Gender and Women's Studies and holds the Otis A. Singletary Chair in the Humanities at the University of Kentucky. She is the author of The Flight to Objectivity: Essays on Cartesianism and Culture (SUNY Press, 1987), Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body (U. of California Press, 1993), Twilight Zones: The Hidden Life of Cultural Images from Plato to O.J. (U. of California Press, 1997) and The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and in Private (Farrar, Straus and Giroux,1999) and The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England’s Most Notorious Queen (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013 .) She is also editor of Feminist Interpretations of Descartes (Penn State Press,1999) and co-editor (with Alison Jaggar) of Gender/Body/Knowledge: Feminist Reconstructions of Being and Knowing (Rutgers University Press, 1989) and Provocations: A Transnational Reader in the History of Feminist Thought (with  Ellen Rosenman and Cristina Alcalde) University of California Press, 2015. This April, T he Destruction of Hillary Clinton was published by Melville House. Bordo has has numerous appearances in bookstores, in the media, and at academic institutions in connection with this highly topical work.

Bordo is known for the clarity, accessibility, and contemporary relevance of her writing. Her work has been translated into many languages, and individual chapters, many of which are considered paradigms of lucid writing, are frequently re-printed in collections and writing textbooks. The Flight to Objectivity is considered a classic of feminist philosophy. Unbearable Weight, a University of California Press best seller and the first book to draw attention to the profound role of cultural images in the spread of eating problems across race and class, is widely cited, anthologized and used in courses throughout the disciplines. Named a Notable Book of 1993 by the New York Times, it received a Distinguished Publication Award from the Association for Women In Psychology. Columnist Katha Pollitt named it one of the five best books in Gender and Women's Studies of 1993.   The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and in Private (1999,) one of the first in the then-emerging field of masculinity studies, was featured in Mademoiselle, Elle, Vanity Fair , NPR, and MSNBC, and has been hailed by men as one of the most sympathetic feminist accounts of their insecurities. Her most recent books are  The Creation of Anne Boleyn (available in US and UK editions, as well as a best-selling audiobook) and the just-released co-edited collection Provocations. She has many young fans who email her about the positive effect her books have had on their lives. 

The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England’s Most Notorious Queen , was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in April 2013 to widespread critical acclaim. In it, Bordo draws on historical scholarship and cultural studies to probe the complexities and challenge the mythology surrounding Anne Boleyn’s life and afterlife, exploring how generations of polemicists, biographers, novelists, and filmmakers imagined and re-imagined Anne: whore, martyr, cautionary tale, proto "mean girl," feminist icon, and everything in between. The UK edition was published in January 2014.

Susan Bordo lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband Edward Lee, daughter Cassie, dogs Sean, Dakota, and Piper, Rocco the cat, and cockatiels Avery and Pearl.

For reviews of The Creation of Anne Boleyn, see:

http://susanbordopress.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/and-the-reviews-are-coming-in/ .

Critical Praise for Unbearable Weight :

• “A classic of feminist theory.” The New York Times
• "Unbearable Weight is brilliant. From an immensely knowledgeable feminist perspective, in engaging, jargonless (!) prose, Bordo analyzes a whole range of issues connected to the body—weight and weight loss, exercise, media images, movies, advertising, anorexia and bulimia, and much more—in a way that makes sense of current social landscape—finally! This is a great book for anyone who wonders why women’s magazines are always describing delicious food as ‘sinful’ and why there is a cake called Death by Chocolate. Loved it!” -- Katha Pollitt, Nation columnist and author of Subject to Debate: Sense and Dissents on Women, Politics, and Culture (2001)
• “This is a terrific book!” -- Nancy J. Chodorow, author of The Power of Feelings: Personal Meaning in Psychoanalysis, Gender, and Culture (2001)
• “Susan Bordo’s Unbearable Weight is a masterpiece of complex an nuanced thinking not only about a significant problem that faces women but about our culture. A very valuable book.” -- Susan Griffin, author of The Book of the Courtesans: A Catalogue of Their Virtues (2001)
• “To read Susan Bordo is to take a wild ride through the cultural images that form our daily lives, and to see them with a startling X-ray vision that reveals their blood and guts and bones, a vision that reveals us, finally, to ourselves.” -- Leslie Heywood, author of Pretty Good for A Girl (1999)

Praise for the First Edition:

• A New York Times Notable Book of the Year 1993
• Association for Women in Psychology Distinguished Publication Award, 1994
• “This excellent study links the fear of women’s fat with a fear of women’s power and shows that as opportunities for women increase, their bodies dwindle.” -- New York Times Book Review
• “Original, stimulating, and witty.” -- San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

Critical Praise for The Male Body :

• "Provocative, unexpected and winning....remarkable, and not just because it is by a female scholar who has been through the gender wars. It is very tough. It is also very tender. " -- Richard Eder, The New York Times
• "An unqualified pleasure: thoughtful, funny, unusually engaging, with moments of almost novelistic poignancy." -- Louis Bayard, The Washington Post Book World
• "...a grand, often hilarious Baedeker of beefcake and its discontents." -- Jesse Green, The New York Times Book Review
• "With an almost chatty style, but also possessing a subtle power, her book transforms our habitual understanding of movies, advertisements, novels, and even trends and toys...Bordo's talent for reading culture presents us with the most valuable gift: a newly configured imagination."--Susan Griffin, Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review
• "Her writing is lively and her arguments compelling. As she strips away the layers and bares the male body, she deftly shows the beauty--and baggage--such images convey."                                    -- Karen Houppert, Newsday
• "Equipped with wit and savvy, Bordo sets out to map the ambivalent attitudes that exist in the American cultural imagination toward male bodies . . . Part memoir, part elegy, this feminist guided tour of the male body concludes with real hope for improved relations between the sexes." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review
• "....a frank, sprightly, and, yes, educational look at the male nude as an index to attitudes about sexuality in the broth of media and pop culture in which, like it or not, we all stew." -- Patrizia DiLucchio, Amazon.Com
• "...one of the most incisive social critics working today--and one of the best writers, too. Whether she's dissecting Lolita, movie and book, or Marlon Brando, 50s icon and symbol of masculinity, she's never predictable and often profound." -- Katha Pollitt
• Please note: Dr. Bordo will no longer be taking on any new dissertation advisees
• Gender and Women's Studies

Critical Praise for Unbearable Weight:

Critical Praise for the Male Body:

Read an excerpt of The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and in Private.

• University of Kentucky
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Scholarships

• Scholarships are awarded only to applicants admitted for the Fall semester
• Applicants with missing documentation may not be considered for scholarships.
• No scholarships are awarded in the Spring semester. 
• All scholarships listed below are renewable and can be combined. 

Scholarships for International Freshmen

Bluegrass spirit academic scholarship.

$5,000 -  3.0GPA

$8,000 -  3.5GPA or 3.0GPA & 1200 SAT 

$10,000 -  3.6GPA  or 3.5GPA & 1200 SAT 

$12,500 -  3.8GPA  or 3.5GPA & 1360 SAT 

Deadline: December 1

View details

W.C. Parker Belonging Scholarship

$5,000 - $15,000 per year

Minimum GPA 2.5 + supplementary essay

Priority Deadline: December 1

International Ambassador Scholarship

$3,000 - 50% of tuition

Minimum GPA 2.5 + supplementary materials

Priority Deadline: February 15

Scholarships for International Transfer Students

$2,500 per year

Priority Deadline: June 15

Priority Deadline: May 15

Transfer Achievement Scholarship

$4,000 per year

Minimum GPA 3.0

Trustees Scholarship

~$8,000 per year

Minimum GPA 3.5

Phi Theta Kappa

~$15,000 per year

Must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa in good academic standing with at least 48 credit hours completed before transferring

Scholarships for International Graduate Students

For more information about scholarships and funding for international graduate students, click the link below.

Departmental Scholarships

Academic departments across campus offer scholarships and funding specifically for students in certain programs. For more information, click the link below.

External Resources and Grants

Funding sources can differ depending on the region of the world in which students live. We strongly suggest contacting the nearest  Overseas Education Advising Center  or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. These centers have updated information about financial assistance and can assist with the application process. 

Education USA and the U.S. Embassy   

Institute of International Education (IIE)   

World Bank Scholarship Program   

American Association of Women (AAUW) International Fellowships   

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund   

International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)  

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Academic Scholarships

The University of Kentucky Academic Scholarship Program offers funds to outstanding students who demonstrate the potential for superior academic performance. Academic-based scholarships are administered by the Office of Academic Scholarships, and awards are made without regard to financial status, race, creed, religious preference, or sex.

Incoming Freshmen

Current Undergraduate Students

Transfer Students

Graduate and Professional Students

Non-Traditional and Part-Time Students

International Students

Academic scholarship faq.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarship Universe

Scholarship Universe (SU) is an online scholarship platform that matches students to relevant, vetted external scholarship opportunities, as well as internal scholarships offered by the university. SU is available for currently enrolled UK students and admitted prospective students who have a linkblue account.   

Visit ScholarshipUniverse

College and Department Scholarships

Parker Scholarship

Need-Based Scholarships

Institutional awards are not guaranteed. All students are considered based on timing of application, meeting requirements for admission, and doing so by established deadlines. Institutional aid programs are evaluated each year and are provided based on the availability of funds.

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Lewis Honors College

By the numbers, mission in action.

Explore Your Purpose

Honors advisors and the Center for Personal Development counselors partner with students in their exploration of purpose to cultivate self-awareness, well-being, and career readiness.

Develop Intellectually

Honors at Kentucky has a long and proud history, dating back to 1958, and thousands of students have passed through our program, exploring themselves and the boundaries of thought with outstanding faculty.

Lead With Integrity

Providing leadership development opportunities enables students to fulfill their experiential credit while bolstering lifelong skills to apply as a graduate student or employee.

Participating in Honors throughout my undergraduate career has helped me maintain a holistic education. I am interested in science and medicine in my career and having Honors classes that address the role of the humanities in these fields has really broadened my perspective.

Why Honors?

Honors Residential Experience

Center for Personal Development

Internship, Research, Education Abroad, Service-Learning Opportunities

Dedicated Honors Faculty

Interested in learning more.

News and Events

UK student turns summer research project into poetry book

Just because classes are out for the summer at the University of Kentucky, does not mean students have put a pause on their educational pursuits. This summer, while many were enjoying a well-deserved break, UK Lewis Honors College junior Beaux Hardin was hard at work, deeply immersed in research that could have a lasting impact on their field of study.

Lewis Honors College Hosts Inaugural Golf Scramble

The Lewis Honors College (LHC) attracts students driven “to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” LHC senior Ethan Morgan took the mission to heart when he initiated the inaugural LHC Golf Scramble to benefit the Lewis Unforeseen Circumstances and Kindness (LUCK) Fund — an emergency collection for unexpected student needs — to be held on Friday, April 18 at 1:30 PM at the University Club of Kentucky Wildcat Course.

Beam Institute welcomes 1st class of interns (including one LHC student)

LEXINGTON, Ky.   (July 29, 2024) — The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky welcomes its first class of interns this summer. The group is a mix of students from different programs and majors at UK. Head Distiller Glenna Joyce-Welsko has been leading the students through production training and encouraging their research outside of the distillery.

Aug 29, 7:00 pm - Aug 29, 8:00 pm

Johnson Center Group Exercise Room (2nd floor)

Getting Organized

Sep 04, 5:30 pm - Sep 04, 6:30 pm

Lewis Hall Room U136 420 Hilltop Ave

Kentucky Blood Center Blood Drive

Sep 05, 9:00 am - Sep 05, 5:00 pm

Lewis Scholars Lounge 420 Hilltop Ave, Lexington, KY

Lewis Honors College University of Kentucky Lewis Hall, 420 Hilltop Avenue Lexington, KY 40508 Phone: 859-257-3111

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University of Kentucky Essays Guidelines

The University of Kentucky is one of the eight institutions that have a complement of liberal arts, professional, agricultural, engineering and medical schools in one campus. The university acceptance rates are above 90% and has an enrollment of about 30,500 students. Application to join the university will require one applying through three ways:

• the Common Application
• UK-specific application
• Coalition application

However, if you are applying for an academic scholarship, you can use the Common application or UK-specific application and you will need to respond to the University of Kentucky application essay prompts.  

More About University of Kentucky Application Essay Prompts

Application essay prompts for the University of Kentucky can be for all applicants or those applicants seeking honors college and competitive scholarships. The prompt questions provided aim to test self-awareness and one’s response to adversity. Your approach to such a prompt needs one to thoroughly and extensively answer the prompt. Choose to discuss instances where you faced unique challenges or developed your strengths when you are asked to explain how you deal with challenges in your life.

To be unique when responding to a University of Kentucky application essay prompt, consider going for unique encounters when discussing challenges and struggles. Being distinctive and proving a high level of awareness and uniqueness gives your application for admission a better preview of who you are.

Choose the correct tone when responding to a prompt. A proper tone entails an element of humility that is essential to achieve successful self-reflection. Remember to demonstrate resilience to prevent the tone of your response from being overly self-critical.

When asked to express how you will deal with challenges that you encounter in life, do not forget to mention the support system in your life. In college, it is your peers and faculty members. When addressing how you deal with challenges, prove the effective use of a support system to help you solve problems you experience along the way. A support system can also be of friends and family who offer sound advice and emotional support and are not exclusively reliant on people with authority.

The University of Kentucky honors college essay

When responding to an honors college prompt, you must assess what the University of Kentucky stands for and why you want to be part of their program if you succeed. Applying for an honors college requires you to show commitment to the college’s values when responding to the essay prompt, directly or indirectly.

If the college’s highly held values are about leadership, ensure your response to the prompt shows that you understand aspects of leadership and think positively about leadership. You could use people with a history of displaying good leadership traits and are universally known for contributing value to the world through their leadership.

An essay prompt on leadership can further require you to explain how you can commemorate the individuals you have chosen as your leadership role models. You will need to think of your unique way of celebrating the people that stood out to you. You can select commemoration of setting time like a day or week in remembrance of the person or opt to use an object like a monument for remembrance or a festival/celebration in the name of your chosen icon can be your choice of approach.

Application essays can be challenging to write when you fail to read the instructions or prompt carefully. When writing an application essay, ensure you understand all that is required of you. Your response to the prompt should be generated from the inner voice within you. The introduction needs to be compelling, and your essay outline needs to be clear and precise that the admission board can understand and picture who you are before meeting you in person. Let your essay be unique and free from cliches to create a sense of uniqueness and difference from other application essays. Most importantly, ensure you proofread your application essay before sending it to the admission board.

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Average graduating GPA of Lewis Honors students.