Admission for freshman applicants is based on a holistic review including high school grades, national college admission test results (if submitted), successful completion of the pre-college curriculum and essay.
Most undergraduate majors at UK permit a student to be directly admitted to their program (or with a pre-major designation) as part of the general undergraduate admission process. However, some colleges and programs at UK require an admission process separate from general undergraduate admission to the University. If an applicant has chosen a selective major the applicant may be placed into an alternate major until a final decision is made.
These selective admission majors and programs may require some combination of the following:
- Standardized test scores and/or higher GPAs than those required for general admission, including meeting the minimum Kentucky statewide academic readiness requirements for Reading, Writing and Math. Statewide academic readiness requirements can be achieved by submitting ACT or SAT scores, or a review of core high school subjects and grades by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
- A separate application after being admitted for general admission.
- A portfolio of past work related to the requested field.
- On-campus or video interviews.
- Pursuant to the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education (13 KAR 2:020) Guidelines for Admission to state-supported postsecondary education, applicants admitted with a cumulative unweighted high school GPA between 2.00-2.49 on a 4.0 scale will be required to enter into a Wildcat Success Plan (learning contract) with the University of Kentucky prior to enrollment.
