It is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Kentucky family. As you prepare to officially become a Wildcat, please carefully read this booklet and complete all of the necessary steps to ensure your place in the incoming class. With more than 200 majors and more than 500 student organizations, your time at the University of Kentucky promises to be enriching and challenging, preparing you for a life of leadership, meaning and purpose. As you prepare to enter college, we know you will be entering an ever-changing workplace; a place where you will have to reinvent or adapt a job to match our global economy. At the University of Kentucky, we want you to learn all of the skills you need to compete and succeed. Learning takes place where your creative fires are sparked and where your studies match your passions – where you “see blue.” Nothing is in your way if you can see it and we are excited to help you prepare for the future. Congratulations.
“see blue.”,
Don E. Witt Associate Provost for Enrollment Management
@DonWittUK facebook.com/universityofkentuckyadmissions @UKYAdmission
1. Activate Your Link Blue Account and Your University Email Account
2. Select Your Required “see blue.” U Orientation Date and Pay Your Enrollment Deposit
Link blue is a directory account (user id and password) used when connecting to many campus-wide systems, including myUK, Blackboard, APEX Degree Planner and iTunesU.
This must be completed by May 1 for freshmen admitted to the fall semester. Your link blue account must be activated to select your “see blue.” U date. If you need assistance, contact the university orientation office at (859) 257-3256.
You will need the following information from your admission letter: STUDENT TEMPORARY PASSCODE: This code is six characters (alpha/numeric). UK ID NUMBER: This number is eight digits in length. Next, go to newstudent.uky.edu. For step-by-step directions through the activation wizard, go to uky.edu/ukit/help/linkblue#activate.
3. Financial Aid and Scholarships seeblue.com/ukaid seeblue.com/scholarships UK is proud to award more than $230 million in financial aid and scholarships annually. Automatic and competitive scholarship applications are part of the UK undergraduate admission application, so there is no separate application for awards from the institution. To be considered for competitive academic scholarships your application must have been received by December 1. Apply early for financial aid. The priority deadline for application is February 15. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov. All students should fill out this application; it is available in January. Include UK’s federal school code, 001989, on your application.
4. Apply for Housing and Living Learning Program (LLP) uky.edu/housing If you plan to live on campus, you should apply for housing as soon as possible after admission to UK. Applying for admission and applying for housing are two separate processes. Usually, new students who live on campus and in a Living Learning Program are more successful students. Students who applied for admission before December 1 (Early Action Track) should apply before February 15 for the Housing/LLP Early Action Track. Students who applied for admission after December 1 (Regular Decision Track) should apply for Housing/LLP by April 1. Living on campus and participating in an LLP offers students the opportunity to live with those who share similar interests or majors and to find a close-knit community within a large university. These communities offer specialized programming, interactions with UK faculty and staff, and a supportive environment that focuses on student success. Remember - apply for Housing/LLP right after admission to UK. To apply for Housing and your top 3 LLP choices, go to myUK Portal, select myInfo, select Undergraduate Housing. A Housing Deposit will be required by May 1.
5. Connect with Us Just because you’re an admitted student doesn’t mean that you have all the answers. We are here to help you! Be sure to connect with admissions and your university on social media.
Undergraduate Admission applyuk.com facebook.com/universityofkentuckyadmissions @UKYAdmission youtube.com/ukseeblue applyuk.tumblr.com instagram.com/seeblue
University of Kentucky uky.edu facebook.com/universityofky @universityofky youtube.com/universityofkentucky
Share your story with us on all of our social media outlets using #seeblue.
6. Visit Campus
9. Laptop/Tablet Recommendation
uky.edu/VisitorCenter
seeblue.com/laptop
No, you didn’t read that heading incorrectly. Even though admission to the University has already been granted, many students have not taken an official campus tour and visit. We encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunity to see their new Kentucky home through an official visit to UK.
The University of Kentucky strongly recommends that each student purchase a personal laptop computer or equivalent tablet device. A student’s program requirements, budget, and preference should be the primary factors in choosing a laptop/tablet. Most laptops on the market will meet basic needs; however, UK offers a few guidelines.
7. Apply for Parking
10. Disability Resource Center
uky.edu/PTS
seeblue.com/drc
If you plan to bring a car to campus, you will want to sign up for a UK parking permit, which allows you to park in permit-designated lots on campus. You can apply online between June 16 and August 20. Parking permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit Parking and Transportation Service’s website.
Students with disabilities or chronic health problems should contact the Disability Resource Center at (859) 257-2754 for information about services, academic accommodations and disability documentation guidelines.
8. Get to Know Your President seeblue.com/congratulations
What to Do
Checklist seeblue.com/nextsteps
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Activate link blue account Confirm your “see blue.” U Orientation date using myUK Send us your final transcripts Review Transcript and Degree Planner Complete financial aid application Complete campus Housing and Living Learning Program application Follow UKY Admission and the University of Kentucky on Facebook and Twitter Take an official campus tour Apply for parking permit Get to know your President – seeblue.com/congratulations Review laptop/tablet recommendations If applicable, contact the Disability Resource Center Activate Wildcat CareerLink
President Patterson Statue
It is rumored that if you rub President Patterson’s right foot before a big test, he’ll send a little extra luck your way! This is a favorite tradition of UK students, and hey, any little help couldn’t hurt, right?
Wildcat Sculpture at Alumni Plaza
Added to campus in the spring of 2012, the Wildcat Sculpture at Alumni Plaza welcomes new and old Wildcats alike to campus from Avenue of Champions. Engraved in the stones surrounding the statue are the names of alumni and friends of the university.
Athletic Schedules
Athletics are an exciting aspect of college life, and as a member of Big Blue Nation, you’ll be part of a powerhouse program in one of the country’s top conferences–the Southeastern Conference. UK’s 22 varsity sports have become synonymous with championships. Check out all of our teams’ schedules at go.uky.edu/BBNEvents
Get Involved!
getinvolved.uky.edu
Wildcat Nickname
The official nickname for the University of Kentucky’s athletic teams is the Wildcats. The nickname became synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909. Commandant Carbusier, the head of the military department at old State University, told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Kentucky football team had “fought like wildcats."
Getting involved in a student organization is not just fun and games (though they are a lot of fun); it’s about making you a happier and more successful Wildcat. Research shows that students who are involved with a student organization are more connected to their university and perform better in the classroom. The only investigating you'll be doing at the CSI (Center for Student Involvement) at UK is to find what organization meets your passion the most. And with more than 500 student organizations, there’s an activity for you at UK. Not sure how to get involved? Schedule an appointment with a member of the Peer Resource Team. They are experts in all things student involvement and can help you find an organization that meets your passions.
Save the Date for K Week 2016 Aug. 19 - 27, 2016 uky.edu/KWeek
Each fall, UK rolls out the "big blue carpet" to welcome new and returning students to campus with K Week. K Week is a week filled with more than 250 events and activities that help students get oriented with campus, get involved in student life and get connected to the city of Lexington. K Week is like a big family reunion and gives students a chance to meet everyone on campus from administrators to coaches to upperclassmen. Known as “the best way to get started at UK,� K Week is a great opportunity to make new friends, explore all that UK has to offer and have a little fun.
Student Activities Board – There’s Always Something Going On uksab.org
Who brings the fun to campus? These guys (and girls)! The Student Activities Board plans more than 100 events at the University of Kentucky annually that enhance the college experience by providing students, other members of the campus and the Lexington community with entertaining, educational or enriching programs that are reflective of contemporary issues and trends.
Majors and Minors seeblue.com/majors
If you haven’t decided on a major (or even if you have), be sure to check out UK’s many undergraduate majors by visiting the Registrar’s website. You'll find all our major program offerings, as well as their requirements.
Career Center
uky.edu/careercenter Visit the Student Career Center website for a welcome message and review our online orientation session.
Pre-College Tips seeblue.com/timeline
Work hard as a senior and be successful as a freshman! Take math and science courses your senior year to keep those skills sharp. Read challenging texts to prepare yourself for intense reading
in college. Consider enrolling in your local community college to enhance your skills in reading, math or writing. Keep up with happenings at UK. Use ACT or SAT prep books or take a class, and retake the test to improve your scores. Did you know that UK continues to accept your best ACT or SAT score even after you’ve been accepted? Studying and improving sub-scores can give you an extra edge. Consider retaking the ACT if your ACT composite score is 24 to 27. Even a one or two point improvement may qualify you for a scholarship. If you have an ACT sub-score below 20 in reading, 19 in math or 18 in English (for SAT 470 in critical reading, 460 in math or 430 in English/writing), you have options. You can retake the ACT or SAT in an effort to raise your sub-score(s). You can also participate in the University of Kentucky Academic Prep Program. Learn more about APP at seeblue.com/ukprep.
Exam Dates
ACT SAT —
—
actstudent.org
sat.collegeboard.org
UK’s ACT Code:
UK’s SAT Code:
1554
1837
Sept. 12, 2015 Oct. 24, 2015 Dec. 12, 2015 Feb. 6, 2016
Oct. 3, 2015 Nov. 7, 2015 Dec. 5, 2015 Jan. 23, 2016
Campus Contacts Academic Scholarships
uky.edu/FinancialAid/Scholarships (859) 257-4198 Application deadline: December 1
*The application for Academic Scholarships is part of your application for admission to the university
Academic Success
uky.edu/AcademicSuccess
APEX – The University’s degree planning system uky.edu/degreeaudit
Campus Visit
uky.edu/Admission/VisitorCenter (859) 257-3595
Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence uky.edu/chellgren 859-257-1958
Disability Resource Center www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/ DisabilityResourceCenter (859) 257-2754
Education Abroad
Office for Institutional Diversity
Undergraduate Research
Financial Aid
Parking and Transportation Services
University Health Services
Student Account Services
Veterans Resource Center
www.uky.edu/educationabroad (859) 257-4067
www.uky.edu/FinancialAid (859) 257-3172 Priority application deadline: February 15 Greek Affairs uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Greek (859) 257 3151
Honors Program
uky.edu/diversity (859) 257-9293
uky.edu/PTS (859) 257-5757
uky.edu/studentaccount (859) 257-3406
uky.edu/Honors (859) 257-3111 Application deadline: December 1
Student Affairs
Housing and Living Learning Program
Student Code of Conduct
James W. Stuckert Career Center
Student Involvement
uky.edu/housing
uky.edu/CareerCenter (859) 257-2746 *Priority registration for Wildcat CareerLink: June 1
uky.edu/StudentAffairs (859) 257-1911
uky.edu/StudentAffairs/code
getinvolved.uky.edu (859) 257-8867
Undergraduate Majors uky.edu/majors
uky.edu/UGResearch (859) 257-0049
ukhealthcare.uky.edu/uhs (859) 323-APPT (2778)
uky.edu/veterans (859) 257-1148 vetcenter@uky.edu