1. How do I
request an application?
You can either apply online or download and print
application materials from the Graduate School Admission Web page. We
suggest that before doing so, you visit the Web site of the program to which you
intend to apply to be certain you meet all of their requirements, and that they
meet all of yours. See the list of Graduate Degree Programs.
2. How do I get a
Graduate School Bulletin?
Most of the information you need can be found
on the Graduate School Web site, including the Bulletin
itself.
3. How can I get
additional information about graduate degree programs?
Links to the Web
sites of all of our graduate degree programs can be found at Graduate Degree Programs.
4. What is the
deadline for applying for a particular semester?
Domestic
applications must be received no later than one month prior to the start of
the term the applicant intends to begin graduate work.
International applications must be received by the Graduate School by the following deadlines:
Fall Semester: February 1
Spring
Semester: June 15
Summer Semester: Admission only with special permission of
the Dean
All application materials (including all transcripts and official scores) must be received by this deadline. Individual programs may have earlier deadlines for admission and financial assistance. See Application Receipt Dates.
5. Is it okay if
I have my transcripts and test scores sent to you before I fill out the
application?
You can do this, but it is not in your best interest.
Without an application to tell us who you are and what program you are applying
to, your transcripts, etc., go into a general holding file. If you cannot send
all of your materials at once, it is best to send your application form
first.
Be sure to have the registrars at your previous institutions send transcripts directly to the Graduate School.
6. What about the GRE?
7. What are the
TOEFL, GRE and GMAT requirements?
The University of Kentucky requires a
minimum TOEFL score of 213 computer-based (550 paper-based) for all
international students whose first language is not English. Some programs may
require a higher TOEFL score. International students who receive college degrees
from US universities and universities in other designated English-speaking
countries may be exempted from taking the TOEFL test.
All applicants for admission to degree programs in the Graduate School must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions of the GRE. Business Administration requires the GMAT for MBA, Ph.D., and Accounting students. Applicants to Public Administration, Health Administration, and Public Health may substitute the GMAT for the GRE. Students who have earned an academic doctorate are exempt from the requirement of the GRE.
The Graduate School does not have a minimum GRE or GMAT score requirement for admission, however some programs do. For further information, see your program's information at Graduate Degree Programs, or contact the Director of Graduate Studies for the program to which you are applying.
All scores must be sent directly to the Graduate School by the Educational Testing Service. Applicants who need more information on the GRE or GMAT should contact the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541.
8. What are the TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT test dates?9. Are GREs given
at the University of Kentucky?
No. However, you can register on the GRE Web site to take the GRE in Lexington.
The
Lexington testing center is:
Thompson Prometric Testing Center
2573 Richmond Road,Suite 260
Lexington, Kentucky 40509
Phone:
(859)268-3338
Consult the GRE Bulletin or the GRE Web site for more information.
10. How long
will it take to process my application?
Once the Graduate School has
received your application, your application fee, and your bachelor's degree
transcripts, your application will be processed and forwarded to the appropriate
academic program. This can take 1 to 10 working days, depending on volume. Each
degree program may handle admissions a little differently. Some programs admit
students as they go, until all openings are filled. Some admit by a committee
that meets only once per term, and only applications that are complete when the
committee meets are considered. Some programs hold applications and process them
all at one time, after a certain date. In any case, it is a good idea to apply
and submit all materials as early as possible.
11. How do I
know what is missing from my application?
Once the processing of your
application has begun, after receipt of your application fee, you will be
notified that we have received your application. You can monitor your
application via the Check Application Status link on the Admission Web page.
If you have questions or concerns about your application information, you should
contact your admissions
officer.
In order to verify that your biographical statement, letters of reference, or any other supporting materials have been received, you must contact the Director of Graduate Studies for your programs.
12. How can I find out the status of my application?14. Who will
tell me if I have been rejected and why was I rejected?
The Graduate
School will notify you if you have been rejected. The most common reasons for
rejection are undergraduate academic performance and test scores that are not
competitive with other applicants. Other reasons are TOEFL scores below the
minimum, a poor fit between the student's research interests or career goals and
the graduate program, lack of space in the program for additional students, and
no financial aid for an applicant who says he/she cannot come without
financial support.
15. How do I
reapply if I have been rejected? How do I reapply if I did not enroll?
The Graduate School will hold all applications for one year. If you wish to
be reconsidered/considered for a different program, send e-mail or write to your
admissions
officer. If you were rejected, you should supply any additional information
you can to strengthen your application. If the program wishes to
consider/reconsider your application, they will ask us to reactivate your file.
You do not have to pay a second application fee if it has been one year or less
since your first application. If, however, you are applying to a different
program, it is your responsibility to provide new transcripts and
supporting application materials to them.
16. Why can't
you tell me my test scores, whether I have been admitted, why I was
rejected, etc. over the phone?
According to the rights of privacy
specified by the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, we cannot
divulge confidential information over the phone because we cannot verify
the identity of the caller.
17. How do I get
an I-20 (international students only)?
Once you have been admitted and
the Graduate School receives all the materials it needs, the I-20 form will be
prepared and issued, and sent directly to you via US airmail. We do not give the
I-20 form to third parties for delivery. We do not send materials via courier
service. You must take the I-20 form to your local US embassy with other
supporting documents in order to be issued an F-1 or other visa. When you enter
the US on our I-20, all others will be automatically canceled. For more details,
go to Office Of
International Affairs.
18. Can I get a
copy of my transcript from XXX University that I sent you when I
applied?
No. Applications and transcripts become property of the Graduate
School. We are not able to honor requests for transcript copies. Students should
contact the institution that issued the transcript for additional copies.
19. How do I pay
for my graduate education?
The three principal mechanisms for funding a
graduate education are assistantships, fellowships, and student loans.
Assistantships are an important source of financial support for graduate students. In addition to providing an opportunity for graduate students to perform specific teaching or research duties, full assistantships carry a biweekly stipend, a tuition scholarship, and student health insurance. The majority of assistantships are awarded for the academic year, which begins in August. Students wishing to be considered for assistantships are urged to contact the Director of Graduate Studies for your program no later than January 15 for the next academic year. For more information, go to Assistantships.
Fellowships are non-service awards made to superior students who are pursuing a graduate degree. The University of Kentucky offers over 500 fellowships in all areas of graduate work. The majority of fellowships carry a monthly stipend, a tuition scholarship, and student health insurance. Students wishing to be considered for fellowships should contact the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies no later than January 15 for the next academic year. For more information about fellowships, go to Fellowships.
US citizens and eligible non-citizens may apply for federally supported loans and work-study assistance. To be considered, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Printed copies of the Application are also available in the UK Student Financial Aid Office, 128 Funkhouser Building.
Additionally, UK's Student and Temporary Employment Service (STEPS) has job opportunities year-round that can be designed to fit student schedules.
20. Why should I
apply for external fellowships and where can I get information about
them?
Applying for external fellowships is worth the effort. First, it is
an excellent way to fund a graduate education; typically external fellowships
offer a generous monthly stipend, as well as other benefits. Second, being
awarded an external fellowship is an asset to a professional career. And third,
the experience students gain from writing fellowship applications serves to help
think extensively about study and research goals, and increase skills in writing
proposals. For more information, go to External
Graduate Fellowships and Research Opportunities or Community of Science.
Additionally, students who are awarded external competitive fellowships might be eligible for UK's Graduate Student Incentive Program (GSIP), which provides an additional five percent annual stipend for the term of the external competitive fellowship.
21. Is
there a place on campus where I can get information about grants and writing
grant proposals?
Yes. The Office of Sponsored
Program Development can provide this information.
22. Is student
health insurance available at the University of Kentucky?
Yes. The
university has a student insurance plan that provides benefits for sickness and
injury. The plan is underwritten by the MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company.
Read the plan description carefully to fully understand the benefits offered
with this plan. For more information, domestic students may go to Student Insurance
Information.
23. Are there
times when the University will pay for my student health insurance?
Yes.
As a graduate student, if you are enrolled in the Graduate School,
degree-seeking, and have a full-time teaching, research, or graduate
assistantship, an institutional fellowship, or a full-time combination of these
positions, the University will pay for your health insurance premium.
"Full-time" generally means an assignment of 20 hours a week or a fellowship of
$9000 or more. For more information, funded graduate students may go to Health Insurance
Coverage for Funded Graduate Students.
24. Are there
students for whom student health insurance is mandatory?
Yes. The
University requires all international students to have health insurance. If you
are on an "F" or "J" visa, you are automatically enrolled in the student
insurance plan when you register for classes. The charge for this insurance is
applied directly to your student bill. For more information, international
students may go to Health Insurance
for International Students.
25. Does the
University provide funding for graduate students to engage in research and
professional travel?
Yes. The Graduate School offers both travel and
research funding for graduate students. Student Support provides up to $400 per
year for expenses related to thesis or dissertation research or for travel to
present research at professional conferences. Commonwealth Research Awards
provide up to $1,000 for graduate students to present research findings at
professional, scholarly conferences. Dissertation Enhancement Awards of up to
$3,000 are available for graduate students who are actively engaged in
dissertation research that requires the research to be conducted at a site
distant from campus. These activities may include archival research in the
United States or abroad, laboratory experience to learn new research techniques,
opportunities to use unique equipment, and field experiences. For more
information about these awards, go to Support
Funding.
Direct questions
to grad.webmaster@email.uky.edu
Last
updated November 1, 2005