Campus News

Big Blue Open House Events Encourage Prospective Students to Explore What’s Wildly Possible

Big Blue Open Houses provide an extensive tour of UK.
Photo of Big Blue Open House tour for students.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2019)  Now is the time to explore what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky for prospective students across the country. That’s why UK is opening its doors and rolling out the Big Blue carpet to welcome students and their families to campus through an event series — Big Blue Open Houses (BBOH).

The Division of Enrollment Management, along with colleges, units and programs across campus, will host Big Blue Open Houses throughout the fall semester to showcase all UK has to offer.

"Big Blue Open Houses are held on campus and include campus tours and meetings with individual colleges," Scott McDonald, dean of undergraduate admission, said.

Historically, the fall has been a busy time for campus visits at UK, with the Visitor Center hosting upward of 28 sessions during peak weeks. BBOH are an additional opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit campus and experience firsthand UK's supportive, encouraging and spirited community.

The open houses are also great opportunities for the school-aged children of UK faculty and staff to visit campus. While many are familiar with campus, making an official visit with daily overviews and tours or attending a BBOH can really open one’s eyes to what the university has to offer.

At BBOH, students will interact one-on-one with current students, faculty and staff; have the opportunity to see what it is really like to be a Wildcat; and explore campus in the heart of Lexington. Students can expect to learn about the the wide variety of academic possibilities available at UK, and what high-impact learning experiences and student organizations and activities they can pursue to enhance their college career. In short, students can learn how UK can help them be the future leaders of tomorrow.

“Our goal is for students to leave our Big Blue Open House events knowing what makes UK such a special place and empowered to make an informed decision about applying to the university,” McDonald said.

Currently two BBOH events are remaining for the fall; to register, visit the UK Undergraduate Admission's page. All high school students and those interested in transferring to UK are welcome to attend. Space is limited — register today!

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

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