Campus News

UK Helps Kentucky Students Prepare for College

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 14, 2011) — On a recent sunny Saturday, a record 117 high school students from across the state chose to spend the day indoors on the UK campus to focus on their futures.

UK hosted the 2011 College Readiness Workshop on July 9 to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

"Enrollment Management was pleased to host the workshop for high school students," said Don Witt, vice provost for enrollment management. "The fair helps to acclimate students to the goals of going to college, how to best prepare while they're still in high school and how to achieve these goals at the University of Kentucky!"

Students attending the workshop represented high schools in the Lexington and Louisville areas, but many also came from communities as far away as Monticello, Bowing Green, and Newport.

The soon-to-be 10th-to-12th graders learned the best ACT test-taking techniques, discovered strategies for searching for a college or university to attend and how admissions works, and even took part in a "reality store" designed to help them think about financing their college careers.

"I saw many light bulbs go off for these students," said Mike Kimble, assistant director of admissions for recruitment at UK. "I talked to students who told me they now realized they will have to buckle down and work hard in school if they want to get into any institution of higher learning."

The students even had the chance to take a practice ACT test before leaving the UK campus.

"The free ACT practice test offered through the Princeton Review is as close to the actual ACT these students can get," said Kimble.  "It's a great opportunity for students to see where they stand and what they may need to focus on for future testing."

Students weren't the only ones working hard.  Parents also attended separate sessions so they could listen to UK representatives from the offices of Academic Schoalrships, Student Financial Aid, Housing,  Center for Student Involvement, the UK Alumni Association, and the Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services (CARES).

"We wanted to show students and parents that no matter where they decide to attend college, higher education is important," said Kimble. "If they do decide to come to UK, they now know we have the resources available to help them thrive in a family environment."

For more information on admissions at UK, visit www.applyuk.com