It begins with our students: Welcoming the class of 2027

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 1, 2023) — The University of Kentucky is home to a powerful community united by a common cause — advancing Kentucky. That cause starts with its students. 

As we begin the countdown to a new semester, we end another season of Big Blue Nation Orientation (BBNO). BBNO is a rite of passage for all Wildcats. It is the first step in their transition to enrolling as a student at the university and the first step in discovering a smarter path toward a future that inspires and advances. 

More than 4,600 first-time freshmen and 550 transfer students, from nearly all 50 states and military bases around the world, reported to the Bluegrass state for this summer’s student orientation — a record for the university. These programs are in addition to the Merit Day orientations in March and other earlier orientations that welcomed hundreds of new students ahead of their start this fall. 

“Big Blue Nation Orientation is an instrumental first step in a student’s transition to the University of Kentucky,” Director of Orientation and Outreach Taylor Blair said. “Our newest Wildcats — and many returning students — thanks to incredible leadership by orientation colleague McKaylee Copher and extensive collaboration with hundreds of campus partners, are introduced to the offices and programs that will be here to support them. They meet the dedicated staff and faculty who will provide them opportunities to do all the things they wish to accomplish as a Wildcat, as well as all the things they haven’t yet dreamed possible.”

Jordan Allen, an Orlando, Florida native, is one of those new Wildcats. 

Allen's orientation day began in the wee hours of the morning. As she headed to campus for the first time since her initial visit, she was filled with nerves, like many freshmen embarking on this journey. But by late afternoon, after she had registered for her first semester of classes and got to know the people around her, a sense of calmness had come over her and her nerves turned to excitement. She knew she was prepared for the journey ahead. 

“I was absolutely overwhelmed going into orientation,” said Allen. “It is a completely different atmosphere and different people. But once we split into our small groups with our Big Blue Crew leader, I felt more and more confident and comfortable as the day went on.”

At BBNO, Allen met lots of other new Wildcats and her academic advisor, got familiar with campus and also learned about UK's academics, support programs and resources, and discovered UK’s vast variety of student organizations. 

“Since I am coming from a different state, it is going to be a huge adjustment for me,” said Allen. “I plan to get involved in anything that interests me to meet new people, find my path and make the most of my experience at the University of Kentucky.”

Colleges and universities face a markedly different landscape today than they did 10 years ago, as enrollment challenges and financial strain are testing higher education. However, UK continues to grow. 

UK is expecting a record first-year class which underscores the commitment of the university to educate more Kentuckians and other young people, igniting their passions and empowering them to reach their boundless potentials. Most importantly, the numbers reflect the unwavering commitment the university has to meeting the needs of the Commonwealth — in research, service in every county of the state and preparing students to not only create a skilled workforce, but a new and stronger Kentucky.

Over the years, BBNO has transformed to accommodate UK’s growing classes to ensure incoming students feel prepared for their transition into higher education. This year, 10 offices in the UK Office for Student Success hosted sessions at each freshman orientation, more than 30 campus partners tabled during every resource fair and hundreds of academic advisors invested their time to help students understand where a schedule of classes fits into their academic and career goals. 

“The common thread I see running through our BBN Orientations is that our community is dedicated to the success and well-being of this incoming class,” said Blair. “My hope for this year’s class is that they know those teams — and countless others they’ll meet during K Week — are here to help them beyond their BBN Orientation.”

Students like Allen come to the University of Kentucky because they want to make something. And because they want to make something happen. Something that makes lives better, communities healthier and creates change. It’s something that can happen only when you’ve got the strength of an R1 research institution behind you, the prowess of a top-ranked medical center and the skills and knowledge gained from a world-class UK education. 

With more than 200 majors and programs spread across 16 degree-granting colleges, 550 student organizations and $3.7 billion invested in infrastructure across campus, it is undeniable that UK is the university of and for Kentucky. As we break barriers and grow as an institution, we remain focused on the mission that has guided our path for nearly 160 years: to advance Kentucky in all that we do.

To learn more about how the university supports its students, visit the Student Success website. To learn more about the universities mission, click here. 

The UK application for undergraduate admission for Fall 2024 is now open. You can apply now and be among the first students considered for UK’s Class of 2028. Apply online at applyuk.com using the UK application or the Common App.