The University of Kentucky (UK), located in Lexington, is a leading public research university that has more than 70 nationally ranked academic programs. Top ranking programs include, among others:

• College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Program College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Hispanic Studies
• College of Communications and Information Studies, Department of Communication College of Medicine, Anatomy Program
• College of Agriculture, Plant Pathology Program
• College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences doctoral program
• Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, Public Finance and Budgeting Program 

The UK offers more than 200 academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels in 16 colleges and professional schools. It has an acclaimed faculty, all committed to teaching and contributing to the community through service, outreach programs and research. The university also offers workforce training programs and distance learning through online courses.

History

The University of Kentucky was founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution.

Academics

The academic calendar of the University of Kentucky follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters. There is also a short, Winter Intersession, and two Summer Sessions of four and eight weeks. The College of Dentistry, College of Law and College of Medicine each have their own academic calendars, which are posted on the uky.edu website.

Colleges and Schools

The academic colleges and schools of the University of Kentucky are:

• College of Agriculture
• School of Human Environmental Sciences
• College of Architecture (Now College of Design)
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Gatton College of Business and Economics
• College of Communications and Information Studies
• College of Design (formerly College of Architecture)
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Fine Arts
• College of Health Sciences
• School of Human Environmental Sciences
• College of Nursing
• College of Social Work
• Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce

The professional and graduate schools of the University of Kentucky are:

• College of Dentistry
• College of Law
• College of Medicine
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Public Health
• Multidisciplinary Graduate Degree Programs
• The Graduate School

Student Life

The UK offers more than 340 student clubs and organizations available for involvement. The campus has several residence halls with spacious common areas and wireless Internet access in most areas. There is also a fitness center, a rock climbing wall and many sports courts available for use.

Other amenities and opportunities for involvement include the Student Center, the Writing Center, the Hub, concerts, the campus radio station and downtown Lexington just steps away.

Traditions

The official colors of the University of Kentucky are blue and white, chosen as the school colors in 1892.

The nickname for the UK athletic teams is "Wildcats," which started in 1909 at a football game where the team "fought like Wildcats." The school's mascot is a Wildcat, who entertains fans at athletic events and also attends academic functions and the UK ambassador.

Athletics

The UK "Wildcats" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Rifle
• Soccer
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Rifle
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Community Life

Kentucky is considered the "horse capital of the world" and Lexington has many horse farms in the vicinity that offer tours. Lexington is known for its small town feel, and is considered one of the best American cities to live in. Yet there are also big city perks, such as numerous restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, plenty of arts and culture - all within a few blocks of the University of Kentucky campus.

Community engagement is a significant part of the UK mission, and the university has many community outreach programs. It has an agricultural extension service in every county in Kentucky to help with farming, financial planning, and more.

The UK's Coldstream Research Park in Lexington is helping start-up high-tech and health-care companies in the community. The College of Dentistry's mobile dental vans bring dental care to thousands of local children. UK researchers are conducting scientific studies in projects ranging from water quality and energy production to breast cancer and other diseases.

University of Louisville (U of L) is a research university located in Louisville, Kentucky. The university is comprised of three campuses in the Louisville metropolitan area. The U of L Belknap Campus, just a few miles from downtown Louisville, houses seven schools and colleges. Located in downtown Louisville is the Health Sciences Center, which houses the university's health-related programs and the University of Louisville Hospital. The Shelby Campus is located in eastern Jefferson County.

University of Louisville offers degrees at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional levels. It has more than 170 fields of study in its 12 schools and colleges. It also offers a post-baccalaureate Pre-med Certificate Program, and many Study Abroad programs.

History

University of Louisville was conceived in 1798 as the Jefferson Seminary in Louisville, and opened in 1813. By 1829 it had closed. In 1837, the Louisville Medical Institute (LMI) and the Louisville Collegiate Institute (LCI) opened. In 1840, LCI changed its name to Louisville College, and later inherited the estate of the Jefferson Seminary that was designated for higher education in Louisville. While LMI thrived, LCI did not. In 1846, the medical school and college were combined with a newly created law school to form the University of Louisville. The college did not survive this change, while the other two divisions prospered.

In 1907, the liberal arts college was revived and added new programs that included the Graduate School, Speed Scientific School, University College, School of Music, and others. A full-time faculty and administrative staff were appointed before the onset of World War I.

After World War II, there was an effort to desegregate the local colleges and the university. Desegregation was achieved from 1950 to 1951. In 1970, the university joined the state system of higher education for financial survival.

Academics

The academic calendar for the University of Louisville follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters. The summer semester is broken into several terms, as follows: Term I, Term II, Ten-week Term, Term III

Colleges and Schools

The colleges and schools of the University of Louisville are:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Business
• School of Dentistry
• College of Education & Human Development
• School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies
• Kent School of Social Work
• Brandeis School of Law
• School of Medicine
• School of Music
• School of Nursing
• School of Public Health & Information Sciences
• Speed School of Engineering

Within each school or college at UoL are different divisions, centers and departments.

Student Life

U of L is a social campus, with a Student Activities Center, Student Affairs Office, Student Government office, a full Student Events Calendar, 28 Greek organizations, and more than 300 student clubs and organizations.

On campus housing is available, along with a wide variety of dining options. The student newspaper, The Louisville Cardinal, keeps students informed of news, events and activities on campus. The "Cardinal Card" is every students ID card and discount card, granting access to campus health services, on and off campus student services and activities.

Traditions

The traditional school colors for the University of Louisville are red and white, with black as an accent color. The school mascot is the cardinal, and the athletic teams are nicknamed the U of L "Cardinals."

Fight! U of L - by R.B. Griffith

Fight now for victory and show them
How we sure will win this game
Fight on you Card'nals and prove to them
That we deserve our fame.
Rah, Rah, Rah!
Roll up the score now and beat the foe
So we can give a yell
With a FIGHT! give them all you've got
For we are with you U of L.

All Hail U of L - by Alan Greener

All hail to thee our U of L
As we stand up for her fame.
All hail to thee our U of L
As we fight to win this game.
Sing praises for a victory,
We wish our heroes well.
All hail the Cardinal Spirit.
All hail our U of L!
GO CARDS!

Athletics

The U of L's athletics teams have won two NCAA Division I championships, and many of its athletic programs have received top ranking. The U of L's "Cardinals" compete in numerous intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Satellite Campuses

The University of Louisville has three campuses:

• Belknap Campus, with seven of its 11 colleges and schools
• The Health Sciences Center, with all health programs and the University of Louisville Hospital
• Shelby Campus, in Eastern Jefferson County

Community Life

The city of Louisville has long been known as a hotbed for arts and culture. It is home to the Actors Theatre of Louisville, which has introduced many renowned new plays through the years that resulted in many prestigious awards. Other cultural attractions in the community include the Center for Performing Arts, Frazier International History Museum, Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Science Center, Louisville Slugger Museum, and the Muhammad Ali Center, among others.

Historical attractions in Louisville include two important vessels that have become National Historic Landmarks: The Riverboat Spirit of Jefferson, and the Steamer Belle of Louisville. Both boats are at Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville.

The U of L has many community partnerships that benefit the school and the region, including:

• University Partnerships for Urban Development
• Urban Studies Institute
• Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center
• Kentucky Population Research/State Data Center
• Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods
• Kentucky Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development

Murray State University is a public college that has a fair number of degree programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Murray, KY, in a predominantly rural area. Approximately nine thousand students enroll at Murray State University annually.

Students may choose from several areas of study, including:

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Education
• Business And Marketing Studies
• Health And Clinical Professions
• Agriculture Operations

To be considered for admissions, you may be required to complete an application, provide letters of recommendations, and submit test scores or other school records, which are then reviewed by the admissions staff. The majority of students accepted to Murray State University have an SAT score in a range of 1338 - 1700, or an ACT composite score within the range of 19 - 25. This school has an admissions rate of around 81% of which only 42% chose to attend. More information on admissions can be found here.

The tuition at this school varies based on the state of residence of the student. In-state residents pay approximately $7,200 per year and out-of-state residents are charged $20,000 per year. Housing is available on-campus for students. The annual cost of housing is around $4,400. Financial aid may be offered to students that meet the required requirements by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The mascot for MSU is the "Racers", and they participate in intercollegiate athletics through the oversight and organization of the NCAA. Available athletic programs offered may include but not limited to:

• Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Football (NCAA Division I-AA)

Students who would like to see more about MSU may visit their website at http://www.murraystate.edu.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is situated on a hilltop campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is a public research university with top research faculty and many nationally recognized academic programs. Some of the top WKU programs include journalism, business, education, broadcasting and engineering.

WKU, which is comprised of four campuses and Study Abroad/overseas programs, is the fastest growing university in Kentucky. High school juniors and seniors who are high achievers can enroll in the Gatton Academy for Mathematics and Sciences at WKU.

WKU has more than 170 academic study areas at the undergraduate and pre-professional levels. WKU offers associate degrees, certificates, and bachelor's degrees. There are 50 graduate programs to choose from.

WKU offers flexible programs through its University College, which are suited to non-traditional students such as working adults or those seeking lifelong learning. Flexible classes are offered at locations across the mid-state area.

History

Western Kentucky University was established in 1906 as one of two teacher training institutions - the Western Kentucky State Normal School in Bowling Green. Classes commenced in 1907. Eventually this state-supported school took over the Southern Normal School, and its owner, Henry cherry, became WKU's first president.  

In 1911, the school moved to the Hill, which is the present site of its main campus. The curricula continued to focus on teacher training for 10 years. The school was approved to grant four-year degrees, and in 1922, was approved to grant four-year degrees.

In 1927, Western merged with Ogden College. In 1930, Western's name was changed to Western Kentucky State Teachers College. In 1931, the first master's degree was offered.

The curriculum began to broaden beyond teacher training, and the name was changed to Western Kentucky State College in 1948.

In 1963, Western merged with the Bowling Green College of Commerce, which became a separate college within Western's structure. The Graduate School at Western also had separate status. In 1965, three more colleges formed:  the College of Education, the Ogden College of Science and Technology, and the Potter College of Liberal Arts. In 1966, the name was changed to Western Kentucky University.

Academics

The academic calendar for Western Kentucky University follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters. WKU also offers a Winter Term in the month of January. Its summer semester is divided into two sessions in June, and two sessions in July.

Colleges and Schools

• College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
• College of Health and Human Services
• Gordon Ford College of Business
• Ogden College of Science and Engineering
• Potter College of Arts & Letters
• University College
• Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
• Honors College

Student Life

Students at Western Kentucky University enjoy a wide range of student services, including:

• Academic Support Services
• Advising
• Library
• Testing
• Tutoring
• Campus Safety
• Campus Security
• WKU Store
• Career Services
• Counseling Services
• Disabilities Services
• Health Services
• Veterans Affairs
• Community Links
• Study Abroad 

Students at WKU are encouraged to join one of the many student clubs and organizations that are available for participation. Students may also log onto the WKU-O Blog to find out more about student clubs and activities on campus. There is a Dynamic Leadership Institute (DLI) on campus that teaches students interpersonal skills and the knowledge they will need to engage in leadership activities on campus.

On campus housing is available in one of the WKU Residence Halls, and there is a range of dining options available.

Traditions

The traditional school colors of Western Kentucky University are red, black and white. The athletic teams are called the WKU "Hilltoppers" or the WKU "Lady Toppers" for the women's teams. The mascot for WKU is "Big Red," a large, red, furry creature that was designed by a WKU student in 1979. Big Red represents the Spirit of Western.

There is a tradition of the "Red Towel at WKU, which began with the late basketball coach, E.A. Diddle. Coach Diddle used to clutch and wave a red towel throughout all Hilltopper basketball games. Now the Red Towel has become synonymous with outstanding basketball, and fans at WKU sporting events will wave red-colored towels in the air as they cheer for "Big Red."

Athletics

The Western Kentucky University "Hilltoppers" and "Lady Toppers" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross country
• Football
• Golf
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Satellite Campuses

The campuses of Western Kentucky University include its main campus at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and satellite campuses at:

• Glasgow
• Owensboro
• Elizabethtown 

WKU also sends students each term to Harlaxton College in Grantham, England.

Community Life

WKU has outreach programs that allow students and faculty to interface with community business and industry, local organizations and more. The Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) offers both credit and non-credit classes to students of all ages. DELO partners with local businesses to plan special events, provide customized training, and develop degree programs that meet the needs of the organization.

The ALIVE Center for Community Partnerships brings campus and community together to enrich both higher education and public life. ALIVE CCP facilitates collaborative efforts that address local, regional, and global needs while also enhancing the level of student learning and educational experience.

Morehead State University, a public institution, offers a variety of degree programs, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Morehead, KY, the campus offers a rural setting for students to study in. Approximately eight thousand students enroll at MSU per year. Students can pick from many areas of study, including:

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Education
• Public Administration And Social Services
• Health And Clinical Professions

Students applying for admission are most often required to submit an application, school records, standardized test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions committee. The most common standardized test scores among applicants accepted to this school are between 19 - 24 on the ACT, or 940 - 1140 on the SAT. Approximately 90% of all students that applied were accepted at this school, with 54% of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information regarding admissions can be found here. The cost of undergraduate tuition varies for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state residents pay nearly $7,600 and out-of-state residents pay $19,000 for the year. Some students at Morehead State University may be eligible for financial aid, which is generally provided as grants or student loans. The MSU "Eagles" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs available include:

• Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Football (NCAA Division I-AA)

Students who would like to learn more about Morehead State University can take a look at their website at moreheadstate.edu.

About
Northern Kentucky University, located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, was founded in 1948 as a branch campus of the University of Kentucky. Originally known as the UK Northern Extension Center, the campus became independent in 1968 and became known as Northern Kentucky State College. Two years later the school was merged with Salmon P. Chase College of Law, a private school in Cincinnati, after which the school found a new location in Highland Heights, awarding its first bachelor's degree one year later (1973), followed by a name change to Northern Kentucky University in 1976. Since the school's founding and quick transformation to university, the school has sought to modernize and expand, resulting a large number of projects over the school's history, and well into current times, to be on the cutting edge of development, updating and renovating as necessary to keep facilities on campus current and relevant for the modern student.

Academics
NKU offers a large number of programs, both undergraduate and graduate, to meet student needs and demands. The large number of programs ensures that students will be able to pursue their academic and professional goals. Undergraduate majors, typically taking four years to complete, will have a mixture of general education courses along side lower and upper division courses related to their major. A major may be augmented through a number of minor degrees, or otherwise assist students in exploring interests outside of their area of focus. The school offers resources for study, including an extensive library for research, laboratories and computer centers.Graduate level programs require separate admissions with different criteria, including having earned the necessary prerequisite degree and the appropriate GRE or LSAT (for the law program) score.

Programs offered at UALR include:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Finance
• History
• Nursing

Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at Northern Kentucky University may submit an application for admission, as well as provide transcripts and standardized test scores. The supplied material will be reviewed and a decision rendered based on school admissions criteria, taking into consideration any issues or extenuating circumstance when forming a final answer. Students will be notified shortly after the decision is made, with admitted students receiving additional information on how to begin their college career.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs available at the federal and state levels. Students in need of assistance must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the financial aid deadline. Once submitted, the resulting student aid report (SAR) will be used by the financial aid to determine need, eligibility and awards, and use the information to forma  financial aid packet that best serves the student's needs.Students may be chosen at random to provide additional information to verify the accuracy of the FAFSA and SAR due to new federal regulations regarding financial aid. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year, this is due to changing financial circumstances for students and families from year to year requiring adjustments in aid offerings.

Athletics
The NKU Norse participate in a number of intercollegiate athletic activities and programs through the NCAA Atlantic Sun Conference. Athletic programs allow students to develop skills and responsibilities that may be useful in one's personal, academic and professional life. These include, discipline, teamwork, leadership good health, and time management among others. Students will take part in the camaraderie that develops between teammates that experience the same successes and failures in pursuit of a common goal. Students participating in athletic programs will have to maintain a schedule that allows for both academic and athletic development, including scheduling hours for training as well as meeting the standards of excellence of the school regarding academic progress.

Athletic programs offered at UALR:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Softball
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Diving
• Cross Country
• Track and Field
• Tennis
• Volleyball

Eastern Kentucky University provides a variety of degree programs for students to guide them in their growth and development. The school is located in Richmond, Kentucky and publically funded. Enrollment at EKU is nearly 17,000 yearly.

Here is a list of some of the popular programs EKU offers:

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Education
• Health And Clinical Professions
• Security And Protective Services
• Psychology

To be considered for admissions, students may be required to complete an application, provide letters of recommendations, and submit school records, which are then studied by admissions staff. An ACT or SAT exam may be required prior to applying, with scores between 1280 to 1620 on the SAT and within the range of 18 to 23 for the ACT exam is common among students admitted to this school. This school admits about 60% of applicants. Of those students accepted, nearly 45% of students enrolled. More information regarding admissions can be found here.

The tuition at EKU varies based on the state of residence of the student. In-state residents pay nearly $7,700 per year and out-of-state residents are charged $21,000 annually. The cost of on-campus housing is about $4,100 per year. Students enrolled at this school may qualify for aid which is usually loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs.

The mascot for EKU is the "Colonels", and they participate in intercollegiate athletics through the NCAA. Available athletic programs offered may include but not limited to:

• Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
• Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)

Students who would like to see more about EKU may check out their website at http://www.eku.edu.

Kentucky State University is a public historically black institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky. Most historically black colleges and universities (also known as HBCUs) were founded after the civil war to provide newly freed African Americans with educational opportunities. As a land grant institution this school is one of the larger public institutions in the state of Kentucky. Approximately two thousand students are enrolled per year at Kentucky State University.

A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

• Liberal Arts And Sciences
• Health And Clinical Professions
• Business And Marketing Studies
• Psychology
• Security And Protective Services
• Education

Students applying for admission are required to submit an application, transcripts, records, test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the admissions committee. Students may submit either the SAT or ACT exam scores to be considered for admissions at KY State. A score between 1120 to 1390 on the SAT, or 16 to 20 for the ACT is common among accepted students. An estimated 30% of all students that applied were accepted at Kentucky State University, with 19% of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found at kysu.edu.

Tuition & fees at this school are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs close to $6,400 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $14,000 for the year. Housing may be available for students who wish to live on-campus for a cost of $3,600 each year. KY State may help with costs by offering financial aid for students that are eligible as grants and loans.

The KY State "Thorobreds" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs available include:

• Baseball (NCAA Division II)
• Basketball (NCAA Division II)
• Track & Field (NCAA Division II)
• Football (NCAA Division II)

Students who would like to learn more about Kentucky State University may take a look at their website at http://www.kysu.edu.