LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things for high school seniors and that includes preparing to start college. That process looks a lot different now, but officials at the University of Kentucky say that hasn’t slowed down applications for fall semester.
One big change is if future students want to see campus, they have to go online.
”We already have an online tour, but we were able to, with the help of our marketing and communications team, film some other parts of campus and create more interactive type videos for students of around the campus,” Dean of Undergraduate Admission Scott McDonald said.
McDonald says UK is also working on hosting a live campus tour this summer that people can join in on, possibly through Zoom. Students can also set up virtual one-on-one sessions with the different colleges and admission counselors.
There’s even the Mighty app, which connects future students with each other.
”Maybe possibly find a roommate, talk about different things on campus,” said McDonald.
McDonald says another change the university made during the pandemic was extending the application deadline. It was originally February 15, but potential students can still apply now.
”We’re seeing a lot of families and students looking at their financial situation at the moment to see if they can afford to attend college," McDonald said. "We’re trying to work with those students and families the best that we can."
Despite the concerns, McDonald says UK has already received 23,000 applications for fall semester, which is up a bit from previous years. The university hopes they can reach a positive turning point for all students, new and returning, by the time classes start up.
