For the last three years, UK has ranked in the top 10 among public universities in the number of freshman National Merit Scholars.Sandy Copher, director of the UK Merit Scholarship Office, said she expects the University to maintain this position.
"Considering the intense competition among many universities trying to recruit these top-notch students, I am delighted we have been able to consistently attract them to the University of Kentucky," UK President Charles T. Wethington said.
Fifty-eight of the scholars this fall are from Kentucky.
"We concentrate on making contact with all in-state National Merit and National Achievement Scholars," Copher said.
"Our philosophy is to make sure these academically talented students are aware of what the University of Kentucky has to offer."
National Achievement Scholars are awarded by the National Merit Scholars Corporation in recognition of outstanding achievement by minority students.
UK has developed a new recruitment program targeted at National Merit and National Achievement Scholars.
According to Randy Mills, senior associate director of admissions, the recruitment effort is university-wide with an emphasis on the personal touch.
Among the many personal contacts made, scholars receive a letter from the president, as well as invitations to numerous on-campus recruitment events.
They also are invited for overnight visits to the campus, providing them with opportunities to sit in on a class, talk to UK professors and meet current students.
"We believe the success we have had attracting these scholars drives further success.
These excellent students, who may not have considered us before, are now not only looking at the University of Kentucky, but also choosing us," Mills said.
"These students are finding that UK is a high quality institution with a challenging curriculum."
Students must score in the top 0.5 percent of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) to be eligible for National Merit Scholarships.
The PSAT is taken during the junior year of high school. School grades, SAT scores and letters recommendations are considered when awarding final scholarships.
Most students who take the SAT plan to attend college out-of-state.
The number of ou-of-state students who opted to attend UK has steadily increased.
In 1989, only one National Merit Scholar attended UK from out-of-state.
This year, 15 incoming freshman are from states other than Kentucky.