UK enrolled 77 National Merit Scholars in the fall 1995 semester, placing UK in the top 10 among America's public universities.
UK ranks eighth of public institutions nationwide, and 20 among all college and universities in the U.S. Texas had the most Merit Scholars in the nation with 221.
Among the benchmark institutions, schools that UK compares itself to, UK ranked second in National Merit Scholars. Ohio State University ranked first among benchmarks with 91 Merit Scholars.
UK also ranked second in Southeastern Conference schools, Florida with 129 was first.
UK enrolled more Merit Scholars than all other Kentucky private and public institutions combined. The University of Louisville had 11.
To qualify as a National Merit Scholar, students have to score in the top 98th percentile of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude test that students take in their junior year of high school. Joseph Fink, director of admissions, said the ranking means students can be assured that classroom discussions will be stimulating.
because of the high level of students enrolled.