University of Kentucky Top Questions

It really depends on the professor. Some of them can be the most amazing academic teachers that I've seen, and some just don't care to try to teach at all. If you can find good professors, the education is quite good. The students are somewhat unmotivated sometimes though. There are definitely some hard workers there, but there are also a lot of students who just don't seem willing to try and do well with their studies.

Depending on the major and college, it can be competitive or otherwise lacking.

Unless the class is in a lecture hall, most professors take the time to get to know each students' name. The amount of time students spend studying usually depends on what their major is and how difficult their classes are. Students are competitive with themselves more than toward other students. The most unique class I've taken was a German fairy tale class. My major is psychology with a business minor.

I always make sure that my professor at least knows my face, by shaking their hand and introducing myself after the first lecture day. My studio professors and architecture professors probably know me the most. (perhaps cause I spend most of my time there haha). I guess I'll try to explain what I've experienced in the College of Design. We study a lot (especially for history), that be said though we probably spend more time working in studio (aproximently 24-40+ hrs a week [just studio]) and it is pretty competitive just because everyone is trying to have the best project in the school, because one of the guest might see it and offer you a great job, not to mention were trying to build portfolios for grad school.

Students are highly competitive to get the top grades, to be mentioned in class for excellent work, and for the never ending scholarship and internship opportunities.

Not every professor knows my name. There are classes of 500 people. But the classes that are 30 or less know my name and know what my work looks like. Some students don't study, and some students study more than 15 hours a week. Honestly, it depends on the major and the student. Some classes the students stay silent in. But the great professors involve the students in discussion, and lead them to carry on the talk outside of class. USP courses are the classes required to graduate. They are not fun, they are large lectures, and they are hard to be motivated for. Cross cultural courses are the worst, the professors are peculiar and the work is not relevant to our studies. The best USP course is Com 101, it is fun and entertaining. Students are highly competitive to get the top grades, to be mentioned in class for excellent work, and for the never ending scholarship and internship opportunities. They are also extremely competitive in our intramural sports and competing clubs. My major is Integrated Strategic Communications (ISC). The major trains student in creative advertising, public relations, direct marketing, and account management. The department prepares the student for the big world. We have portfolios, project examples, and 60 hours of internships. When we graduate the department will always let us know about the newest job opportunities. I love my major, and almost all of the professors.

Academics at UK depend on a wide array or factors. Are you in lower or upper level classes? Is your major in the College of Arts and Sciences of the College of Engineering? Do you participate in class or do you sit in the back with your head down? All of these things have powerful influences. In the beginning, when your are taking COM 105 or SOC 101, the classes are going to be huge. Personally, I liked these auditorium classes because I liked the ambiguity, but it can be a problem if you are struggling with the concepts. But once you reach the upper levels class size really starts to drop, sometimes to as low as 15-20 students. Not to mention, the professors all really know their stuff. I have yet to have had a prof that I would consider 'inept'. And as for time outside of class, are you going to be a Comm major or pre-med. If you chose the latter, you might want to consider forfeiting your social life for the next 4-5 years.

UK academics are very different according to your major and your year in college. If you are taking freshman math classes, it will be huge, you will take your tests using a number, and your homework will be online. Once you get into Calculus 2, its much smaller. If you are taking a class where you write a lot of papers, you may have a teacher's assistant grade them. Chem 105... Well, we can say it seems overwhelming. Until you get into a bit more specific classes, there will be a lot of students and the professor may not know your name. However, all day, every day during the school year, we have "The Study" and "The writing center." These places have volunteer students and teacher's assistants who help you with your papers, your math homework, or your review for cell bio. They will stay with you as long as you need, and won't let you go until you are exhausted or completely prepared. You can go as often as you like, and they are very professional. Any student at Kentucky has no excuse to make a B, because every available resources is there for you. In addition to outside help, every professor sets aside three hours a week that they are required to be in their office, not doing anything except helping students. Sometimes they beg students to stop by. UK is a very accessible school, and they want students to succeed.

Sometimes I think students get nervous because UK is such a big school, but professors are more than willing to get to know you if you make the effort, even in big classes. Sitting in the front of class and going to professors' office hours is an easy way for professors to get to know you on a more personal level.

Academics at UK depend on numerous factors. It is a large university and I have had classes with 300+ students where the professor did not know my name. However, I also have had classes where there are only 20 students and they professor absolutely knows my name. It all depends on your major and the class. Studying is a must and I definitely spend more time studying than I ever did in high school. Accessing professor's office hours is advisable to get to know them as well as learn from them outside of the classroom setting.