A KU student walking across Jayhawk Blvd. with two KU busses behind him.

Planning for a future at KU

Your journey from being an interested student to an official Jayhawk will involve several steps. We’ve laid out some required and recommended steps below to guide you.

Important steps for all students

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This is the best way to receive information on how to prepare for a career at KU and why you should be excited to be a Jayhawk.

A close up view of a student's face with a computer keyboard reflected in her sunglasses.

Visit campus

The best way to find out if KU is the right fit is to join us for an interactive info session, ask questions, and hear what life is like as a Jayhawk. Then take our virtual tour to get a glimpse of the state-of-the-art facilities and historic halls on our hilltop campus.

Tour crossing Jayhawk Boulevard on a fall morning

Talk to your rep

How does your favorite subject translate to our majors? What kind of financial aid will you be eligible for? Talk to the admissions rep assigned to your area.

KU admissions rep Sidney Zavala

Steps for juniors preparing to apply

  • December: Register to take the ACT or SAT

    Register as early as December for a February or April exam — either the ACT (our code is 1470) or SAT (6871 is our code for that).

  • May: Take AP and/or IB exams

    You could receive college credit or higher placement in KU courses based on Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam performance. Take them in May, then send your scores directly to KU.

Steps for seniors ready to apply

  • July 1: Apply to be a Jayhawk

    Our CollegeNet application opens July 1 for first-time freshmen. Students who prefer to apply using the Common App can do so starting Aug. 1.

  • Oct. 1: File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    The FAFSA becomes available online on Oct. 1. You must file this form to be considered for federal loans, grants, work-study, and some state and university aid. To qualify for financial aid with limited funds, file by the Feb. 1 FAFSA priority date. You may still file the FAFSA after the Feb. 1 priority date, but awards may be smaller and notification of those awards may come later. KU’s school code is 001948.

  • Nov. 1: Meet our early action deadline

    Applicants who submit by Nov. 1 can make progress sooner than most students on many of the important elements of coming to KU, including early access to apply to housing and to register for KU Orientation. They can also receive a few exclusive pieces of KU swag like a Jayhawk scarf.

  • Dec. 1: Apply by the priority scholarship deadline

    If you apply by the Dec. 1 priority date and meet KU's scholarship criteria, you are guaranteed an institutional scholarship. Because we award scholarships based on GPA, you’ll need to provide official or unofficial high school transcripts to be considered.

 

Steps for transfer students

  • Oct. 1: File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    The FAFSA becomes available online on Oct. 1. You must file this form to be considered for federal loans, grants, work-study, and some state and university aid. To qualify for financial aid with limited funds, file by the Feb. 1 FAFSA priority date. You may still file the FAFSA after the Feb. 1 priority date, but awards may be smaller and notification of those awards may come later. KU’s school code is 001948. (Kansas students should also note that Feb. 1 is the FAFSA submission deadline for students to be considered for Pell Advantage.)

  • Dec. 1: Meet the spring scholarship deadline

    An application received by Dec. 1 will put you in consideration for KU’s institutional scholarships. You can meet this deadline with self-reported grades, which can be officially verified later by your transcripts.

  • Jan. 14: Meet the spring semester application deadline