All applications for admission are made directly to The Graduate School. Current information about the application process, requirements, housing options, and living in Lexington can be found through the Prospective Students webpage. 

After determining that students meet the minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School (see the Graduate School website for these requirements), the application is passed on to the department for action. These applications are reviewed by the department's graduate program admissions committee.

For a student to receive full consideration for admission and funding, his/her complete application must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than January 15. Applications submitted after this internal deadline will still be considered but will not receive the highest priority.

It is important to stay in touch with our Graduate Program contacts during the application process. 

The following items are required and may be submitted via the application through The Graduate School: 

• CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement
  • Please outline the reasons you are applying, your long-term goals, and any background information that might be helpful in assessing your potential for graduate study.
• GRE & TOEFL/IELTS scores

The GRE General Test is a required computer-adaptive test. For information about the test and availability in your area, go to the Educational Testing Service website.

Although there is no absolute minimum GRE score required, the Agricultural Economics graduate admissions committee is looking for an approximate total score (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning) of 300 with a degree of balance between the two reflecting the quantitative skills inherent in our program. Your GRE scores are considered in your admission decision but as important are your GPA and academic background, resume, personal statement, and your three recommendation letters.

The TOEFL or IELTS test is required for all students whose native language is not English. The university waives the requirement for students who have earned a degree from a U.S. university. For information about the test and availability in your area, go to the Educational Testing Service website for TOEFL (Minimum acceptable scores are 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79 (Internet) or IELTS (Minimum acceptable score is 6.5)

When sending your GRE and TOEFL scores to UK's Graduate School, please use Institution/Program Code: 1837

All applicants admitted to our program are considered for funding on a competitive basis, depending on funding available.