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Chapter 9 - How to Apply to Graduate Programs Chapter 9: How to Apply to Graduate Programs Nina Winsick1, Kathleen Shaffer2, and Judy L. Van Raalte2,3 1 Arizona State University 2 Department of Psychology, Springfield College 3 College of Health Sciences, Wuhan Sports University www.appliedsportpsych.org 1

AASP | Directory of Graduate Programs In this chapter: Explore Programs Reaching Out to Programs Timeline of Application 2 www.appliedsportpsych.org

AASP | Directory of Graduate ProgCrahmapster 9 - How to Apply to Graduate Programs Explore Programs The exploration of programs is covered in what topics are good ones to discuss with faculty depth in chapter 8. However, it is important to note and how best to connect best with faculty members. in this chapter as the kind of program that you are Having a conversation with current students or alumni applying to will greatly impact your application so of the program will give you the chance to learn more it is important to be aware of the type of program about the program from the student perspective. you are applying to. The programs you choose to Students and alumni can give you a realistic vision apply to may be focused on kinesiology/exercise of what your life may look like if you were a student in science, counseling/clinical psychology, or public the program and provide insight on what it is like to health/health promotion among other things. A work with various professors in the program. A useful program may place an emphasis on applied work, place to find students and alumni to reach out to or may place an emphasis on research, or have would be the program’s website. You could also use an equal emphasis on both. The kind of program social media to your advantage by finding students that you choose will impact what you emphasize and alumni to connect with through the program’s on your resume, what you include in your personal social media page or LinkedIn. Begin reaching out to statement, and even who you ask to write your students and alumni by sending an email or message letters of recommendation. As you explore programs introducing yourself and expressing your interest in that you may be interested in, be sure to take note the program in which they are or were involved. Ask of the emphasis of the program as this will be vital them if they would be open to having a conversation information as you continue through the application with you about their experience in person, virtually, process. or over the phone. These types of conversations will give you a chance to get a different perspective on Reaching Out to Programs questions that you might ask of professors as well as ask questions unique to the students and alumni Learning About Programs. Reaching out to programs you’re speaking with. will give you the opportunity to learn more about the program from faculty and students, get Here are some examples of questions that you might questions answered that aren’t addressed on ask in this types of meetings: program websites, and allow you the chance to meet the faculty prior to submitting an application. • What made you choose this program? By reaching out to programs, you will have the opportunity to answer the question for yourself, “Do • How does student research work here? I want to be a part of this program?” In this stage of the application process, you are getting to know • How do applied experiences work? the program and faculty just as much as they are getting to know you to decide if you would be a good • What does the relationship with professors look fit for each other. Tip: Before reaching out to faculty, like? research current students or alumni. • How would you describe the relationship among Learn about the program from students and alumni. students? If possible, talk to students and alumni that have careers that you would like to emulate, have similar • What do you like about the campus and area? research interests to you, and are participating in applied experiences or research opportunities that • Would you choose this program again? you find interesting. It is appropriate to ask them • Can you tell me about your career paths and plans? • How has this program prepared you for the career that you want? www.appliedsportpsych.org 3

AASP | Directory of Graduate Programs • What advice would you give to someone applying to Prior to your meeting with faculty, ensure that this program? you’ve done research on the program and the faculty member you are meeting with so you can be • How do you recommend preparing for an interview? prepared with relevant questions. It has been found that an applicant’s lack of knowledge regarding the When you are ready to reach out to faculty members, it program in which they are applying to is viewed is appropriate to send a brief email to members of the as a kiss of death by those reviewing applications faculty that you wish to connect with. This could allow you so, it is important to do your research prior to this to learn about the program from multiple perspectives, meeting and allow the meeting to fill in any gaps in hear about the various interests and offerings of information (Appleby & Appleby, 2006). Program individual professors, and gain a deeper understanding websites are an excellent source of information to of the program as a whole. It can be helpful for more than help aid in this research. Many programs will have one faculty member to get the chance to know you as an a frequently asked question page. Take the time to applicant. Additionally, if one faculty member does not explore this page to ensure that you aren’t asking reply to your request for information, perhaps another redundant questions. When meeting with a faculty one will. member, it is important to be familiar with their role in the program, such as if they are the head of the Your initial email is the chance to introduce yourself, program or a professor within the program. Their express your interest in applying, and set up a meeting role will determine how involved they are within the with faculty in order to learn more about the program program and what questions they may be best and get questions answered. This meeting could be equipped to answer. It’s also important to familiarize a phone call, a video call, or an in-person meeting yourself with their research interests, current depending upon what both you and the faculty agree projects, and past publications. The first place to upon. Section Exercise: Take a moment to draft a practice find this information would be a faculty bio, but if introductory email that you would send to a faculty this information is not comprehensive or updated member. Have a trusted friend or advisor look over the search for any publications on platforms such as email in order to provide feedback. Google Scholar, PsycINFO, ReasearchGate, and SPORTDiscus. Take some time to familiarize yourself with their background before your meeting. Being knowledgeable about a faculty member’s area of research will not only show your serious interest in the program, but will also give you the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. This initial meeting will be more casual than an interview. The goal is to build a relationship and have a conversation. You are getting to know the faculty member and program just as much as they are getting to know you. In order to facilitate this conversation, you should start by introducing yourself and allowing the faculty member to get a sense of who you are. You should also come prepared with a couple of questions that are important to you. These 4 www.appliedsportpsych.org

Chapter 9 - How to Apply to Graduate Programs questions should help to lead into a conversation of the application process is to use and expand that develops over time. your professional network. You can begin by networking by talking with the faculty and alumni Below are some examples of questions that you from your undergraduate institution. Family and might ask in this initial meeting. If you ask all of these friends may also have useful connections in the questions, it may appear that you are interrogating sport psychology field that you can learn about the faculty member. It is better to prioritize your if you ask. Attending professional conferences is questions to start a conversation and create a another excellent way to build your network and relationship than to ask them all the questions. make connections with professionals, faculty, • I have been reading about your research on and students that are working in your field. Many conferences will also have representatives from X topic, is this something that you are still graduate programs that you may be interested interested in? (if not, what areas of research are in learning more about. An excellent place to start you working on now). is an Association for Applied Sport Psychology • What qualities make someone a successful (AASP) regional conference. These conferences applicant and graduate student in your are shorter, significantly less expensive to attend, program? What qualities are you looking for in and more student-focused than the national your students? AASP conference, and can provide opportunities • How closely do the research interests of students to connect on a smaller scale in an environment in this program match that of their mentors? that caters to students. You should begin • What is your mentorship style? What does the networking and taking advantage of networking relationship between students and professors opportunities as soon as possible. While reaching look like? out to a faculty member on your own is incredibly • What does the relationship between students in valuable, it can be even more valuable to have the program look like? someone that they are already connected with • Can you tell me more about other research that make an introduction. Section Exercise: Take a is being done in the program? moment to research and explore upcoming local, • Can you tell me more about the applied regional, and national AASP conferences. experiences graduate students are engaging in? • What kind of job opportunities are your students getting prior to graduation? • What resources are available to graduate students? • Can you tell me more about graduate funding opportunities? • Can you tell me what the process looks like once an application is submitted? During this initial meeting with faculty, ask if they could connect you with any current students or alumni if you haven’t already connected with any prior to meeting with the faculty member. In addition to reaching out, a helpful tip for this stage www.appliedsportpsych.org 5

AASP | Directory of Graduate Programs Timeline of Application program does require standardized testing this will be important to note within your application timeline, There are two timelines to consider when applying to as taking standardized tests will require additional a graduate program. The first is an unofficial timeline. studying and planning. Standardized tests will require This will include researching programs, reaching out a fee, however there are fee-waivers available for to programs and faculty, cultivating relationships with various situations. If you are seeking a fee-waiver, recommenders, attending conferences, and building include taking time to research what fee-waivers are your skills and experiences. The goal of this timeline is available into your application timeline. to develop skills and gain experiences that will make faculty want to choose you for their program. This The final aspect of your application that you timeline begins as soon as possible in college. Many must take into consideration when mapping out of these things such as building skills and cultivating your timeline is any additional application materials relationships take time, and it is important to give required by the program such as a personal yourself the time necessary to do these things well. The statement, transcripts, resume, and letters of second timeline to consider is the official timeline. This recommendation. Some programs may have specific is the timeline of application deadlines provided by the requirements for each of these application materials programs to which you are applying. so it is crucial to take note of any requirements as well as clarify any questions that you may have with the Being familiar with application deadlines is a crucial graduate admissions office or faculty members in the step in the application process. There are several program. things to take into account when submitting an application. These include prerequisite coursework/ Below is a sample timeline for submitting application research, standardized testing, and application materials for a December/January application materials, including essays, resumes, transcripts, and deadline: letters of recommendation. International students must also take into account required language tests April or other standardized testing, allowing time for student visas or required permits, and allowing extra time for • Begin researching programs recommenders to write and submit letters of support • Talk with your advisor or professors about in English. Students who have been out of school for a while may also need some extra time to locate faculty potential program options or others who can write letters of support that speak to their academic skills. May In order to ensure that you will be able to meet all of • Reach out to students and alumni of the programs the academic prerequisite and research requirements which you are interested in for the program that you choose, begin your program search as early as possible. Allow yourself at least one • Take note of any class or research requirements semester before the application deadline in order to that you need to fulfill before applying take any classes that you may be missing. • Take note if your program requires the GRE While checking programs for required prerequisite courses, it is also important to note if the program June/July in which you are applying to requires standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). If the • If GRE is required, begin studying for the GRE • Start thinking about personal statement ideas 6 www.appliedsportpsych.org