Your Game Plan for Grad School: How to Apply to Sports-Related Degrees🎓

Hey everyone!

I know it has been a minute and I truly hope that you guys are doing well. I wanted to talk about a topic today that is very close to my heart: applying for grad school. This specific topic is important to me because it was the option given to me when I thought I would have to leave everything I had built here in the US to go back to Brazil after graduating college. By applying to graduate school, I'm able to continue studying here in the US with a student visa while I have some more time to figure out what will happen after that.

I know that a lot of people are not aware of the different options that people have when looking into pursuing a sports-related major, so I wanted to create a post that will hopefully help one of you out when it comes to applying to getting your master's.

Why Choose a Graduate Degree in Sports?

More and more sport organizations are looking for a graduate degree when hiring people to join them. Of course it will depend on the area that you want to get into, but a lot of places will prioritize people with higher education and more experience. Going into a sports-related program comes with some great benefits like growing your career and experience, gaining specialized knowledge in the area you're passionate about, and the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals.

Start by Defining Your Goals

Before doing anything in life, it's so vital to map out your goals or what you want to achieve out of that experience. When it comes to your career, your thought process should be the same. The key here is that you're starting with the end in mind: where do you want to work? What position do you want to focus on? These questions can help you figure out what your end goal is while you're mapping out the way to get there.

If you're unsure about your goals, think about the roles in sports that excite you the most and the type of focus that you want to have (example: social, player-focused, etc.).

Research the Right Programs

I'd encourage you to research programs based on the area that you want to get into. For me, for example, I knew that I wanted a sports background to my resume, so I wanted a sports management course that would allow me to get that background. Other key things you can look at are the locations, the faculty available, internship opportunities, specializations, and stuff like that.

Another interesting thing to research are the accreditations that your program has. You want to ensure that, if you're going to spend time and money in grad school, that your program is worth your time and money.

For me, I wanted programs that would offer graduate assistantship positions and scholarships since I wouldn't be able to pay for school out of pocket. Depending on what your goals are, spend time looking into the different programs that are offered.

Stand Out with Your Application

Your application is your chance to stand out from among your colleagues. I'd encourage you to create a personal statement or a cover letter that you can attach to your application that reflects your passion for sports and any career aspirations you may have. Use this opportunity to highlight any sports-related experiences, leadership roles, or accomplishments that are relevant.

Different programs will have different requirements for your application. Be ready to provide a resume, cover letter, and an essay to go along with your application. I'd also encourage you to begin gathering recommendation letters early from people that can vouch for you, your character, and your experience.

I have some blog posts about creating a great resume and also the differences between a resume and a cover letter. You can find links for these posts below -- you should check them out after reading this post!

Prepare for Possible Interviews

Another common requirement for graduate programs is an interview with a member of faculty or staff. Like for any other interview, make sure that you're taking time to prepare and practice with questions that are commonly asked for the industry. I'd encourage you to practice using online platforms for mock interviews, videos on YouTube, or even sitting down with a mentor or friend.

Financial Planning

Graduate school can be very expensive, so it's important that you carefully research your funding options for pursuing higher education. Depending on the programs that you choose, you may be able to find scholarships, assistantships, or work-study programs that will allow you to not only gather experience but also a paycheck to help with expenses.

It's also vital to note that there are sports-specific scholarships that you can look into or grants from organizations like Women Leaders in College Sports or the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.

Stay Organized

Staying organized is key for this process, especially if you plan to apply to different programs. Make sure that you're using a calendar or a Notion template or some type of organizational system that you can have. It's important for you to manage any application timelines and deadlines that can make or break this process for you. I'd encourage using a Notion template, Google Calendar, and or a simple spreadsheet that you can create on Excel to track your progress.

Take the First Step

Now that you have this guide, it's time to start researching and planning today. The earlier you start, the more time you'll have to carefully research your options to ensure that you're mapping out your future correctly. Here's a list of some other possible resources that could help you in your search:

1. Program Directories:

   1. Sports Management Worldwide

   2. NCAA Career Center

2. Scholarships & Funding:

   1. NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

   2. Fastweb Scholarship Search

3. Application Help:

   1. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for Personal Statement Tips

   2. Big Interview for Interview Prep

   3. YouTube Interview Practice

I wish you the best in your search and feel free to drop any questions or concerns below. You got this!