Kinesiology Grad Program Application Process

The following assumes a Fall start…

1. Learn about grad school at WSU the prior Fall

   • Make sure you meet all the university requirements
   • See here for the WSU grad school requirements
   • See here if you are an international student
   • Contact our college grad studies office if you have questions about the application process
   • Contact our grad director if you have questions about the program

2. Find a potential faculty advisor

   • This is most important for thesis track, but we also encourage it for non-thesis track.
   • Here are a few things to ask the faculty when you contact them:
     • Make sure they have space in their lab or availability to take on another advisee.
     • Make sure they have the expertise (e.g. biomechanics, coaching, surveying, etc.) that interests you and will help you grow.
     • Make sure you have all the skills they are looking for in a potential advisee.
     • Make sure it is a good personality fit for you. You are going to be working a lot with this person over the next 2 years.

3. Make sure you have all your stuff ready to apply

   • Letters of Rec…give your recommenders enough time (at least a month) to write a great letter
   • Written statements…take these seriously, answer all the questions thoroughly. 1-2 pages is typical.
   • Résumé or CV…don’t forget to personalize it for applying to our graduate program

4. APPLY ⇐ Press the apply button here to start your application

   • Start this in December for a Fall start date
   • Priority deadline for Fall semester is January 10th and Spring semester is July 1st.
   • Please read the instructions on the Apply page so you know what documents to have when you apply
   • Make sure to apply before the priority deadline if you want to be considered for an assistantship
   • We do accept applications after the priority deadline though it may be on a space available basis.
     

     4.a. International Students

     • Depending on the country you are coming from, you will have a much longer process that needs to be started much earlier to get into the U.S.A. Your process may take around 6 months.
     • You will need to get a student visa, which will require an I-20, which is issued by the graduate school. The graduate school won’t process this until you have been accepted. So make sure you apply at the priority deadline.
     • You should work closely with the International Programs Office and the Graduate School to ensure your documents are processed in a timely manner to get here on time.

5. Hear back about acceptance

   • This happens mid-Spring for those that applied at the priority deadline. If you applied after the priority deadline you will hear back later than mid-Spring (for August admission) or mid-Fall (for January admission)
   • If you marked in you application that you were interested in an assistantship, we will potentially be contacting you in Spring for more info or a teaching presentation. Teaching assistantships are usually assigned for the academic year starting in the Fall term. Other assistantships may start in the spring term.
   • You may be considered for a teaching assistantship in our program. If you are interested in a TA position, make sure you indicate that in your application
   • Assistantships are also available through UREC or other place around campus

6. Make sure you accept your offer once you get it so we know you are coming

   • You do this via a link in the the acceptance email sent to you
   • In addition, accept your degree offer within myWSU by using one of these two links (myWSU navigation one Or myWSU navigation two)

7. Start looking for housing

   • Start as soon as you find out you are accepted. There are a lot of apartments but they go fast around Pullman

8. Fly to Pullman to start classes

   • Flights directly into Pullman are limited and they fill up fast the week before classes start.
   • If you have an assistantship, you are probably expected (on contract) to be here a week before classes start. Check your contract for details.
   • You can fly to Lewiston if you can find a ride (about 30 minutes south)
   • You can fly to Spokane and take the regular bus down to Pullman (about an hour north)