Pre-Athletic Training

Preparation for Athletic Training school involves engaging in experiences that develop and demonstrate skills in communication, leadership, community service, research, and familiarity with the profession. What you do with your time helps define who you are on your application.

Athletic Training programs will learn what you care about and who you are through experiences that align with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that activities complement your coursework but will not compensate for low grades. Both are important.

• Keep a detailed record of all hours and experiences.
• Document contact information and reflections on each activity.
• Many students use an Excel spreadsheet to track their experiences.
• Activities should be completed during undergraduate study.
• Try to participate consistently throughout the school year.
• Be intentional and deliberate in planning your experiences.

Shadowing And Chiropractic Experience

Shadowing should be one of your first experiences as a pre-Athletic Training student. Observing certified athletic trainers in various settings will help you better understand the profession and determine whether it is a good fit for your career goals. Competitive applicants often shadow athletic trainers in multiple settings and accumulate approximately 50-100 hours of observation experience.

Examples include:

• High school athletics
• Collegiate athletics
• Sports medicine clinics
• Physician offices
• Industrial settings
• Performing arts settings

Community Service

Because Athletic Training is a service-oriented healthcare profession, volunteer experiences demonstrating a commitment to helping others are important.

Volunteer activities do not need to be medically related but should be meaningful and demonstrate consistent involvement.

Competitive applicants often complete multiple volunteer experiences and accumulate 200-300 hours of service during their undergraduate education.

Leadership Experience

Examples include:

• Student organizations
• Campus employment
• Church callings
• Coaching
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Team captain positions

Competitive applicants often complete multiple leadership experiences and accumulate 50-100 hours of leadership involvement.

Research Experience

Athletic Training programs value applicants who understand evidence-based practice and scientific research.

Examples include:

• Faculty-directed research
• Research projects completed in coursework
• Research internships

Clinical Experience

Direct experience working with patients, athletes, or healthcare providers helps students better understand the profession.

Examples include:

• Sports First Aid Clinic
• Athletic Training internships
• Sports medicine clinics
• Physical therapy clinics
• Physician offices
• Rehabilitation clinics

Competitive applicants often accumulate 200-500 hours of clinical experience.

Hobbies

Athletic Training programs value well-rounded applicants who demonstrate balance between academics, service, leadership, and personal interests.

Hobbies and interests can make your application unique and provide opportunities for personal growth.

Double-Dipping

To be competitive, students should strive to develop experiences in each category. One activity should not be counted in multiple categories whenever possible.

Many Athletic Training programs no longer require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). However, some schools may still require or recommend GRE scores.

Students should check individual program websites to determine whether the GRE is required.

What Content Does the GRE Contain?

The GRE contains three sections:

• Analytical Writing
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning

How is the GRE Scored?

Verbal Reasoning

• 130-170
• 158 or higher is generally considered competitive

Quantitative Reasoning

• 130-170
• 159 or higher is generally considered competitive

Analytical Writing

• 0-6
• 4.5 or higher is generally considered competitive

How Do I Prepare for the GRE?

• Give yourself one to three months to study.
• Take practice exams.
• Create a study schedule.
• Focus on weaker content areas.
• Maintain healthy sleep and study habits.

Helpful Resources and Websites

• ETS GRE Website
• GRE Practice Tests
• GRE Test Content and Structure

Applications are often submitted approximately 12 months before the desired enrollment date.

Having an academic plan, extracurricular plan, and application plan will help students remain competitive throughout the process.

Preparing to Apply

• Talk to potential letter writers early.
• Continue volunteer, shadowing, leadership, and clinical experiences until accepted into a program.
• Research programs and admission requirements.
• Save money for application expenses.
• Confirm program-specific deadlines.

Suggested Timeline

Freshman Year

• Explore Athletic Training as a career
• Meet with a Health Professions Advisor
• Begin prerequisite coursework • Start observation experiences

Sophomore Year

• Continue prerequisite coursework
• Gain clinical and volunteer experience
• Build relationships with mentors and faculty

Junior Year

• Research programs
• Begin preparing application materials
• Request letters of recommendation

Senior Year

• Submit ATCAS applications
• Complete interviews
• Graduate with bachelor's degree
• Prepare for enrollment in an Athletic Training program

International students are students who are not green card holders or permanent residents. Permanent residents are generally considered the same as U.S. residents for application purposes.

International students may be accepted to Athletic Training programs in the United States. However, requirements vary significantly by institution.

Research Schools and Plan Accordingly

Each school has different policies regarding:

• International applicants
• Coursework requirements
• Credential evaluations
• English proficiency requirements
• Financial requirements

Students should carefully review each school's admissions website.

Create a Financial Plan

Athletic Training programs can be a significant financial investment.

International students do not qualify for federal financial aid and should research alternative funding options such as:

• Scholarships
• Institution-specific aid
• Private loans
• Sponsorship opportunities

The key is to evaluate available options and create a financial plan before beginning a program.

Most Important: Make Yourself a Competitive Applicant

Strong grades, meaningful experiences, leadership involvement, clinical exposure, and a thoughtful application will help international students remain competitive throughout the admissions process.