Application to the Program

Requirements for Entrance

Admission to the ESS – Fitness Program is competitive and not all students who apply will be admitted. Below are the minimum admission criteria. Achieving the minimum requirements (e.g., the minimum GPA requirement) may not be adequate for admission if competition is high. See your Academic Advisor or the ESS – Fitness Program Director, Becki Battista, Ph.D., 132 Mitchell Hall, for more information.

Application Deadlines: October 1 and February 1

  1. Complete 30 credit hours (may include general education and/or transfer credits).   Transfer students, at LEAST ONE course must have been completed at UW – L. Please be aware, once admitted to the program at least 2 semesters may be required to complete all ESS Fitness Program coursework (20 credits of courses and 12 credits of internship).
  2. Earn a “C” or higher in the following pre-admission core courses
    • BIO 103, BIO 105, or MIC 100
    • HPR 105
    • ESS 115
  3. Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. You may wish to use the GPA calculators found here to get an idea of your current and future status.
  4. Pass the fitness exam. The fitness exam has been updated. Please be aware of the changes and the minimum percentiles required.
    • Applicants must pass the fitness exam before the application deadline. To sign up for the fitness exam, please contact Chris Dodge (dodge.chri@uwlax.edu,  785-8685) in the Human Performance Laboratory, 225 Mitchell Hall. It is recommended that you schedule your fitness test at least 3 months before the program application deadline. This will give you a chance to retake the test, if necessary, before the program application is due.
    • The fitness exam includes: body composition assessment, VO2max, push-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility (sit and reach).
    • The fee for the fitness exam is $20.00. Please make checks out to “UW – L Human Performance Laboratory”.
    • Your average score must be at or above the 70th percentile on the fitness exam. LINK.
  5. Submit the following (in the below listed order) to the ESS – Fitness Director:
    • Application form.
    • Major GPA can be found on the SNAP report in the box labeled ESS-FITNESS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
    • Mission statement or Professional Goals (see Mission Statement Guidelines for specific details).
    • Standardized Fitness Application Resume. Please follow the form provided in terms of headings and information to be presented in your resume. A sample has been provided.
      • Standardized Fitness Application Resume form.
      • Example, Good A. Student.
    • NEW!!!!  One completed Letter of Recommendation
      • Academic Reference – Choose a person who will speak to your academic ability.
      • The letter should be addressed and mailed to the Fitness Program Director, 132 Mitchell Hall, or emailed to battista.rebe@uwlax.edu. Questions to be addressed in the letters are provided. These forms MUST be turned in prior to the application deadline.
    • Two completed Job Shadows
      • Completed Job Shadow form with appropriate signatures.
      • Provide a 1 page, double spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margin explanation of your experience (see Job Shadow Guidelines for specific details).
    • Unofficial Transcripts
    • Copy of the Fitness Test Results
    • Beginning Spring 09 – Along with your application packet, the following will be dropped into a D2L site:
      • Mission statement
      • Fitness Application Resume
      • Job shadow Explanation of Experiences
      • Unofficial Transcript
    • Once you have turned in your paper application form, your name will be added to a D2L site in order for you to use the drop box for your application materials.
  6. All guidelines can be found in the Application Packet. This includes instructions, guidelines, and examples of all parts to the application process. This is a 6 page document, so please look at ALL the pages.
  7. Interview with the Fitness Program Director, Faculty, and Academic Staff involved in the Fitness Program.
    • You are responsible for scheduling your interview.  Sign up sheets will be placed on the Fitness Program Directors door for dates and times.  Times must be scheduled once you turn in your application.  Interviews will be scheduled a few days after the applications are due.

Criteria for Admission

  1. Overall GPA
  2. Application materials
    • Importance will be placed on clarity, adhering to the page limitations, and proper order of application materials.
  3. Experiences related to the Fitness/Exercise Science field
  4. References
  5. Interview

Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered.