<p>I've just finished my first year of undergrad, but I already know that Grad School is in my not so distant future. That being said I partake in two sports competitively(one summer, one winter, neither are school sports) and am hoping to make both national teams within the next few years. But what I've realized is that this does not give me a lot of time to accumulate "work experience," I volunteer, my grades are good, I have sponsors, I compete, but my schedule just does not allow for me to take on a part time job and part-time summer internships are hard(if not impossible) to find in my area and I know that puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to applying to Grad School, as they look work experience and life experience (especially if I chose to go into medicine.)
So how do Grad Schools look a athletics in comparison to work experience? Am I at an extreme disadvantage compared to others who may be applying, or is it all relative? Do I have a shot if I keep it up (grades, athletic standing, volunteer hours?)</p>
<pre><code> Also, I'm not looking at Ivy League or anything as I'm not in America, but it is a well known university.
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<p>You are right to consider the deficiencies in your resume for graduate school. As you note, there is simply not time to do the summer internships or part-time jobs. </p>
<p>I’ve seen many D.I rowers take a year off to accumulate practical laboratory or hospital experience before applying to medical school, or work for a year or two before business school applications. </p>
<p>Athletics may not compensate for lack of experience for your applications. Med schools want to see proven interest and talent for the life sciences, so be prepared to apply for research jobs or internships in medicine.</p>
<p>Grad school or professional school? It makes a difference in the answer. Almost all PhD programs are just interested in “candle power” --business school is interested in the other stuff–MD programs want the grades but also evidence of patient care/bench work. law school vary across the lot-- YLS and HLS-- is almost all “wattage” too, other law schools take work, internships and activities into account.</p>
<p>If you are a rower and are applying to Oxbridge, if you can win a Blue you can be practically a moron.</p>