MAES WINTER COHORT PROGRAM BENEFITS

Exclusive Summer Experience in Partnership with U-M Athletics
Throughout the Spring/Summer 2026 semester, MAES students will enroll in a course specifically created for the MAES winter cohort (AES/MOVESCI 280), designed to align MVS/AES-related content to issues specific to sport science and sport performance. During this course, U-M Athletic Department faculty and staff from areas such as performance nutrition, strength and conditioning, performance science, sport psychology, and athletic medicine will meet with MAES students to discuss these areas of specialization, including information about preparing/training for related career opportunities. MAES students will also tour facilities specific to these different areas of specialization on the U-M Athletic campus, to see their operations in action.

Gap Semester
MAES students will take a gap semester in the fall and start their college classes in winter term (January 2026). Students can use this time to pursue a job, internship, travel, volunteer experience, etc. before classes begin. (Note: Students shall not enroll in any classes elsewhere at any point prior to enrollment at the University of Michigan in January 2026, as that changes their status to "transfer student.")

Learning Community
MAES students will be part of a small cohort, largely taking classes together. Students will have guaranteed Kinesiology course enrollment during winter and spring/summer terms.

Immersive Core Classes
Students will fulfill core requirements for the MVS or AES Program through immersive, experiential courses, including:

• Winter 2026
  • MOVESCI 110: Biological & Behavioral Bases of Human Movement (3 credits)
  • Introduction to the MAES Program (1 credit)
  • First-year writing requirement, e.g. ENG 125 (4 credits)
  • AES students: AES 220 & 221: Physiology & Lab (4 credits)
  • MVS students: Preparatory science course and lab, e.g. CHEM 130 or BIO 172 (3-4 credits)
• Spring/Summer 2026
  • MOVESCI 219: Scientific Writing (3 credits)
  • MOVESCI 230 & 231: Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy & Lab (4 credits)
  • MOVESCI 250: Statistics (3 credits)
  • AES/MOVESCI 280: MAES Summer Experience (in partnership with U-M Athletics; 2 credits)

Graduate on Time
In September 2026, students will join the Fall 2025 cohort, fully on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in MVS or AES in the typical four-year period.

WHAT MAES STUDENTS ARE SAYING

"It's really special that we get to be part of a small group in such a big school. We're in a lot of similar classes and we see each other a lot." —Allison

"It was such a privilege to have time off before starting the next four years of my life. I was really excited about that because I felt like it really prepared me for college." —Nina

VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS

Interested in learning more? Join us at a virtual info session:

TBD

After you RSVP (and prior to the event), you'll receive a link to the info session.
Can't attend? Complete the RSVP form above to receive a link to the recording.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the Movement Science & Applied Exercise Science (MAES) winter cohort? The January 2026 MAES winter cohort is specifically for first-year students that were previously waitlisted for and then accepted into the University of Michigan Movement Science or Applied Exercise Science Program. Unfortunately, transfer students are not eligible for the MAES winter cohort.

2. What differentiates the MAES winter cohort from the MVS/AES fall admissions cohort? MAES students will take a gap semester the fall prior to their January enrollment. During that time, students have the freedom to pursue a job, travel, volunteer, or engage in other experiences before classes begin. Once enrolled in January, MAES students will be part of a small cohort, largely taking classes together. Students will have dedicated academic staff and peer mentors during Winter 2026 and Spring/Summer 2026 terms. Most significantly, MAES students will engage in an exclusive spring/summer professional development experience with U-M Athletics.

3. What can I do during my gap semester? We recommend that MAES students use their gap semester to pursue a job, travel, volunteer, or engage in other experiences. Students shall not enroll in any classes elsewhere at any point prior to enrollment at the University of Michigan in January 2026. This program is only available to first-year MVS/AES students and any credits earned elsewhere would make the student in question a transfer student and therefore ineligible for this program.

4. Is it possible to enroll with my classmates who will begin in August? Or can I defer my admission to the following fall or January? No. This special program is for a January 2026 start only. If you are unable to enroll in January 2026, we encourage you to consider reapplying for admission for a future date.

5. Am I eligible to receive financial aid for the MAES winter cohort? For more information on whether you're eligible for financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 734-763-6600.

6. What are my housing options for MAES? While it's possible that you can live on campus in Winter 2026, there's no guarantee that residence hall space is available. We encourage you to investigate alternative options now through U-M's Beyond the Diag program. Historically, about a third of our winter-start students have preferred to rent or sublet an off-campus apartment, house, or co-op. If you prefer to live on campus, you can apply for university housing in November and contracts will be issued in December.

7. When is Spring/Summer Term 2026? Spring/summer term runs from early May to the end of July.

8. If I delay enrollment until Winter 2026, when will I graduate? It will depend on how you pursue your coursework while enrolled in the MAES winter cohort. Upon successful completion of winter and spring/summer terms, MAES students will join the MVS/AES Fall '25 cohort in Fall 2026 fully on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in movement science or applied exercise science in the typical four-year period.

9. Should I attend summer orientation? No. Formal orientation for MAES winter cohort students starting January 2026 will be offered in December 2025. Orientation information will be sent to you upon official enrollment in the MAES winter cohort.

10. Should I visit campus before I enroll in January? We encourage prospective students to visit campus ahead of enrollment, if they are able. You can sign up for a tour at admissions.umich.edu/explore-visit/visit-campus. Registration is required.

11. Will I be able to join a fraternity or sorority during my first semester on campus? First-year students may be eligible to join fraternities and sororities. Visit U-M Fraternity and Sorority Life for more information.

12. Are there resources for religious observance?

• There are no Saturday or Sunday travel commitments for our winter-start programs.
• An on-site reflection room (SKB 2677) is available for drop-in use to meditate, pray, and otherwise spend time in quiet reflection. It includes two lounge-style settees, a room divider, and a prayer rug. A foot-washing station is available in the adjacent bathroom. View the full list of campus reflection rooms.
• M Dining provides Halal, Kosher, and Ramadan meal options. Additionally,
  • The Hillel Kitchen is a meat-only Kosher kitchen facility servicing the U-M Jewish student population. Learn more at michiganhillel.org/hillel-kitchen.
  • The Chabad House Student Center offers a variety of Kosher meal options during the week, Shabbat, and other Jewish holidays. Learn more at jewmich.com/studentcenter.

13. How do I confirm my interest in the MAES winter cohort? You must officially confirm your interest in the MAES winter cohort through Enrollment Connect, which will be updated by April 16 for you to indicate your interest in the program. On or after that date, log into enrollmentconnect.umich.edu and submit the form under the “Action Items” column. You must confirm your interest by May 7, 2025. Once you confirm your interest, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will review you for the winter term.

14. What happens after I've confirmed my interest in the MAES winter cohort? Once you've confirmed your interest in being considered for the MAES winter cohort, you'll hear from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with a decision, either way, by TBD.

15. If I accept the offer to enroll in the MAES winter cohort, will I still be on the Fall 2024 waitlist? No. If you accept the offer to enroll in the MAES winter cohort, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will withdraw your Fall 2025 application and update it to reflect admission into the Winter 2026 term.

16. Who should I contact if I have more questions about the MAES winter cohort? Please email [email protected].