FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
APPLICATION PACKET
Dear Future Scholars Program Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the Academy of Leisure Sciences (ALS) Future Scholars Program
sponsored by the ALS with support from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Education Network. This packet includes information that you will need to complete your
application.
The purpose of the Future Scholars Program is to provide master’s degree students who are
interested (in the next few years) in pursuing a doctorate in an area related to recreation and leisure
studies the opportunity to meet some of the outstanding researchers and scholars in the field.
Selected applicants will be invited to attend the NRPA Annual Congress as guests of the ALS and the
NRPA Education Network. The Future Scholars will receive $1,000 to cover transportation, lodging,
and meal expenses. Future Scholars are expected to register for the NRPA conference at the student
rate.
This year’s conference will be held from October 14 to 16, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the
conference, Future Scholars will be paired with a mentor and have an opportunity to interact with
scholars in the field. In addition, Future Scholars will attend meetings hosted by the Academy of
Leisure Sciences, the Leisure Research Symposium, and the NRPA Education Network; go to NRPA
educational sessions; and participate in social functions. This will be an excellent opportunity for
Future Scholars to ask questions about the field and inquire about doctoral program opportunities.
This application packet includes:
 Eligibility criteria
 Selection criteria
 Application instructions
 An application form
 A note for faculty sponsors
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Deb Kerstetter (debk@psu.edu) as an email attachment
(.docx or .pdf formatted) by midnight April 18, 2014.
Best wishes and thank you for your interest in the Future Scholars program!
Sincerely,
The 2014 ALS Future Scholars Program Committee Members
APPLICATION
FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Sponsored by the
Academy of Leisure Sciences
FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The purpose of the ALS Future Scholars Program is to provide graduate students who are interested in
pursuing a doctorate in an area related to recreation and leisure studies the opportunity to meet some of the
outstanding scholars in the field by attending the NRPA National Congress.
ELIGIBILITY
Individuals who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:
 currently enrolled in, or have completed a master’s degree in the leisure field;
 have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during both undergraduate and graduate
studies;
 Is not committed to, nor enrolled in, doctoral study at a particular university at the time of application
and conference attendance;
 has plans to initiate doctoral studies within the next three years;
 is interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in recreation and parks, leisure studies, tourism, or related
discipline;
 has the written support of a faculty sponsor; and
 can attend the 2014 NRPA National Congress.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Members of the 2014 ALS Future Scholars Program Committee will review all applicants using the following
criteria:
 academic ability (based on GPA and Faculty Sponsor letter);
 indications of scholarly potential in the field (based on publications, presentations, research experience,
applicant’s cover letter, and/or Faculty Sponsor letter);
 strength of intention to pursue doctoral studies in a leisure-related subject (based on applicant’s cover
letter and Faculty Sponsor letter); and
 general level of professionalism (based on format and depth of application materials, presentation of
written materials, and professional involvement).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
A complete application packet will consist of the following five components:
1. Completed application form (see the attached form-fillable application).
2. Cover letter describing:
a. your major areas of interest in recreation and parks, leisure studies, recreation resource
management, or related field;
b. your future academic and career plans;
c. the reasons you intend to pursue a doctoral degree;
d. areas of research you might pursue within a doctoral program; and
e. how you will benefit from participating in the Future Scholars Program.
3. Current resume including your educational and occupational experiences.
4. Transcripts of all academic work in higher education (including transcripts from multiple institutions if
applicable; unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
5. One letter of sponsorship from a faculty member in recreation, parks, tourism, leisure studies, or a
closely related field who is able to speak to your academic strengths and potential for doctoral studies.
(Please provide the attached Faculty Sponsor form letter to your faculty member)
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Submit your application as an email attachment as instructed below:
1. Combine the first four items listed above into one file (saved as .docx or .pdf), assembled in the following
order:
a. Application form
b. Cover letter
c. Resume
d. Transcripts
e. Faculty Sponsor letter*
*Faculty Sponsors have the option to submit their letters directly to the email address below.
2. Send the file (in one complete document) as an email attachment to Dr. Deb Kerstetter [debk@psu.edu]
using the subject line “Future Scholar Application.”
3. Deadline: Midnight, April 18, 2014.
4. NOTE: No more than one student from any particular university will be selected in any given year, though
more than one may submit an application packet.
5. Address questions to Dr. Deb Kerstetter, 2014 ALS Future Scholars Committee Chair at debk@psu.edu.
Thank you for your interest in the ALS Future Scholars Program.
APPLICATION FORMS FOLLOW
APPLICATION
FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Sponsored by the
Academy of Leisure Sciences
INSTRUCTIONS: Simply click on the gray box and type in the requested information. All items must be completed.
APPLICANT NAME:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER (between May-October): Area code first
ADDRESS AT WHICH YOU WILL RECEIVE MAIL (between May and October):
Street:
City:
State/Province:
Zip:
FACULTY SPONSOR NAME:
TITLE:
UNIVERSITY:
EMAIL:
PROVIDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR AREA(S) OF INTEREST (1,000 word maximum).
CURRENT ACADEMIC STATUS (check one; fill in the date):
I am currently enrolled in a master’s degree program; month/year of anticipated graduation:
I completed a masters degree; month/year of graduation:
CURRENT AND PAST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT*
(1) Current or most recent college/university attended (attach transcript)
Institution:
Major:
Degree (e.g., BS, MS):
GPA:
Dates attended:
(2) Prior college/university attended (attach transcript)
Institution:
Major:
Degree (e.g., BA, BS):
GPA:
Dates attended:
(3) Prior college/university attended (attach transcript)
Institution:
Major:
Degree, if completed (e.g., AS, BS):
GPA:
Dates attended:
I hereby apply to the ALS Future Scholars Program. I am interested in pursuing a doctorate in recreation, parks, leisure
studies, recreation resource management, or a related field of study within the next few years. If selected as a Future
Scholar, I will attend the 2014 NRPA Annual Congress and participate in a series of activities and programs designed to
help me learn more about the field and opportunities for doctoral studies.
Typed name:
Signature:
Date:
SAVE THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS IN THE ORDER NOTED ABOVE
AS ONE DOCUMENT
.docx AND .pdf ARE ACCEPTABLE FORMATS
EMAIL THE SINGLE DOCUMENT (COMPLETE PACKET) TO:
Dr. Deb Kerstetter, 2014 ALS Future Scholars Committee Chair at debk@psu.edu
FUTURE SCHOLARS APPLICANT
Give this to the university faculty member who has agreed to sponsor your
application for the ALS Future Scholars Program
FUTURE SCHOLARS
UNIVERSITY FACULTY SPONSOR INFORMATION
Thank you for sponsoring one of your outstanding graduate students for the Future Scholars Program
sponsored by the ALS and the NRPA Education Network. Selection criteria include: academic ability (based on
GPA and Faculty Sponsor letter); indications of scholarly potential in the field (based on publications,
presentations, research experience, applicant’s cover letter, and/or Faculty Sponsor letter); strength of
intention to pursue doctoral studies in a leisure-related subject (based on applicant’s cover letter and Faculty
Sponsor letter); and general level of professionalism (based on format and depth of application materials,
presentation of written materials, and professional involvement).
Your letter of support is extremely important in helping us select from among the many qualified applications
we receive. We are particularly interested in your perception of the student’s academic abilities relative to
other graduate students with whom you have worked; her or his scholarly interests and potential for doctoral
studies; and the strength of her or his intention to pursue doctoral studies in recreation and leisure studies,
tourism, recreation resource management, or a closely related field.
The student’s application packet must be submitted by midnight April 18, 2014 to be considered in this year’s
competition. If you are comfortable giving your letter directly to your student, please do so prior to that date
so it can be included in the application packet. The student must submit all other materials in one document.
If you prefer to email your letter directly, please save it in either .docx or .pdf format and send it as an email
attachment to Dr. Deb Kerstetter, 2014 Future Scholars Committee Chair, at debk@psu.edu with the phrase
“Future Scholar—insert student name” in the subject line.
Please note that while more than one student from an institution may apply for the Future Scholars Program,
only one student from any particular university will be selected in any given year
Thank you for supporting your student and the ALS Future Scholars Program. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact me by email (debk@psu.edu) or telephone (814) 863-8988.
Dr. Deb Kerstetter, 2014 Future Scholars Committee Chair