SMI PROGRAM BENEFITS

Exclusive Sport Business Travel Experience
SMI students will embark upon an exclusive spring travel experience led by SM faculty that includes day trips to sports properties and urban entertainment districts in the region. Transportation costs will be covered by the school; students needing financial assistance for meals or other incidentals while on travel may apply for a school grant.

Gap Semester
SMI 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, 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
SMI students will be part of a small cohort that takes classes together. SMI students will have guaranteed course enrollment during winter and spring terms.

Immersive Core Classes
SMI students will fulfill core requirements for the Sport Management Program through immersive, experiential courses, including:

• Winter 2026
  • SM 100: Sport Management Seminar
  • SM 101: Public & Small Group Comm
  • SM 111: Historic & Sociologic Issues in Sport
  • 1-2 LSA classes
• Spring 2026
  • SM 203: Intro to Sport Management
  • SM 217: Business Communications
  • SM 246: Marketing Principles
  • SMI Travel Experience

Note: Courses are subject to change based upon faculty and course availability.

Graduate on Time
In September 2026, SMI students will join the SM Fall 2025 cohort, fully on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport management in the typical four-year period.

VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS

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

Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. ET
OR
Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Please RSVP here

After you RSVP, you'll receive a link to the info session.
Can't attend? RSVP to receive a link to the recording.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the Sport Management Immersion (SMI) Program? The January 2026 cohort of the SMI Program is specifically for first-year students who were previously waitlisted for and then accepted into the University of Michigan Movement Sport Management Program. Unfortunately, transfer students are not eligible for the SMI Program.

2. What differentiates SMI from the SM fall admissions cohort? SMI 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, SMI 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 2026 terms. Most significantly, SMI students will engage in an exclusive spring professional development experience with sport management faculty.

3. What can I do during my gap semester? We recommend that SMI 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 SM 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 SMI program? 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 SMI? 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 Term 2026? Spring term runs from the beginning of May to the end of June.

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 SMI Program. Upon successful completion of winter and spring terms, SMI students will join the SM Fall 2025 cohort in Fall 2026 fully on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport management in the typical four-year period.

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

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 SMI Program? You must officially confirm your interest in the SMI Program 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 SMI Program? Once you've confirmed your interest in being considered for the SMI Program 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 SMI program, will I still be on the Fall 2025 waitlist? No. If you accept the offer to enroll in the SMI Program, 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 SMI Program? Please email [email protected].