Articles & insights.
Resources, guides and partnership announcements from the AFA team.
What Is a Walk-On Athlete? Preferred, Recruited and Whether It Is Worth It
Walk-on, preferred walk-on and recruited walk-on mean three different things in practice. Here is what each one gets you, what it costs, and when a funded place elsewhere is the better call.
In the Transfer Portal With No Offers: What To Do Next
Thousands of athletes enter the portal every cycle and never receive a call. Here is what is actually happening, what still works in the last few weeks, and the route most athletes never hear about.
Graduate Assistantship vs a Master's Abroad: Which Funded Year Is Worth More?
One route pays you to work in a department for two years. The other funds a twelve-month degree and puts you back in competition. The comparison comes down to time, net cost and whether you still want to play.
How to Get a Graduate Assistantship: Timeline, Emails and What Actually Wins One
Assistantships are rarely won through the application portal. They are won by contacting the right department twelve months out, in the right language, with the right evidence attached.
JV vs Varsity: What Junior Varsity Actually Means
Varsity is the first team. Junior varsity is the level below it. Here is exactly how the two differ, how athletes move between them, and what happens to the distinction once you leave the American system.
Varsity vs Club Sports in the UK: What US Student-Athletes Need to Know
In the US, varsity is the top tier. In the UK, university sport is split between BUCS teams and external clubs. Here's how the two systems compare - and what it means for your eligibility, schedule and standard of play.