Sports Scholarships in the US- advice needed

[Paul Mc]

My son is looking to possibly take a Soccer scholarship in the US next year

Lots of companies offer to help source a university, but they also charge upto £1000 and more

Anyone whose son or daughter has goneover, or anyone who could advise on the best way to proceed?

Thanks

[Twa Cairpets]

My son is looking to possibly take a Soccer scholarship in the US next year

Lots of companies offer to help source a university, but they also charge upto £1000 and more

Anyone whose son or daughter has goneover, or anyone who could advise on the best way to proceed?

Thanks

PM sent

[DH1875]

You should speak to or try and contact the story so far. Top bloke who posts on here all the time. You can normally find him in the other sports section of the forum talking about american sports. Not sure how he done it but he went to uni over there.

[greenlex]

My son done a golf one after a company contacted him. Firstpoint USA. It wasn't as expensive as you suggest but have a look at their website. He liked the lifestyle and had no problems education wise but there wasn't enough competative golf for his liking. He only went for a year. After being back a full year the college he was at tried to temp him back with a 100% scholarship. He didn't go despite my best advice. He is doing fine here but I think he might look back in a few years and think what if.


http://www.firstpointusa.com/

[Pretty Boy]

It's something to be careful around. A lot of 'companies' will take your money and then claim to be unable to source a suitable place.

I was something i looked into quite seriously after falling out of professional football at 20 year old. I ended up going along to trials for a couple of agents in Glasgow and got to the 2nd and 3rd stages in Manchester and London respectively, unfortunately i didn't make it any further but enjoyed the experience.

Strangely companies who wanted deposits of £1000+ up front to 'source me a place' didn't seem overly fussed about seeing me play and were quite content to take my word for who i had played for and how good i was.

Ex Hibs player Joe McLaughlin runs a reputable company called soccer icon, details here http://www.soccericon.net/. And there are a lot of other decent companies/agents who won't charge a penny until they have firm offers in place from universities. If the offer comes along then go for it but tread carefully and be aware that the standard is exceptionally high with several English academy players, youth internationals and so on attending trials.

[khib70]

My son is looking to possibly take a Soccer scholarship in the US next year

Lots of companies offer to help source a university, but they also charge upto £1000 and more

Anyone whose son or daughter has goneover, or anyone who could advise on the best way to proceed?

Thanks
My son, then playing for Salvesens, went to a small college in Georgia on a soccer scholarship about 10 years ago. He then went to a larger college in Wisconsin on another soccer scholarship. He got tuition, accommodation, and excellent training throughout and thoroughly enjoyed it. He's toned down the soccer these days, but he used his scholarship to qualify as a lawyer, and is now practising near Milwaukee. He lives with his American wife, who he met at college, and my lovely American granddaughter.

So I guess you can say it was a big success for him. He does read this board sometimes ( he's still a diehard Hibee!), and I think he goes under Milwaukee Hibee. You could try a PM for more details, but I'll email him a link to this thread anyway, as I think he'd be interested in sharing his experiences.

I'm pretty sure his dealings were directly with the college and not with a separate company, so the advice above may well be worth taking.

[Paul Mc]

Thanks All - much appreciated


Paul

[NYHibby]

As an American who graduated from an American university, I would feel uncomfortable if one of my friends was paying someone to find him a scholarship.

I'd email a few coaches of universities at the playing level of your son to see what they would be looking for. It may be helpful if you have game tapes or a highlight reel of your son as they may be interested in that. After you figure out what you need to say and send to each coach, I'd send out letters to lots of coaches and see what kind of responses you get.

He'll also probably have to register for the NCAA clearinghouse and take the SAT. I'd read these http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/02e806804e0b8acd9d08fd1ad6fc8b25/International_Student_FAQ.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=02e806804e0b8acd9d08fd1ad6fc8b25
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/IS10.pdf