Frequently asked
questions
Sports in the Usa (5)
How are the divisions in the USA structured?
The NCAA DI is the largest and, overall, the strongest division. However, there are also teams in the NAIA and the NCAA DII that can keep up with the teams of the NCAA DI very well.
The level or performance of the teams does not directly determine whether a team plays in Division I or Division II, but the size of the universities and the number of sports offered usually determines in which division a university will play.
How do the competitions take place in the USA?
If you are successful in the conference (about 10 teams per conference), you can qualify for the “Regional Championships” and then for the “National Championships”. These enjoy high popularity and are often broadcasted on TV. During the semester of competition in the ball sports, 1-2 times a week you travel with your sports team to other, often far away universities to compete against them. In the individual sports, competitions usually take place in a 2-week rhythm.
What does a typical day as a "student athlete" look like?
What is the NCAA?
Due to the large audience, the popularity and the corresponding marketing through the media, university sports in the United States plays a bigger role than in any other country in the world.
The NCAA checks the eligibility of each athlete in the NCAA divisions. The NCAA will provide the athlete with a player’s license as without which they cannot compete in the NCAA division I or II. The factors that determine whether a player gets this permission or not, are their SAT test results and academic results. In addition, the Clearinghouse checks whether an athlete meets the “amateur” status according to American standards. The fee for registration is currently $120. For the eligibility of an athlete, the NCAA Clearinghouse is the final authority.
What are my chances of starting a professional sports career after college?
The table below demonstrates the number of participants in the Olympics per University, it shows that after your studies, all doors are open. Stanford University alone brought 46 Olympic competitors to Beijing.
The University of Florida alone represented 19 swimmers from 15 countries and the athletes from the University of Southern California alone won 21 medals in Beijing.
On the one hand, you get all the help you need to prepare your career as a professional after college. On the other hand, if things do not go as planned, for example, a serious injury occurs and you receive no professional contract, then at least you have completed an excellent education and you must look forward to a successful career in your field of interest.
Studies (9)
What can I study in the USA?
Are American universities even internationally recognized?
To answer your question, you can look at two of the most important worldwide university rankings, which show that the best universities in the world are mainly located in the USA and are therefore internationally recognized.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=438
Here you can also see that the European universities are unfortunately only occasionally internationally competitive compared to the American universities.
But that is great news for you. Without scholarships, these institutes simply cannot be paid. On top of that, the university pays for a large part or even all of your expenses and also offers you great conditions for your sport. At a university like Harvard, Stanford, Yale or any other top faculty, you have the best chances on the job market after your studies.
Isn't it difficult to do the whole study in English?
Will my academic achievements be accepted in Europe or anywhere else in the world?
Can I start my studies at home and continue them in the USA?
To be fair, we would like to point out the problems that can occur when you first study in Europe:
1. In the USA you are only eligible to start in the sports leagues until you have completed 8 full-time semesters, whether in Europe or the USA. Every semester you study in Germany will be deducted from your eligibility, so you might lose the chance to finish your studies in the USA if your credits from Europe are not recognized. If you only want to spend one year abroad in the USA or Canada, this is of course no problem.
2. The older you are, the less attractive you are to the trainers, as they would like to build you up over 4 years. With every semester that you are less eligible to compete, they lose the opportunity to develop you further.
How can I combine studies and sports?
Sure, you have to do a lot for good grades in the USA, too, but through the specific support of athletes this usually works out much better.
How do European and American university systems differ?
Where will I live / sleep / eat?
When and how long are semester breaks in the USA?
Winter break: Mid December to mid January
Spring break: 1 week in March
Fall break : 1 week in October
These vacations can be used for training camps or travel in the USA.
scholarships (10)
Where do the financial funds for the scholarship come from?
Why do universities award scholarships?
What are the requirements for studying and receiving a sport scholarship in the US or Canada?
How do I get a sports scholarship?
What is the amount of scholarship based on?
What part of the cost does an athletic scholarship cover?
What period of time does the scholarship cover?
Can I lose my scholarship?
How can Scholarbook help me?
What are the chances of receiving a full scholarship and what conditions must be fulfilled to receive it?
SAT and Toefl (14)
What is the SAT test?
What is the TOEFL test?
How is the TOEFL iBT structured?
Section | Time | No. of Questions |
Reading | 60-100 min | 36 – 70 |
Listening | 60-90 min | 34 – 51 |
Break | 10 min | |
Speaking | 20 min | 6 tasks |
Writing | 50 min | 2 tasks |
How do I find the TOEFL code for my university?
For example: Virginia Tech University search for www.vt.edu
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/univ0708.pdf
Which academic institutions accept my TOEFL score?
Is it possible to take a practice test?
- the free online tour allows you to view sample questions from all four test parts
- you can download the free TOEFL® iBT-Tips brochure
- TOEFL® Practice Online
This practice test provides a complete authentic TOEFL test for all four language skills with numerous exercises to help you prepare yourself and allows you to predict your official score as you will also receive results from the TOEFL Practice Online Test.
Furthermore, literature is recommended in our free help presentation.
Do I have to take both tests or is one enough?
How much preparation time do I need for the test approximately?
If you study 1-2 hours every day for the two tests, 6 weeks of preparation will probably be enough. If you study 1 hour three times a week for the tests, you should prepare for two and a half months.
How many points should I score on the TOEFL or SAT?
Do I have to indicate my future university when I enroll in TOEFL?
If you don’t know which university/college is right for you, they will send you a university identification number for the TOEFL and SAT tests. With this number, ETS knows to which university it should send your score.
On TOEFL I read that I really have to speak on the test. Do I then talk to a computer?
What do I need to take to the TOEFL and SAT tests?
For both the SAT and TOEFL, my name is on the registration form. However, I have two other names that I did not give on my application. Do I have to have this changed or will I still be admitted to the tests?
The SAT registration form says that you should bring a CD player. What do I need it for?
Financial (2)
What costs that are not covered by the sports scholarship?
What costs that are not covered by the sports scholarship?
Formalities (2)
When should I apply for my passport?
Will my child continue to receive child support if it studies in the USA?
Special questions (1)
My dream has always been to live or study in the USA. Unfortunately I am a junior high school student. I have read that it is still possible to take a certain test after graduation, is that right?
Consulting agreement (4)
In §1 it says: "1. the client hereby instructs the contractor to advise him on the following decisions/projects: To obtain a sports scholarship and, if applicable, an academic scholarship at a university in the U.S.A. of Canada. How may I understand the "if applicable" in relation to my position as an athlete? Does this refer to people who want to do sports in the USA and do not want to study?
Academic scholarships can also be awarded to athletes in addition to a sports scholarship, provided they have good grades and a good SAT score. See also: Costs
From when is § 3 para. 2 to be observed? This concerns the regular contact with the trainer in the USA.
Which certificate do I need to have translated?
Regarding §8 Confidentiality and data protection: Which entrusted personal data will be passed on exactly? And can agreements be made in this regard?
parents (12)
How often and how long can my child come home?
Summer break: Beginning of May until mid August
Winter break: mid December to mid January
All in all, you will have your child near you for about 4 months of the year, which will most likely mean more time together than studying in a distant city in your home country.
In addition, you can visit your child at any time during the year or during the spring vacation in March or the fall vacation in October in the USA.
What happens if my child does not like it at the university?
What can I do if my child gets into the wrong team/the wrong university?
We especially work with universities that already have several satisfied international students.