First Point USA

Hi,
i am a 17 year old who has been offered a contract at first point usa and is wondering if there is better options for me as the consultancy fee is a little out of my price range i have searched other companies but i was asking for individual advice and experience? also would like to hear possibilitys, realistically if i was willing to travel over there for trials off my own back would that be a better option i believe i have a good sporting CV and a ok academic background but would like to hear your opinions and experiences to help me with my future.

(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 1

riley92

Hi,
I'm 18 and currently on a 'gap year' after finishing my A-levels last summer. I joined FPUSA last August and am now at the clearing department stage and promotion to US colleges. After weeks of research and looking through all NCAA, NAIA schools i've made a 'shortlist' (which still includes over 30 colleges) of a mix of colleges that i think would suit me. FPUSA have put together a good piece of video footage for me and my online profile has been online a few weeks. I have interest and offers from 4 colleges so far, 3 NAIA and one NCAA and the clearing team haven't started promoting me to my shortlisted uni's yet. I would recommend FPUSA as me and my family were planning last summer on trying to get me a scholarship off our own backs, but in the end we realised, after heading up to Glasgow and having several meetings with the FPUSA founder and staff that they were the best choice for me to achieve a scholarship. They also helped me prepare for the SAT and i believe by going through FP i have received every piece of detail i need to prepare for heading to America this summer. Hope this was of help.

Reply 2

rvkus01

Generally, it depends upon what league you want to play in NCAA 1,2,3 or NJCAA (Junior College) or NAIA. These stages do by no means represent the standard of the teams as you will find NCAA div 1 teams in the top 50 will often be beaten by NJCAA teams in the top 10. It simply represent's the size of the school while NCAA div 1 schools have a lot more money but NCAA div 3 schools may have a lot cheaper tuition fee's therefore there are many differences between the division's and your choice depends upon what you want to study, where you want to be located (rural,suburban,urban) and what type of package you can be offered from the coach.
I will stress the importance of visiting the university/college FIRST. You need to see where it is located, whether you like the program, how easy is transportation around the area, what type of living arrangement's will be offered and of course what the coach thinks of you in a try-out. Not many coaches will gamble on a highlight video but will be more convinced seeing you play. Look at it like buying a product, generally you want to see the product and get a good idea on how it works before you put the money forward. Soccer Coaches only have a small amount of financial assistance to offer new recruits coming in so therefore they are less interested in gambling on an athlete they have never even met or seen play before unlike American players which they have been scouting all through their high school careers.
Get in contact with schools, ask for an official visit, try and knock out as many try out's as you can and see what the coach's can offer you.

Reply 3

Samung

Original post by oggers93

. . .

Original post by rvkus01

Generally, it depends upon what league you want to play in NCAA 1,2,3 or NJCAA (Junior College) or NAIA. These stages do by no means represent the standard of the teams as you will find NCAA div 1 teams in the top 50 will often be beaten by NJCAA teams in the top 10. It simply represent's the size of the school while NCAA div 1 schools have a lot more money but NCAA div 3 schools may have a lot cheaper tuition fee's therefore there are many differences between the division's and your choice depends upon what you want to study, where you want to be located (rural,suburban,urban) and what type of package you can be offered from the coach.
I will stress the importance of visiting the university/college FIRST. You need to see where it is located, whether you like the program, how easy is transportation around the area, what type of living arrangement's will be offered and of course what the coach thinks of you in a try-out. Not many coaches will gamble on a highlight video but will be more convinced seeing you play. Look at it like buying a product, generally you want to see the product and get a good idea on how it works before you put the money forward. Soccer Coaches only have a small amount of financial assistance to offer new recruits coming in so therefore they are less interested in gambling on an athlete they have never even met or seen play before unlike American players which they have been scouting all through their high school careers.
Get in contact with schools, ask for an official visit, try and knock out as many try out's as you can and see what the coach's can offer you.

This. Research the academics of the university. Don't just choose a school because you want to play soccer--then you'll just end up with a crappy degree that isn't worth anything. Also, you can reach out the coaches yourself. Many universities have athletic sites that have information for students interested in playing for their university.

http://www.ncaa.org/

Link for rankings of soccer teams in ncaa divisions 1-3 http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/championships/soccer+championship+men

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 4

Footie

Hiya - just at first stage of a Soccer Scholarship in USA - just booked into a Presentation/Assessment Day in March.

Has anyone been through the process. Any info or advice before I go. It's seems quite a lot of conflicting opinions about First Point???

Thanks

Reply 5

rvkus01

Well yeah it's a lot of money and it seems like there have been conflicting opinions about whether it's worth such substantial amounts or not. I know there is Athletes-USA which is the world's largest sport scholarship agency. For a small amount they offer access to they're online system which enables you to be in contact with as many coaches as you like. They have a database of 20,000 coaches. Good to go check out the assessment and see what you think, When I went on a scholarship to the States I went to a try out and was accepted although I decided to recruit myself instead and never looked back.

Reply 6

bierton k

Was the first point usa trial legit? I have been invited to an assessment day but reviews said it was 'dodgy'?

Reply 7

__lovestatts

What does FPUSA stand for?

Reply 8

Nel123

2

Hey, I'm 15, 16 next year march I'm from London. I was wondering how old do I need to be to apply for First point USA, I'm interested in football(soccer) and Track and field. WIll playing university/college soccer help me get into the MLS at all? I'm currently at trial at brentford, I am trying to keep my options open. Thanks.

Reply 9

Glennagutu

You have to be 15-22 and D1 NCAA college soccer is one of the easiest ways to get into MLS if you live in the UK!

Reply 10

ThePaperReviewer

3

I'm attending an FPUSA trial later this month and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me all the different financial issues I'd need to take into consideration if I was to go out to the states through first point.

Reply 11

awr1264

1

My son used FPUSA for a soccer scholarship in 2008. It was a lot of work sorting out SATS exam, sending off education qualifications, sorting out visa.Waiting for a college to contact you with an offer of a scholarship. He received a part scholarship which meant we had to pay for his accommodation/food/portion of tuition fees. It was a scary thought all this money being spent, but in the end it was money well spent. My son said it was the best decision he had done to go to a US College/Uni. He got his degree and an experience he will never forget. Just need to remember when on a scholarship you must keep your grades up/good behaviour - otherwise you can be suspended from playing your chosen sport even worse sent back home.You also need to consider travel costs home in between term times.

Reply 12

semahmonkey

1

hi how much did you get through the scholarship system and how much did you have to pay in total? thank you

Reply 13

Eeyore2502

1

Our daughter has been offered a contract but we are concerned about the large fee and the worry if she will get offered anything, if not a full scholarship what sort of fees are due as she could be offered something that we can’t afford.

Reply 14

Eeyore2502

1

Any idea of what fees could be left to pay if fully scholarship isn’t paid? Daughter is after been offered a contact and worried about handing over so much money to then either get nothing for it or an offer for something we can’t afford

Reply 15

DonKodai

1

Check out U90 College Australia. Best agency for International Students wanting to study in the United States. Clients are from all over the world and they offer personalised services that if not available at some of the big agencies. Not only do they work 1:1, but also help for all 4 years and with additional services such as transfers, support if someone wants to do professional etc, all built into the services. Check them out especially for Women's soccer as there is a lot of success on that front.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 16

jusgin1980

1

Hi my faughter Is in the same situation , how did u get on ?

First Point USA

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