Why Study in the
USA?If you are an athlete or parent and your reading about studying and playing in the USA you might be asking yourself one simple question… WHY?
A second chance at a professional contract
Well, first things first, if you still harbor dreams of making a career out of sports such as football the U.S college system provides the perfect stepping stone in order to help you achieve that. The average age for players to sign their first pro contract in the U.S is 22. Giving athletes far more time to develop. Whereas the typical age in the UK and Europe for players to sign their first pro contracts is at age 18. The U.S College sporting system acts in the same way youth academies do for young athletes in the UK and Europe. The athletes who perform the best throughout their college playing career will then move onto the professional leagues through the American draft system that is in place for all major sports including soccer, American football, basketball and baseball. But please be aware that this opportunity is only reserved for the very few elite athletes who consistently prove themselves throughout their college career.
Play & train like a pro while earning a degree in your chosen field of study
During your time as a student-athlete, you will be expected to maintain a professional standard playing and training routine. College sports in the U.S are serious business and you will have access to high-class facilities and staff to aid your training and playing development. College sports fans are passionate about their college teams and you will be expected to uphold the pride of the student population and all fans. Top-level collegiate games will be broadcasted on national channels including ESPN. Life as a studentathlete in the USA will be a taste of what professional life may look like. Something you will not find in the UK or anywhere else in the world. While your playing development is important you will be expected to maintain a high level in the classroom in your chosen degree of study. This is all part of the American student-athlete life.
Cost Factors
Cost factors are increasingly becoming a leading reason that UK students are looking to the US as an option. With the majority of universities in the UK now charging between £8,000-£9,000 annually in tuition ($10,300-$11,600), and with the announcement in July 2016 from the Conservative Universities minister Jo Johnson that costs are set to continue to rise in 2017 surpassing £9,000. It is no surprise that UK students are looking for alternative options abroad. However, the cost of tuition at US institutions varies greatly. While some US institutions charge more than £30,000 in tuition each year ($45,000), others cost much less. Those with athletic talent seeking sports based scholarships will have a further added advantage in reducing fees especially those on The NAC’s program. Many other students are able to fund their undergraduate studies through various types of scholarships from US universities and external funding bodies. Generally, these scholarships are based on academic merit, extracurricular achievement, financial need, special talent and/or personal characteristics, such as country of origin, field, gender or ethnicity. And, in many US states, the cost of living for university students is significantly less than in the UK!
FullBright Commission Surveys
There are multiple benefits to studying in the US, but don’t just take our word for it! Each summer The Fullbright commission survey UK students before they go over here are the top reasons they say why they’ve chosen to study in the U.S:
1. Choose from the wide range of universities on offer –
There are over 4,500 US universities offering undergraduate degrees. With such a wide range of universities and degrees on offer, there is bound to be one that is a great fit for you!
2. Experience American college life –
US universities are known for their vibrant campus life. Cheer your university’s football (American that is) and of course soccer teams to victory or play intramural sports yourself. Join a club – there are hundreds to choose from. Become a leader in student government, or write for the university newspaper. Act or sing in the campus arts program or volunteer in the community. There are so many ways to get involved in American college life.
3. Have the flexibility to explore your academic interests before choosing your major –
Undergraduate degrees in the US are quite flexible. You can apply to US universities as “undecided” about your major (field of study). Under the “liberal arts philosophy”, you will take classes from a variety of subjects during the first 1 – 2 years before specialising in your major field. Students who already know what they want to study can complete a “double major”, degrees in two academic fields often completed within the normal four years of study. Students may also earn a minor qualification for completing 3-5 classes in one field.
4. Take advantage of funding opportunities: –
Many students are able to fund their studies through scholarships from US universities and external funding bodies. In fact, about 21% of international students report US universities as their primary source of funding for 2014-15 (Open Doors 2015). Scholarships are often offered to students based on merit, extracurricular achievement, financial need, talent and/or personal characteristics, such as country of origin, field, gender or ethnicity. If you look hard enough, there is a scholarship out there for you!
5. Internationalise and strengthen your CV –
Studying and working abroad can make you stand out in the job market when you return to the UK. According to a Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) survey of 230 UK companies, one in three employers valued job applicants with international study experience, while 65% of employers favored applicants with overseas work experience. International students in the US have the opportunity to gain work experience during their studies and to work in the US for up to one year after graduation on the Optional Practical Training scheme. Students in the sciences and engineering stay on for up to two years.
6. Travel in the US and learn about another culture –
The US spans six time zones and has a great diversity in geography and culture. Long university summer holidays and programs organised by the international students office, such as holiday trips and host family schemes, offer students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the US and immerse themselves in another culture.