FAQ

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY TO PRODREAMUSA?

 

There is no specific time or age when you should apply to ProDreamUSA, however experience has taught us that the more time we have to work with a candidate, the more chance we have of receiving a significant scholarship. Our preference would be to begin working with clients before they have completed Year 11 in England and Wales; 4th year in Scotland; or Junior Certs in Ireland.

 

WHY ARE SOME US UNIVERSITIES REFERRED TO AS COLLEGES?
 

In the United States, the word "school" describes any place where people learn. You can call a college a "school". You can even call a university a "school".

 

US university or college follows after high school, or secondary school. A college in the US is not a high school or secondary school. College and university programs begin in the thirteenth year of school, when a student is 17 or 18 years old or older. A two-year college offers an associate's degree, as well as certificates. A four-year college or university offers a bachelor's degree. Programs that offer these degrees are called "undergraduate" schools.

 

You can earn a bachelor's degree at either a college or a university. However, students in the USA prefer to use the word "college" rather than the word "university" when they talk about four-year undergraduate programs and the bachelor's degree. They use phrases like, “going to college" and "a college degree," when they talk about undergraduate programs at either a college or a university.

 

WILL I STUDY GOLF?
 

You will study and take exams like every other student at your College, in whichever field you choose to study. This can be sports related, providing that the College you attend offers a sports related degree, but it’s by no means mandatory. Most student-athletes will study a degree that is in no way linked to sport.

 

WHAT IS COVERED IN A FULL SCHOLARSHIP?
 

A full scholarship will cover the cost of tuition fees, accommodation, meals, books and all costs associated with your sport. In some cases, it will also cover health insurance, although this varies from College to College. Many Colleges will have golf clubs provided by a sponsor manufacturer but again this varies from College to College.

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WHAT IS A PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP?
 

A partial scholarship is where a university offers to fund part of what is listed under 'full scholarship' above. This means that the coach would expect you to contribute towards the cost of attending the College.

 

For example, if the total cost of a full scholarship was $40,000 and the coach offered a 75% scholarship ($30,000), you would be left to pay 25%, in this case $10,000.

 

WHAT WONT A SCHOLARSHIP COVER?
 

• Flights to and from the USA

• Travel insurance

• Health insurance (unless specified by University)

• Spending money

 

WHY DO PRODREAMUSA CHARGE AN UP-FRONT FEE

 

ProDreamUSA’s fee is for the provision of services including, but not exclusive to; pre-qualifying the academic & athletic eligibility of its clients and successfully guiding them through the entirety of the scholarship process. The NCAA dictates that no company is permitted to charge a fee for its services based on scholarship offers secured for its clients.

 

WHAT ADDITIONAL COSTS DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR?
 

Regardless of whether you receive a full or partial scholarship award, you will have to consider the following additional costs:

 

• SAT test: $95

• F1 Student Visa: £280

• Health insurance: Estimate £200-£300 per year

• Spending money

• NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Centre registration: $150/$135

• Flights to and from the USA

 

DO YOU GUARANTEE A SCHOLARSHIP OFFER?
 

NCAA rules prohibit any company or individual from guaranteeing your successful placement at an American college or university with an athletic scholarship. NCAA rules state: “A prospective student-athlete may allow a scouting service or agent to distribute personal information to member institutions without jeopardizing his or her eligibility, provided the fee paid to such an agent is not based on placing the prospective student-athlete in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid." (see NCAA rule 12.3.3.1 ‘Talent Evaluation Services & Agents’).

WHAT IS THE STANDARD OF GOLF IN THE US COLLEGE SYSTEM?
 

The NCAA D1 is very competitive.  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes is mostly comprised of smaller private universities.  The athletic and academic standards are not as high as with the NCAA. Just because the athletic standard is lower than with the NCAA, it doesn’t mean that the NAIA isn’t competitive or is subpar. 

 

The general guidelines of what coaches are looking for in a golfer can be found in the link below.

 

 

Golfer Ability Guidelines >>

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IS A US DEGREE THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE IN THE UK?
 

According to the world university rankings compiled by the Times Higher Education, more than half of the world’s top 200 universities are located in the USA. Read article. There are several types of degree programs in the US: Associates, Bachelors, Masters, PhD, all of which are all globally recognised qualifications.

HOW MANY COLLEGES WILL PRODREAMUSA PROMOTE ME TO?
 

ProdreamUSA will market you to the entire nation. This is a NCAA rule, as every college coach in America must be given the equal chance to recruit you. After this national promotion specific schools can be targeted, and clients can engage in dialogue.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
 

The various stages of the process can be found in our Services section and cover a wide range of the key aspects required to support you from the start to the finish of your journey.