Question 1

My child wants to go on an adventure in America, what can I expect as a parent?

Accepted Answer

Of course it's super exciting when your child wants to go or is already about to catch the plane to America. You are not the only one who has had this exciting period, read all the stories about parents' experiences here!
Discover the stories of parents who have experienced what it feels like when their child grabs the plane and leaves for America. You can read about the journey of the parents of hockey players Florine Gerrits and Sophie Willemse, the experiences of the mother of tennis player Anne van Binsbergen, the pride of the father of swimmer Max van Schagen , the experience of the mother of soccer player Gijs van Eldik, the findings of the father of football player Eef Kerkhof and the support of the father of volleyball player Liselotte Spoormakers.

Know that you can always come to KingsTalent with questions or doubts. Our support does not stop once your child leaves for America. We are ready to help and guide you. Your child and yourself are not alone in this adventure - we are here to support you every step of the way!

Question 2

Working on campus, what about that?

Accepted Answer

In the United States, you may work alongside your studies, but the opportunities vary by visa. An F1 visa only allows you to do on-campus work, which means you can only work for a company located on campus. This could be in a café, administrative position, library or as a tutor, for example. However, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week in addition to your studies.

Question 3

What is the difference between a Showcase and a Try-Out?

Accepted Answer

The biggest and most important difference is that a showcase involves coaches flying in from America to scout boys and girls who are in our program for their university. A Try-Out is about collecting footage if you are already in the program with us or to see if sports and studying in America is something for you.

Check here  to see when the next Try-Out/Showcase is!

Question 4

What is a Try-Out?

Accepted Answer

Several times a year, KingsTalent organizes several Try-Outs for talents to see if playing sports and studying in America is for them. There are Try-Outs for men's soccer, women's soccer and women's field hockey. These are training sessions and matches where you can show yourself, get information about sports and studying in America and collect visual material.

Check here when the next try-out is and sign up!

Question 5

What is a scholarship?

Accepted Answer

A scholarship is the money a student receives to lower the tuition costs of playing sports and studying in America. Students who are good at school or sports can get this money. American universities have money to give away as scholarships to good students. There are two types of scholarships: for sports (Athletic) and for school (Academic). The sports coaches give the athletic scholarships, and the university decides how many academic scholarships to give.

Question 6

What is the difference between fall season and spring season?

Accepted Answer

This differs by sport. You have two seasons, in one season there is a lot of focus on sports. You are on the road a lot for your sport and have less free time. You are constantly busy with sports and studies. In the other season you don't have official matches, but you still have practice matches. You are still a lot busy with kind but now you also have more free time for some hours to work, do fun things, trips but also more time for your studies. The 'fall' semester normally begins in late August or early September and ends in mid-December. The 'spring' semester runs from mid-January to mid-May.
Soccer and Hockey, for example, are fall sports and softball/baseball, lacrosse and tennis are spring sports.

Want to read more about these? Then check out the blog on a look back at the fall season!

Question 7

What sports do we assist?

Accepted Answer

Soccer, Water Polo, Lacrosse, Golf, Hockey, Volleyball, Swimming, Basketball, Baseball/Softball, Rowing, Athletics, Gymnastics and Tennis. Is your sport not listed? Don't hesitate to fill out the registration form anyway!

Question 8

What is Grade Point Average (GPA)?

Accepted Answer

GPA stands for Grade Point Average. America has a different numerical count than the Netherlands. In the education system, the Netherlands has the point scale 1 to 10. America has a 0 to 4 scale. Admission to American colleges or universities looks at a variety of values. The GPA or Grade Point Average is an important part of whether a student can be accepted. The higher your GPA is, the higher your chances of being admitted by the school in America. Want to know more about GPA? Then read our blog here!

Question 9

Can I take a gap year in America

Accepted Answer

Yes, definitely! You can take 1,2 or 4 years depending on what you want. We will look at the possibilities with you. Is this something for you? Then contact us and leave your details on this page. We will contact you within a few working days to discuss your possibilities.

Question 10

What are the academic requirements to study in the United States?

Accepted Answer

In order to be able to study at an university or college in the United States, you are required to meet the same minimum standards as higher education (HBO) in the Netherlands. So either a MBO, HAVO or VWO diploma are required.

The education system in the United States is different than the Netherlands. Schools in the United States, besides the minimum requirements, also determine their own academic requirements, which means they differ from school to school. One school has incredibly high requirements while another has slightly lower requirements. Therefor, your grades are essential.

Do you doubt whether your background meets the requirements or would you like to know more about your situation? Then contact us by filling in the following form.

Question 11

What is the level of sport in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The athletic level in the United States for each sport, sports association, conference and school. The level ranges from the highest level, which is close to professional sports, to amateur level. KingsTalent believes every athlete should be able to play college sports, as long as they meet the minimum academic requirements.

Interested in learning more about your opportunity to play college sports? Fill in this form and we will contact you within three working days after reviewing your information! Together we will discuss your options for an unforgettable adventure.

Question 12

What are my chances to play and study in the United States?

Accepted Answer

At KingsTalent, we have years of experience guiding talented student-athletes. Every single athlete who joins KingsTalent enjoys a great commitment from our devoted Sports Consultants who are available day and night! Once you’ve joined KingsTalent and have met the athletic and academic requirements of playing college sports, you have a 90% chance of becoming a student-athlete. A number we couldn’t achieve without the commitment and attention we provide our athletes. Since every single athlete has different wishes and needs and possibilities, we tailor-make every athlete’s trajectory to achieve the desired outcome.

By having a success rate of 90%, it is very likely that we can find a school for you that meets your personal, academic and athletic needs. Do you want to know more about your possibilities playing college sports? Sign up now and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can. After analyzing your details we will together discuss what possibilities you have to play college sports in the US!

Question 13

How much does it cost to study in the United States for a year?

Accepted Answer

Studying in the United States is expensive and generally much more expensive than in the Netherlands. The costs of studying in the US for a year (‘cost of attendance’) range between $25.000 to $70.000 a year. These costs are completely dependent on the school and the education of your choice. The above mentioned figures include all costs, such as tuition, living on campus, food, insurance, books, etc.

With an athletic scholarship and/or an academic scholarship, these figures will go down significantly or in some cases will be paid for completely. All this depends on your academic and athletic background.

Find out whether you are eligible for an athletic or academic scholarship by filling out the following form. After evaluating your details, we will contact you within three working days to discuss together your opportunities for such an unforgettable adventure .

Question 14

Who decides whether I will receive a scholarship from an American university?

Accepted Answer

Whether you receive a scholarship is completely up to the coach of the athletic team.

Question 15

What are my chances of obtaining a scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Considering the costs involved, without receiving a scholarship it is nearly impossible to study in the United States. How likely it is for you to qualify for an academic or athletic scholarship depends on a number of factors, such as your grades as well as your athletic ability. The amount you will receive therefor differs for every individual. Up front, we present athletes with a realistic estimation of what scholarship offers they can aspect based on their grades and athletics. In the end, KingsTalent plays the decisive role in obtaining these scholarships.

Question 16

What age do I need to be to play sports and study in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Age in itself is not a requirement to play sports and study in the United States, however your academic and athletic background are. In fact, these are crucial factors that determine your options in the United States.

Do you want to know if you qualify for the requirements of becoming a student-athlete in the US? Fill out the following form and we will contact you as soon as we can. After analyzing your details we will together discuss your possibilities to play sports and study in the US.

Question 17

I have already started college. Can I still become a student-athlete in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Although a lot our athletes become freshman in the United States, you can also join a college or university in the United States as a transfer student. A transfer student is a student who has completed one or multiple years of college and wants to continue their education in the United States through a ‘transfer of credit’. The most important part for a transfer student is to transfer the grades and credits to an American institution where the athlete can continue and graduate. At KingsTalent, we have a lot of experience working with transfer students.

Are you a student currently enrolled in college considering to become a student-athlete in the United States? Then fill out our sign-up form and we will contact you to discuss your possibilities!

Question 18

I have already from or am about to graduate from my college or university. Can I still become a student-athlete in the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! You can still join a university or college as a ‘Graduate Student’ where you will be enrolled in a masters program.

Question 19

Which school and study can I choose from?

Accepted Answer

KingsTalent has a network of more than a thousand American universities and coaches. Based on your academic and sporting background and skills and of course your personal wishes and requirements, certain schools are a match and certain schools may not. Also, your choice of an American university is probably limited by the number of coaches who show interest in you and offer you a scholarship. Ultimately, you decide for yourself which school you want to go to based on the best match and all available information. Depending on the university you choose, you can choose a study at this school. American universities generally offer many studies and you choose the study that suits you best.

Question 20

Which tests do I have to take

Accepted Answer

To be accepted into an American school, you will need to take a couple of tests. Which tests you have to take depend on your academic background. If you are moving to the United States as a ‘Freshman’, you will most likely have to take both the SAT as well as the TOEFL. The SAT tests both your English and Math, while the TOEFL tests your knowledge in English, more specifically your reading, speaking, listening and writing.

If you are ‘Transfer Student’ or ‘Graduate Student’, you will probably only have to take the TOEFL, which tests your reading, speaking listening and writing. The TOEFL can be made on set dates and locations in the Netherlands.

Question 21

What is a &#8220;showcase&#8221;?

Accepted Answer

A showcase is an event where you can play in front of college coaches from the United States who have flown to the Netherlands just to see our athletes play each other. In other words, the showcase is the perfect opportunity to show your qualities to these coaches. KingsTalent annually organizes a number of showcases for various sports. If you are interested in learning more about these showcase, please visit this page.

Question 22

Can I become a professional player after graduation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. The sports system in the United States is set up completely different than is the case in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, to a certain extent, you are forced to pick between your athletic and academic career, as combining them can become too challenging. The American system allows players to combine study with sports, which provides them with the benefit of playing at the highest level while obtaining a degree that leads to job opportunities.

Professional sports in the United States is organized in such a manner it focuses on signing the best college athletes, also known as the ‘Draft’. During the draft, professional clubs sign the best college athletes.

Therefor, athletes definitely have a chance to sign a professional contract after graduation from their colleges or universities. Some great examples are Marios Lomis and Job Derksen. Marios left VV Noordwijk for Creighton University before siging a professional contract with North Carolina FC. Job Derkson joined Olivet Nazarene University and upon returning home signed a professional contract with FC Twente. Find out more about our greatest kings here

Question 23

When do I have to sign up with KingsTalent?

Accepted Answer

After deciding to become a student-athlete an extensive process follows, which includes many steps, such as taking tests, producing a highlight video, the conversations with the coaches and the participation in the showcase. On the other hand, coaches from universities and colleges in the United States like to recruit early, in order to have a solid team for the next year.

The duration of the process varies for every athlete, for six months for some, to twelve months for others. We recommend signing up in time, because the earlier you will receive the information about your possibilities of becoming a student-athlete in the US, the better your decision you make for your future!

Good to know & FAQ

Unique combination

Welcome in the spotlight

Elite facilities

Finding your level

GO PRO

Network

Resume

English language

Travel

FAQ