How to improve your profile to obtain a sports scholarship?

For many young people, the dream of competing in their sport and obtaining a quality education is attractive but challenging at the same time. Sports scholarships offer the possibility of doing precisely that, it is not easy, but it is not impossible either. There is great competition for these types of scholarships, and recruiters are not only looking for athletic talent, but also good academic performance and outstanding personal qualities. Here are some tips that could help you in your future as a student-athlete:

1. Get informed in advance: For a sports scholarship process, many factors must be taken into account, and it is important to inform yourself in advance. Before starting a process of obtaining a scholarship, at Propella we offer informative meetings, in which our clients become experts on the subject. At the meeting, we present the different requirements, regulatory entities, types of scholarships, organizations, benefits, risks, and much more. It is of utmost importance to us that our clients are correctly informed, so we provide them with the best possible advice, with as much information as possible.

2. Academic Excellence: Although athletic talent is important, coaches also value academic performance. Maintaining the highest grades possible is of great value, along with preparing for entrance exams such as the SAT, TOEFL, Duolingo, among others. It is also important to be able to communicate in a foreign language, such as English, for example, used in most institutions. Propella has an academic director and different tutors who will be helping you throughout the process, if you wish. A solid academic foundation demonstrates discipline and commitment, extremely important qualities for coaches.

3. Sports Talent: Stand out in sports. Training dedicatedly, participating in competitions, and working to continue improving your skills. Sports talent also includes other factors that develop as good habits; examples such as nutrition, sleep, and emotional management. At Propella we have a sports psychologist, who is responsible for supporting our student-athletes and providing them with all the necessary help to improve these aspects. Preparing well physically is extremely important to have good sports performance, which is why we also recommend diving fully into a physical conditioning program accompanied by your regular workouts. It is also important to consider participating in events such as our Showcase, or recruiting camps, where they will be able to demonstrate their skills in front of coaches to obtain a sports scholarship.

4. Create a sports profile: The development of a sports resume is of great value. A document that highlights achievements and skills. This same document may include relevant statistics, awards, recognitions, experiences, and so on. The most important thing is to collect videos, and update them whenever possible, in order to demonstrate to the coaches the level of your skills. Propella has editors and videographers who are at your service for the continuous improvement of the profile. We also have an application in which you have access to a database of more than 2,000 Universities. This application serves as an exhibition method, and you will have access to it once we start the process.

5. Be persistent: The process of obtaining an athletic scholarship can be challenging, and sometimes exhausting. Don't be discouraged by rejections, and keep working hard for your goals. We recommend not comparing your processes with that of your friends, everyone is different and may be more affected than benefited. Also, maintain a positive attitude and focus on your goals, in order to take advantage of the opportunity that arises, in the best possible way. As a team, we are committed to finding options that fit your preferences, but it is important to raise awareness of the fact that people all over the world are looking for the same opportunities. That being said, we have an extremely extensive network of contacts and will pursue opportunities until you are satisfied.

In short, obtaining a sports scholarship requires total commitment both in training and games, as well as in the classroom. The better your profile, the better opportunities you will have. With the help of Propella, you will have personalized advice, and we will guide you in the best way possible. Our sports advisors have already had the experience of being student-athletes abroad, and can guide you in the best way.