The following independent research was conducted by Dr David Pierce at Ball State University, Indiana.

Most Difficult Aspects of International University Experience

Note: Respondents could have multiple answers in their written response

Important Factors for Successful Transition to University Life

Note: Respondents could have multiple answers in their written response

Source of Information Regarding Athletic Opportunity in the United States

We would like to thank all of our clients who participated in our soccer client games in Glasgow on Monday 20th February.

Our Sports Consultants were pleased with the overall standard and agreed that there were some great performances.

John, Simone and Kev have put forward their nominations for Man of the Match from this game :

Kieran Pettigrew

Alistair Morgan

Well done guys!

Congratulations to Jack Moore, who has secured a soccer scholarship to the University of West Alabama!

Well done Jack, hope you enjoy your time in the USA! Best of luck!

In the USA, college rivalries run deeper than just the game.  Check out our run-down of the top ten College Rivalries in American Colleges – a need to know if you are heading out to the USA!……

10.  Lafayette vs Lehigh

Lafayette leading 76-62-5. 

The two institutions are located seventeen miles apart in eastern Pennsylvania. This is the most-played rivalry in college football history, having played 147 times since 1884, with only a single interruption in 1896.  The Rivalry is so old, that it predates football trophies: the winning team just used to keep the game ball.  In 2006, ESPNU ranked the Rivalry No.8 in their Top Ten College Football rivalries, and Sports Illustrated has told its readers that seeing it “is something you have to do once in your life.”

9.  Nebraska vs Oklahoma

Oklahoma leads the series 42-37-3

Also known as “OU-Nebraska”, this is an American college football rivalry game played by the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team of the University of Nebraska, and the Oklahoma Sooners football team of the University of Oklahoma.  The rivalry continued in the Big 12 Conference until 2010, although the rivalry was more prominent when both teams were members of the former Big Eight Conference before 1996.  These teams have been involved in several historic match-ups, such as the Game of the Century, where the teams came into the game ranked one and two in the Associated Press Poll, often making these games of great importance in deciding the national championship. Historically, the rivalry’s most distinguishing quality had been the grudging respect and appreciation between the two tradition-rich programs. Also of note is the game’s former status as the premier Thanksgiving Day game for the middle of the country.  The 1971 game was considered by many to be the greatest college football game of all-time.

8.  Texas vs Texas A&M

Texas leads the series, 70-34-5

For 117 years, the Texas and Texas A&M rivalry has epitomized college football.  These schools have met every year since 1915 and their fight songs explicitly reference each other.  This rivalry was voted the top college football rivalry in a USA Today online poll.

7.  Florida State vs Miami

Miami leads 30-23

Since 1987, Florida State has missed out on playing for the national championships five times, because of losses to Miami.  The two teams have met 13 times in the last 18 years when both were ranked in the top 10.  Since 1983, these two teams have combined for more national titles than any other two rivals in the country.

 6.  Florida vs Georgia

Georgia leads the series 46-37-2

This rivalry attracts huge crowds, and the associated tailgating and other events earned it’s nickname as the “world’s largest outdoor cocktail party”. This rivalry is one of only a few that is played on a neutral site – Jacksonville, Florida.  The first game acknowledged by both schools was held in 1915, and except for the 1943 season when Florida did not field a team during World War II , the teams have met every year since 1926.

 5.  USC vs Notre Dame

Notre Dame leads 42-32-5

This is a game played by the Notre Dame fighting Irish football team of the University of Notre Dame, and the USC Trojans football team of the University of Southern California.  Notre Dame and USC have traditionally been counted amongst the elite programs in college football – the winner of this game has gone on to win the national title of 19 times, plus these two schools have produced 11 Heisman winners.  This football rivalry, which began in 1926, is considered to be one of the most important rivalries in college football.

4.  Army vs Navy

Navy leads 52-41-6

This game most likely has more history and tradition than any other rivalry in the country. It also plays a significant role in determining the recipient of the Commander-In-Chief trophy.

3.  Ohio State vs Michigan

Michigan leads 57-41-6

Ohio State players get a gold charm in the shape of a pair of pants if they win. Since 1913, the two teams have combined for all or part of 70 Big Ten titles and have finished 1-2 in the standings 15 times since 1968.

2.  Alabama vs Auburn

Alabama leads 38-33-1

The passion and hatred between these two schools is unlike any other. The teams didn’t play from 1907 to 1948 – apparently after the 1907 game as they couldn’t decide which referees to use.

1.  Oklahoma vs Texas

Texas leads 58-40-5

Known as the “Red River Shootout” – the winning team’s state is said to get “ownership” of the Red River until the next game. Played on a neutral field in Dallas, Texas, exactly halfway between the two campuses – Austin, Texas, and Norman, Oklahoma.

Congratulations to Lucy Cunningham who has been nominated by our staff as the very first “FirstPoint USA Athlete of the Month” for January 2012.

Lucy, who currently plays with Everton Ladies FC,  has recently secured a Soccer scholarship to the University of Memphis, in Tennessee.  Although, we regularly hear many success stories and have many outstanding athletes on our program, Lucy has been nominated by our staff as Athlete of the Month, for January.

“Lucy is a very talented right back, who is lightning quick.  Her attack from the back is very dangerous and is a weapon for any team.  Off the field, Lucy has always been a pleasure to work with.  She has done everything we have asked of her with no problems and is always a pleasure to speak with.  She is easy to get in contact with, and is eager to listen to all advice and guidance we support her with.  She is very switched on about the process in America, and about what is expected of her.  She is extremely driven and passionate about playing at a high level in the States and has now secured a scholarship to The University of Memphis.  I have no doubt that Lucy will enjoy success throughout her time in the U.S. Good luck Lucy!”

-Nicole Montoya (Client Services, FirstPoint USA)

We caught up with Lucy to find out more about her and her scholarship to the University of Memphis:

Sporting background

“I have played football ever since I was little with my two older brothers and cousins, as we all lived on the same road. We would play every night after school. In school, I would play every break time with all the lads! When I was 12 I played for local side, Redgate Rovers until I was 15.  I was scouted for Merseyside U16′s and at the same time got involved in Everton Centre of Excellence U16′s. The following season I moved up into the Reserves who I currently play for.”

“Lucy Cunningham played in the 2011 Showcase, and blew everyone away!  She showed us all how talented she is and, even though she comes from such a high level, she is very down to earth.  Lucy has been great to work with, and I wish her the best of luck for her time in the USA.”

- Kevin McCann (Sports Consultant, FirstPoint USA)

Lucy has certainly made an impression on all of our staff here at FirstPoint USA, at each stage in the program! Barry Neville from our Clearing department played a key role in promoting Lucy to universities in the States, and for matching her to her chosen University in the end.

“Lucy was very easy to work with from the moment she came onto the FirstPoint USA program.  She showed a lot of hard work and dedication to complete her task lists very quickly, expediting the process.  Any extra information we needed or tasks were also dealth with very quickly.  We are delighted that Lucy has been able to secure a scholarship to such a prestigious University.”

- Barry Neville (Clearing Department)We would love to thank Lucy, for taking the time to let us in on her story, and we wish her every success in the United States. 

The University of Memphis

Congratulations to Jemma White who has secured a scholarship to St Leo University!

Well done Jemma, all the best for your time in the U.S!

Congratulations to Lucy Cunningham who has secured a scholarship to The University of Memphis!

Best of luck in the States Lucy, well done!

Congratulations to Conor McNulty who has secured a scholarship to St Catharines University in Kentucky.

Well done Conor, we wish you the best of luck in the USA!