Highly Experienced Student-Athlete Mentorship
The University Exploration Toward Admission
Johanna Hall has helped hundreds of recruits go through the incredibly competitive Division 1 first-year or transfer admissions cycle, witnessing the extra challenge and stress of adding the “NCAA Division 1 athletics” criteria to the search process. In addition to U.S. applicants, she has advised student-athletes from China, Germany, Mexico, Taiwan, France, Singapore, Italy, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Egypt, Tunisia, Belgium, the Philippines, Costa Rica, England, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Bolivia, Ecuador and South Korea.
Private Coach USA can assist with your search for a new university home, guiding you through the uncertainties and confusion of the challenging application process.
Topics For The Applicant - Exploration To Admission
- “Where do I start?”
- Search and selection strategies
- Setting a timeline with action items
- Application resources
- The NCAA Eligibility Center
- University systems
- Campus and town resources
- The athletic department
- Expectations and tips for success
- NCAA academic eligibility requirements
- Institutional academic eligibility requirements
- English proficiency testing
- Student visa application
- Financial considerations
The University Journey From Enrollment To Graduation
As a professor, Johanna observed the cultural and academic challenges international students faced in their new U.S. university environment and classroom. It was crucial to set the right approach and guidance for the remainder of the university journey to promote a successful outcome toward graduation.
As a coach, she facilitated the adjustment to the team and to the university for all new athletes. Families would reach out for assistance as they were trying to help their student with a particular situation but were impeded by distance, time, or lack of knowledge for fixing the problem. Her familiarity with university systems from an academic and athletic standpoint proved to be quite valuable in recommending strategies, finding solutions, and providing needed reassurance.
Once admitted to a university, international student-athletes continue to require support and guidance. They must learn school structures, academic and athletic systems, and adjust to peers and teammates who are culturally different, all as they most often attempt to master a second language. Private Coach USA can help!
Topics For The Student - Enrollment To Graduation
- Frequent questions, inquiries, and support
- Unexpected challenges and struggles
- Assistance with accessing campus and in-town resources
- Campus systems
- Cultural and social barriers
- Adjustment to relationships and groups
- Extra-curricular opportunities
- Assistance for families impeded by distance, time, or unfamiliarity with the particular situation
- Academic eligibility
- Team dynamics
- NIL obstacles for international students
- Time management for competition travel
- Managing public and social media notoriety
- Taking advantage of student-athlete resources
- ESL tutoring
- Note-taking skills
- Editing and proofreading
- Public speaking
- Stress reduction
- “Talk it through” problem-solving
- Goal setting for academic and athletic pursuits
- Career fairs
- Mock interviews
- Networking on and off campus
- Internship and job search strategies
- Resume and cover letter reviews
- Weighing job offers and negotiating
- Budgeting
- Securing housing and transportation
- Staying in the USA or returning to the home country
- Emotional considerations
Expert ESL Instruction
Johanna's teaching experience and expertise in second language acquisition make her the ideal instructor for the ESL needs of her Private Coach USA clients. As a trained linguist, she can determine their proficiency level, establish the appropriate curriculum, and individualize the method of study to their learning style. Sessions are tailored to promptly establish confidence and competence in all language skills.
For the university applicant, Private Coach USA provides support with preparation for the TOEFL proficiency test and with admission documents. For the enrolled student, we provide support with ESL sessions focusing on academic success and cultural adjustment.
Topics For ESL Support
- Listening comprehension
- Reading & note-taking skills
- Conversation & pronunciation
- Grammar, composition, editing & proofreading
- U.S. culture
- University culture
- Resources
- TOEFL proficiency test
- School tests
- Public speaking & class presentations
- Material review
- Class topics & vocabulary expansion
- General & business correspondence
- Resume & cover letter reviews
- Interview preparation