divers from europe---college scholarship

Question
hello mr.Trapp
my name is Alena, i'm from eastern europe do you think if there any chance to get diving scholarship in Indiana Uni?
if yes what are the first steps i have to do? in some previous topic i've seen Q&A about college but that was relating US diver.i'm elite juniors level diver(current european junior gr.B champion of 3m).
i'm 15 and asking about college bit to early but have 2years to do some courses if needed:)
sinserely A

Answer
Alena -

Your diving ability indicates that you will be the type of diver that American college coaches would want on their team. The important thing for you is that when you are 17, you have the academic requirements needed to be accepted into a US college and be eligible for NCAA Division I diving.

Here is what you need to do academically. You should only be taking the most difficult subjects at your school. In the US, we call them 'Advanced Placement Courses' (AP for short#.
You will also need to take a test in the US we call the Scholastic Aptitude Test #SAT for short# or its equivalent in your country. You will also need to demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak and have an excellent understanding of the English language. You will have to take a test demonstrating that you have enough understanding of the American language so you can take college classes.

You should contact the University of Indiana directly to find out more about what you need to do to get accepted to this school. Contact this woman in the athletic department, Jennifer Brinegar to get the answers to the questions I cannot answer. Her e-mail is [email protected] go their website, www.iuhoosiers.com. Click on Women's Swimming and Diving and click on 'Other'. Then click on 'recruits' and then look for 'Diving Questionnaire'. Fill that out and wait for a response from the Head Coach, Jeff Huber.

There is another college you should contact. It is the University of Houston in Texas. The diving coach, Jane Figueiredo, is a very famous college coach who is Olympic level. She recruits European divers every year. She knows what it takes academically to dive for a US college. Her e-mail is [email protected]. She can answer a lot of your questions.

Since you are a Group B champion in Europe, I think you may be going to the FINA Junior Olympic World Championships in Australia. If you do compete there, talk to the American coaches about NCAA Division I diving. I am sure they can answer some of your questions. Also talk to USA female divers in Group A who will be applying to universities very soon. I am sure they can help you.

Good luck and study hard!