Hong Kong International Tennis Academy (HKITA)

U.S. college tour day 9
Princeton and Haverford visits

Princeton private camp and Haverford campus tour with head coaches.

Q and A inside Albert Einstein’s class room. Pretty awesome.

U.S. college tour day 8
Showcase showdown in New Jersey

The final day of the showcase. For the boys, the day began early and lasted long. Today, they played one doubles and two singles matches. Some good wins, some tough losses, but I truly like everyone's attitude and their on-court behavior.

The first match started at 8:30 a.m., and the last one finished at 5:00 p.m. Although the day was long, it passed quickly for the boys. When they were not playing they were cheering or watching their friends and they were talking to college coaches.

I've received a few more offers for our boys from colleges ranging from division 1 to division 3. A very solid day for our boys.

One of our boys had to leave tonight for a tournament in Africa. Everyone was a little sad because they had formed a brotherhood over the course of the tour. A great group of kids who are kind and supportive of each other. Proud of them.

U.S. college tour day 8
Showcase showdown in New Jersey

Day 7
Showcase showdown in New Jersey

Surprisingly, practically everyone performed well today in the showcase. Today, everyone played one doubles and one singles match. Many coaches were present for the showcase, observing showcase players demonstrate their skills and talents.

By the conclusion of the day, numerous of our rising senior players had been recruited. One of our guys received an offer from a Division 1 school. It was a really productive and positive day.

While the athletes were playing, I walked around the venue to watch them and speak with college coaches. I was able to speak with and expose our players to coaches from NYU, Chicago, John Hopkins, Wesleyan, and Oberlin, to name a few.

Before the showcase,I told the boys to be happy, figure things out, and have low expectations. Players with high expectations (must win, must perform well) are easily discouraged when things do not go their way. Players with low expectations (I will give it my all) are less likely to give up. They are constantly trying and figuring things out (be present).

The nice part is that these practical mental strategies can be implemented right away. The kids just need to be aware of their thoughts.

Send a message to learn more

U.S. college tour day 6
Showcase showdown in New Jersey

U.S. college tour day 5.
Preparation day and NYU visit: Early day for our team. We arrived at the showcase venue early because the girls would be using it all day.

We wanted to get some practice before the girls' matches began. Following our early-morning practice, we headed to New York City to see NYU.

Coach Horace met with us and took us on a tour of the athletic complex. Our athletes also met with Coach Horace, who explained the requirements for admission to NYU. Our players understood that both tennis and academics have high requirements. It was fantastic for the players to learn everything about NYU and the admissions process firsthand from the head coach.

After the NYU tour, we took the kids to the world-famous Joe's Pizza, which is just next to NYU. All the kids agreed that it was one of the best pizza slices they'd ever had. It would be a crime for anyone visiting New York City not to try New York pizza 🍕 😄😅😅

U.S. college tour day 5.
Prep day and NYU visit.

U.S. college tour day 4.
Preparation day: Today was a prep day. The kids slept a lot longer today. We arrived at the court at 9:30 a.m. and trained until 2:30 p.m. The training was intense and competitive, thus time flew by.

We separated the players into two teams: Duke and North Carolina. They each played two doubles and four singles. Suresh (UNC) and Philippe (Duke) served as coaches. It was fun watching the boys battled each other till their last breath.

I must say that the boys were extremely fortunate to receive coaching from coaches like coach Suresh and coach Philippe. Both coaches are exceptional at their craft, having developed world-class and high-level college players from the ground up.

However, I also reminded the boys that they are their own best coach. Most of them don't feel they can coach themselves, but I know they can, and I only needed to reassure them of their ability to coach themselves.

U.S. college tour day 4
Preparation day

U.S. college tour day 3
Upenn camp

Another great day for our players. Today was the final day of the UPenn camp. In the last three days, several coaches have approached me to inquire about certain players.

I also had verbal offers for a few of our players, which was quite encouraging. Following the session, we drove to New Jersey to prepare for the college showcase.

Our athletes are still practicing being conscious of "figuring things out". I can still see some guys giving up in the middle of the match. Figuring things out keeps players from giving up and boosts their confidence at the same time.

They are also still working on how to be happy on the court.

U.S. college tour day 3.
UPenn camp last day.

U.S. college tour day 2. UPenn camp:
Day 2 was productive and fruitful for our players. The day was also quite long and tiring. The camp started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 4:45 p.m. A few coaches have been impressed by how our players present themselves. It's always beneficial when a player has a positive mindset.

Today, I got the kids to concentrate on "figuring things out". You will constantly be in the present moment if you are continually focused on "figuring things out". Your thoughts will be less inclined to wander to the past and the future. The most dangerous players are those who can always remain in the current moment.

The players did a lot of live drills in the morning and later they played both singles and doubles in the afternoon. Coaches were also impressed with several of our players. A number of coaches have inquired about our players.

U.S. college tour day 2
Highlight at UPenn camp

U.S. College Showcase Day 1:
Today we will begin our tour at the UPenn camp. Last night, I prepared the players about what to expect at the camp. Do's and Don'ts. How to communicate with coaches, etc. Finally, I told the players the importance of having fun. Having fun relaxes their muscles and quiets their minds. When the mind is peaceful, our game automatically flows for maximum performance.

U.S. College Tour Day 1
UPenn camp

Dear HKITA friends, please kindly follow our Instagram page
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HKITA College Prep Tour 2024

INTRO
For the past 17 years HKITA has been the most consistent and successful program in placing players from Asia into the U.S. college system. Our success has been built behind the trust, confidence and respect that we established with the U.S. college coaches throughout the past 17 years. No other program or company in Asia has done this program as long as us. The connections, relationships and experiences were all built slowly but steadily in the past 17 years. We are the only program that specializes in tennis and has a 100% success rate in placing students as long as their academic/ tennis skills match their expectations.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]

EVENT
College Prospect Showcase 2024


SHOW CASE VENUE
Mercer Country Park Tennis Center, NJ (25 – 27 June)

** Over 150 college coaches from D1 through D3 will attend the Donovan showcase. This is purely a match play setting to demonstrate your abilities and skills. Excellent opportunity to meet coaches from your dream colleges. Our coaching staff is familiar with almost all of the coaches. Aside from the Donovan showcase, athletes will attend the U Penn camp, which will be run by 20 college coaches from across the United States. Players will have numerous opportunities to get discovered, even recruited, because they will spend time with actual college coaches while practicing drills and playing matches.


FEE
HK$76,800
-​Fee includes coaching fee, room and board, transportation during the tour and 12 months of college consultation, college placement service and how to achieve your college tennis goals (unlimited emails/ whatsapp/ wechat/ text to coach Benny and up to 3 zoom meetings per month if needed).
- Non-refundable HK$5,000 deposit is required upon applying.
- Does not include airfare, showcase/ camp registration fee (TBC and to be paid directly to the showcase organizer).


TEAM MANAGER/ COACH
Benny Lin
Philippe Sysavanh

HOTEL (SHOWCASE)
TBC

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (ALL SCHOOL VISITS TBC – CHANGES MAY BE MADE)
20 Jun​​ Arrive NYC
21 – 23 Jun ​​U Penn College Camp
24 Jun​​ Practice Day
25 – 27 Jun​​ College Showcase
28 Jun​​ College visit
29 Jun​​ College visit​​
30 Jul​​​ Depart NYC


Please note that the schedule will be finalized closer to the showcase time.

Not All Scholarship Offers Are Created Equal

September is a big month for recruits going on official visits. This is your chance to see what your life would look like as a student at each school you visit. You will go on campus tours, eat meals in the dining hall, watch practices and/or competitions, spend time getting to know the team members, and sit down with the coaches to speak more in depth.

On these visits, or shortly after, it is possible at schools that offer athletic scholarships you may be extended a verbal offer to that specific school.

Different schools will offer scholarships that may vary in price, but you need to understand that the highest dollar amount doesn’t always mean it is the best offer. You need to compare the actual value of each scholarship, not just the total dollar amount.

This same concept goes for students that are looking at schools that may not offer athletic scholarships, but offer varieties of academic, merit, and need-based aid.

You need to understand the three following concepts when looking at financial offers from any school.

Comparing scholarship offers

For many families, the final cost per year to attend a school is going to play a large factor in the final decision.

When you are receiving verbal athletic scholarship offers you will need to compare each offer as no two offers are created equal.

For some student-athletes it is simple if they are in a head count sport.

For those offered a full scholarship based on head count then two offers will be the same.

But the majority of athletes that receive an athletic scholarship offer will likely receive a partial scholarship offer.

These partial scholarships can range from as $1,000 per year up to near full cost of college depending on how coaches disperse their available scholarship money.

Not all scholarships are created equal.

For example, if you receive a $5,000 per year scholarship from a school that costs $20,000 per year and $8,000 per year scholarships from a school that costs $50,000 per year, the $5,000 scholarship would have more value.

This is because the $5,000 scholarship will cover 25% of that school's cost versus the $8,000 per year scholarship only covers 16% of the total cost of that school.

Financial Aid

If you receive a verbal offer from any coach (no matter what the division) you will still have to wait to see what type of financial aid you receive.

For division III schools as well as non-scholarship d1 and d2, your financial aid package you receive will be the sole part of your financial funding from a school.

For schools offering athletic scholarships, your financial aid package will be added onto your athletic scholarship if applicable.

Your financial aid packages can come in the form of academic scholarships, merit scholarships, and need-based scholarships/grants, and federal funding.

Cost of attendance

Your final cost to attend a school will be any athletic/academic/merit scholarships plus any need-based financial aid you receive.

At the end of your acceptance letter and financial aid award letter the schools will show you your expected family contribution (EFC).

Keep in mind that the financial aid award letter you receive may also have federal loans listed which you can choose to accept or not.

For example if you receive a $5,000 per year federal Stafford loan, you will have to pay that back with interest after you are done attending college.

So if you have a $5,000 Stafford loan showing on your financial aid awards letter, and it says your EFC is $15,000 per year, your EFC would rise to $20,000 per year if you chose to not accept the Stafford loan.

Whether you are looking at verbal scholarship offers from coaches or your final financial aid awards package, be sure to compare each based on what your Expected Family Contribution will be in the end to help you make your final decision.

Day 8
Swarthmore tour! Beautiful campus and elite education. Coach Davis gave us a fun and informative 90 minute long tour. The boys truly enjoyed the historical campus and were very happy to meet coach Davis.

Day 7
We enjoyed a great private training and tour at Princeton with coach Billy Pate, Princeton's head of men's tennis.

Coach Billy provided our players numerous tips on how to improve their tennis game. Shot tolerance and shortening the backswing were some of the tips.

In between tennis and the campus tour, the boys had lunch with coach Billy. The guys enjoyed a terrific day with one of the most distinguished college coaches at Princeton.

During the campus tour coach Billy took us to probably world’s most famous class room - Albert Einstein’s former classroom.

Day 6
Coach Brenden K. takes us on a private tour of John Hopkins University.

Coach Brenden provided a wealth of information on tennis and admission. The tour and the Q and A was very informative and useful for the boys to bring home and get ready for next year’s recruiting process.

Day 5

The games were once again halted due to poor weather. All of the games were held indoors. Today was our boys' final doubles and singles match.

However, due to inclement weather, all matches were shortened to just five games. It wasn't the ideal situation, but our boys were able to play more aggressively and take more risks because scores no longer mattered.

Several coaches came to watch our boys play and expressed interests. Overall, the boys have benefited greatly from this showcase.

Day 4
First day of the college showcase with over 100 coaches from division 1 to 3 attending.

The showcase was interrupted several times by thunderstorms, but everyone was able to complete their singles and doubles matches. Despite the fact that the matches were cut short, several coaches saw our boys.

The boys gave it their all and played their hearts out. There were some wins and some defeats, but everyone managed to impress some coaches.

Day 3 of College Prep Tour

The final day of Upenn camp was jam-packed with actions. Throughout the day, players competed in singles and doubles matches while being observed and coached by real-life college coaches.

For our players, the UPenn camp has been really helpful and fruitful. A number of college coaches have expressed interest in our players.

Day 2 of College Prep tour
UPenn camp and Rocky Steps!

Day 1 of HKITA U.S. College tour.

It's nice to be back after a three-year break. College prep athletes from HKITA were going all out at the UPenn Tennis Camp in Philadelphia.

The first part of the day was rained off, but the players were able to tour the magnificent and historic University of Pennsylvania campus. Indoor courts were fortunately accessible in the afternoon.

Players generally engaged in college-style live drills and point play.

What we like best about this camp is that players have the opportunity to be seen and coached by college coaches in a more relaxed setting for three straight days. Players and coaches have the opportunity to get to know each other.

Coaches from John Hopkins and CalTech, as well as 15 other college coaches, were in attendance.

Hello U.S. college bound players, after 3 years of travel restrictions we are finally bringing our U.S. College Showcase program back. This program has been the most sought after and successful college placement program in Asia. For the past 16 years HKITA has been the most consistent and successful program in placing players from Asia into the U.S. college system. Our success has been built behind the trust, confidence and respect that we established with the U.S. college coaches throughout the past 16 years. No other program or company in Asia has done this program as long as us. The connections, relationships and experiences were all built slowly but steadily in the past 16 years. We are the only program that has a 100% success rate in placing students as long as their academic/ tennis skills match their expectations.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]. Please leave your phone number when you email us.

EVENT
College Prospect Showcase 2023

SHOW CASE VENUE
Mercer Country Park Tennis Center, NJ (26 – 28 June)

**Donovan showcase will be attended by over 150 college coaches from D1 – D3. This is purely match play to showcase your talent and skills. Great opportunity to meet coaches from your dream schools. Our coaching staff knows almost all the coaches personally.

FEE
HK$76,800

- Fee includes coaching fee, room and board, transportation during the tour and 12 months of college consultation, college placement service and how to achieve your college tennis goals (unlimited emails/ whatsapp/ wechat/ text to coach Benny and up to 3 zoom meetings per month if needed).
- Non-refundable HK$5,000 deposit is required upon applying.
- Does not include airfare, showcase/ camp registration fee (TBC and to be paid directly to the showcase organizer).

TEAM MANAGER/ COACH
Benny Lin
Philippe Sysavanh

HOTEL (SHOWCASE)
TBC

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (ALL SCHOOL VISITS TBC – CHANGES MAY BE MADE)
22 Jun Arrive NYC
23 – 25 Jun U Penn College Camp (TBC)
26 – 28 Jun College Showcase
29 Jun College visit
30 Jul College visit
1 Jul College visit
2 Jul Depart NYC

Please note that the schedule will be finalized closer to the showcase time.

Congratulations to Hannah Shen (HKITA College Prep Class of 2022) for being accepted to Brown University class of 2027! Your hard work has paid off and we are so proud of you. Congrats again Hannah!

Congrats to Kelly Leung (HKITA College Prep Class of 2020) for being accepted to University of Washington (D1). We are proud of you!

Congrats to Skia Kong (HKITA College Prep Class of 2020) for being accepted to Loyola Marymount University (D1). All the best at LMU. Go Lions!