Video, English, academic record, contact with coaches, visa: what to prepare, and when, so you can leave in the best conditions.
Moving to the United States to play is not something you decide in a few weeks. Between the video, English, conversations with coaches, admission and the visa, a project takes several months to build, often more than a year. Here are the main steps, in order, so you know where you stand.
Why start early
American coaches plan their rosters well in advance. When a spot opens up on their team, they are already looking for next season's players. A player who gets in touch early has more schools to choose from, more time to improve their English, and less stress when the paperwork begins.
The main steps, as a guide
You can leave as early as the end of 10th grade to join an American high school or prep school, or after finishing secondary school to go to university. Either way, the timeline often looks like this:
- one to two years before leaving: learn how the American system works, keep your grades up and start working on your English;
- next: film your games, put together a first highlight and get your profile assessed;
- about a year before leaving: show your video to coaches and start talking with them;
- in the months that follow: take the required tests, compare offers, choose your school and prepare your admission file;
- once admitted: start the visa process, and prepare your departure and your arrival on campus.
What is not only up to you
Some steps have their own deadlines: each school's admission deadlines, registration for English tests, getting a visa appointment, and registration with athletic bodies. These deadlines change from year to year and from school to school: always check them on the official websites, and leave yourself some margin.
What if you start late?
It is not necessarily too late. A year at a prep school or a spell at a junior college can give you time to improve and get noticed. But the later you start, the fewer options you have: it is better to assess your profile now than to wait until the end of the year.
Our tips to stay on track
- Start filming your games now: a good video is built over several months of the season.
- Work on your English every week, not just before a test.
- Keep your report cards and school documents: you will be asked for them.
- Check that your passport is valid, and plan ahead if it needs renewing.
- Write down every deadline in a planner you share with your parents.
For parents
Your role is invaluable in keeping to the timeline: documents, appointments, budget, deadlines. Talk about it early as a family, so the choice of school is made calmly rather than in a rush.
A timeline built with you
At UFM, we start with an interview to review your profile and your timeline, then guide you through every step: video, contact with coaches, choosing your school, English and the visa. We explain what to do and when, but the applications remain yours to complete, with your family: it is your project. To find out where you stand, book your free call.
