Information about the process of studying at Universities in the USA and Canada

From the academic standpoint, we will select the best options for each case. American universities have sports programs in multiple disciplines, with exceptional facilities and excellent technical staff.

The recruiting process is the best way for student-athletes, parents, coaches, and universities to get to know each other. The key lies in finding the best possible fit within all the parts. The information that we will provide you not only deals with sports topics but also with academic ones, such as the philosophy of the selected universities, what their training curriculum is, what facilities they have, etc.

Studying in the US is expensive, but its educational system offers a wide range of athletic and academic scholarships, as well as different financial aid (credits to pay for studies). There are more than 3,000 universities, among them 600 in Division I. Division I universities offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes, which usually include tuition, housing, maintenance, and textbooks. Some of these scholarships also include health insurance, although in some cases universities may ask the athlete for a small amount based on this concept. Healthcare in the US is private, and the financing system is different. All these concepts are covered by the scholarships awarded by the universities, and the athletes will only have to pay for round-trip flights to the US from their cities of origin.

With the type of visa that you will acquire as a student-athlete (F-1), you will only be able to work in the university facilities (a maximum of 20 hours per week) to earn some money for your personal expenses.

The main concept during this process is to give importance to the previous studies that will get you there: the student who is applying for a sports scholarship in the US must learn to not be overwhelmed with the idea of studying and practicing her sport there. Before accessing an American university, it is vital to achieve the best possible grade in the studies taken in your country. Sports excellence is already assumed in these students, for that reason, it is necessary to demonstrate academic excellence since US universities seek this in all aspects. We will work together to make the recruiting process as best as possible.

Taking the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test = American university admission test)

The SAT is not carried out by public institutions, it is private.

The concept of the university access test to be admitted to the university is different. American students, before finishing high school, take the test, and along with their high school grades and SAT scores they manage to be admitted to universities. Each university has a different scale, based on minimums indicated by the NCAA. Those indices are a sliding scale.

The better the previous grades, the less demanding will be the grade on the SAT test.

This is where the importance of grades in our educational system comes in. The better their scores in high school and the better their SAT scores, the greater their chances of studying at the best universities in the country.

It is important to know that the SAT can be taken up to 6 times and will always save the best grade for each “part” taken (the SAT is made up of exams with 2 different parts: mathematics and reading comprehension), therefore, if you decide to repeat it, it will always be to improve the grade.

As we previously mentioned, the SAT test consists of two parts: mathematics and reading comprehension. There is also a writing part, but it is optional. Each part adds between 200 and 800 points. With a grade between 900 and 950 points between the two mandatory parts, you can access most universities in the US.

The duration of the SAT test is about two hours, it is in-person, and you must bring your computer or tablet. We will help students prepare for the exam and get the best possible grade.

The T.O.E.F.L. is a test approved by all English-speaking universities. You must demonstrate a high level of English, applied to practical situations that may occur in a university class: reading and understanding scientific articles, attending conferences, conversation between students... A certain level of fluency in English is necessary since time management when taking the exam is critical (3-4 hours). It consists of 4 parts: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The score is between 0 and 120 points.

The T.O.E.F.L is valid for 2 years and its requirements depend on the universities themselves, not the NCAA. Normally universities ask for a score of 61 points or more, except those that have a high academic level that ask for a score between 70 and 80 points. To give an example, Yale and Harvard universities ask for 100 points.

It can be done in person (recommended) or online.

Duolingo is another online exam that many American universities accept in substitution of the T.O.E.F.L.

It is an exam with the same 4 parts as the T.O.E.F.L. but easier, and it only lasts one hour.

The score is a scale of 10 to 160.

Normally universities ask for a score of 90 points or more on Duolingo, except those that have a high academic level that ask for a score of between 110-120 points. To give an example, Yale and Harvard universities ask for a minimum of 120 points.

For all those reasons, it is important to put English in the student's academic routine.

It will be necessary to send the entire academic record from 9th to 12th grade. In the original language and English.

All this information, both academic and athletic, along with the SAT and T.O.E.F.L. or Duolingo scores will create your athlete file, which will be sent to American universities, and will imply academic eligibility and amateur status, with the universities reserving the right to investigate your data if they have questions.

Universities will ask about income from clubs or national teams, with expenses incurred from travel or national and international tournaments being excluded from eligibility.

Tentatively, any athlete who graduates from high school is given 4 years of eligibility (to be able to contribute to sports programs) in a maximum of 5 academic years. Therefore, if the athlete suffers an injury, or decides to take a 1-year break agreed upon with the university, she will still be able to enjoy the scholarship obtained, although she will not be able to compete that year (Redshirt Year). Redshirt Year is a concept widely used in the US.

To register for the leagues, you need to pay about $160. We recommend waiting until you have some certainty of eligibility to register.

Once we all commit to carrying out the process (the student-athlete, the family, and PickUS) with the signing of the agreement (you authorize us to use the player's data and images), the period of knowledge and immersion into the American university world begins, usually unknown to most families.

PickUS will establish the connection between the universities and the student-athletes: completion of the academic profile to refine the choice of studies to be carried out, and the university to choose; along with completion of the highlights video. With these two elements already established, we will begin the work of researching the universities that best fit the studies that the student-athlete wants to pursue, as well as her athletic profile. The goal is to get the best scholarship as soon as possible (Full Scholarship: which ensures the minimum expense).

Once the athlete is eligible, and there is an agreement between the athlete and the university, the bureaucratic process of sending documentation, translations of academic and sports records, and financial agreements begins. The agreements with the university probably include different Zoom interview sessions with different university team coaches who want to meet you. Finally, you will have to process and apply for a visa to be able to study in the US.

It is essential to point out that the athletic level will vary from one university to another, and certainly from one league to another (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA). American university facilities are all modern and exemplary, with excellent athletic and medical staff. Academic excellence is also notable in most US universities. The American university system offers total coordination between academic and athletic concepts, providing the student with the possibility of pursuing university studies while practicing her sport.

Moreover, PickUS' work does not end when the student receives the sports scholarship and travels to the corresponding university. At PickUS, we are committed to accompanying/monitoring you during your stay in the US or Canada and even the continuation of your studies in Europe or another continent. We regularly contact you and your coaches/tutors to ensure you have a rewarding experience in every sense: personal, academic, and athletic. We are aware that studying in the US is a very important life experience, and we want it to be as satisfactory as possible to your interests.