Athlete Journey

How We Work

The full journey from your consultation to your first day at an American university

In detail

What actually happens at every step

The home page has the short version. This is the full breakdown: what we do, what we need from you, what you walk away with, and the most common mistakes.

Step 01

We assess the athlete’s level

We start with a 45-minute call. We assess your athletic level, academic background, and goals. We answer all your questions and define a strategy.

No commitment · 100% free · Expert assessment

What we do

  • A 45-minute call going through your athletic profile: results, ranking, statistics, injury history.
  • A look at the academics, transcript, GPA, graduation year, English level.
  • We map your level against NCAA D1/D2/D3, NAIA and NJCAA requirements and name a realistic range.
  • We say so honestly if there is no route. It is free and commits you to nothing.

What we need from you

  • Current results and official competition records.
  • Your transcript or a record of grades.

What you get

  • A clear read on your level: which leagues and divisions are realistic and which are not.
  • A preliminary estimate of award size and out-of-pocket cost.
Common mistakes

Inflated expectations. An athlete has heard about "a full ride at D1" and will not look at D2 or NAIA, where their chances are real. We name it straight away.

Step 02

We select universities

We analyse the athlete’s profile and pick universities that fit their athletic level, academic requirements and goals.

Timeline · Takes 3-5 business days

What we do

  • We build a university list around your level, sport, budget and academic goals.
  • We check the roster: who is graduating, and whether your position is genuinely open.
  • We weigh league and division, conference strength, the coaching staff, tuition cost and how much aid is actually available.

What we need from you

  • Your priorities: major, region, climate, campus size.
  • An honest ceiling on the family budget.

What you get

  • Targeted university and league recommendations, drawn from our specialists’ experience.
Common mistakes

Choosing universities by location rather than by athletic and academic fit. What matters is a university that matches your level, not the prettiest location.

Step 03

Coach outreach

We reach out to coaches at target universities, and put the athlete forward to programmes we already have close relationships with. We run the correspondence and prepare the athlete for calls and conversations with coaches at every stage.

Timeline · 2-6 months of active work

What we do

  • We reach out to coaches at target universities and recommend the athlete to programmes we already have close relationships with.
  • We set up calls with coaching staffs and prepare the athlete for them.
  • We negotiate terms through to an offer: the scholarship, how much it covers and what it includes.

What we need from you

  • Raw footage from matches or training.
  • Willingness to get on a call with a coach in English, we prepare you for it beforehand.
  • Fast replies: we tell you what to write to each coach, and how.

What you get

  • Full support while you talk to coaches: we tell you what to write and say to get the best result.
  • A clear picture of the final cost and what the scholarship includes: we go through every offer carefully.
Common mistakes

A pause in replies. The coach writes, the athlete answers a week later, the spot goes to someone else. Speed matters more here than people expect.

Step 04

Full enrollment support

We help with documents, translations, visa questions and every stage of official enrolment.

Timeline · 2-4 weeks of processing

What we do

  • We help with league registration and competition eligibility.
  • We advise on filling in and preparing every document.
  • We help with university applications and the language exam.
  • We see you through the I-20 and the F-1 visa application.

What we need from you

  • Original education documents.
  • A passport with enough validity left.
  • Readiness to pay the mandatory fees, separate from our service.

What you get

  • A signed offer and a place on the roster.
  • Completed paperwork and a scheduled embassy interview.
Common mistakes

Paperwork. A badly translated transcript or an expiring passport derails timelines harder than any athletic factor.

Step 05

We support you after arrival

We help with settling in, academic questions and anything that comes up after arrival. We stay in touch for your whole time at university.

Timeline · Your whole time at university

What we do

  • We stay in touch throughout your bachelor’s or master’s.
  • We help with dorm move-in, class registration and everyday practicalities.
  • We advise on building the relationship with the coaching staff and keeping your scholarship.
  • We help work it out when something goes wrong, from your major to changing university.

What we need from you

  • Message us when something is unclear, not once it has become a problem.

What you get

  • Someone who went through it themselves and answers in Russian.
  • Support for your entire time at university.
Common mistakes

The first semester. English, academic load and training all at once, this is where grades slip, and the scholarship with them.

Why us

Why athletes choose NextLane

We are former athletes: we earned scholarships, graduated from US universities and now coach here. We know the system from both sides, as athletes and as coaching staff.

  • 01

    We lived in this system

    Both founders are former student-athletes. Vladimir studied at five US universities and now works as an assistant coach; Alisha competed for a university team for 4 years and graduated with honours. We know what coaches look for because we were on that side, and work on it now.

  • 02

    With you at every step

    We don't disappear after signing the contract. From the first letter to a coach to the day you step onto the court for your university, we answer questions, solve problems, and guide you through every step of the process.

  • 03

    Honesty before the contract

    If you have no real chance, we'll say so before we take your money. Fixed price, no hidden fees. We take clients we believe in, because our reputation is built on results, not promises.

Common Concerns

What usually stops athletes

On average 2-6 months from the start of work to the first offer, depending on the sport and the athlete’s level.

  • "My results aren't good enough for the US"

    There are thousands of colleges at different levels in the US. NAIA and NJCAA are open to athletes with stable results. The problem is almost never the results.

  • "It's too expensive"

    The average cost of a year of tuition + room and board in the US for an athlete is around $8,000-15,000. Comparable to the cost of studying and living at home.

  • "I don't know English"

    We help write letters to coaches. A basic level is enough to start. English improves in the process.

  • "What if it doesn't work out?"

    We honestly assess the chances before we start. If there is no real path, we will say so right away. We don't take money for nothing.

Success Stories

Our team has already helped dozens of athletes from the CIS and Europe move to the US through sport

Real athletes, real results, from CIS to US universities

All stories
  • Nina, Swimming, Southern Illinois UniversitySwimming

    Nina

    University
    Southern Illinois University
    Illinois
    League
    NCAA Division I
    Scholarship
    Full tuition, housing and meals
    Country
    Russia
  • Alan, Basketball, Delta State UniversityBasketball

    Alan

    University
    Delta State University
    Mississippi
    League
    NCAA Division II
    Scholarship
    Full tuition coverage
    Country
    Kyrgyzstan
  • Maria, Basketball, Montreat CollegeBasketball

    Maria

    University
    Montreat College
    North Carolina
    League
    NAIA
    Scholarship
    Full tuition coverage
    Country
    Russia