Your Complete Resource
Oliver Charles
Placement Guide
Everything you and your family need to know about studying and competing in the United States — from academics and visas to scholarships and our process.
A Message from the Founder
Welcome to
Oliver Charles
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re exploring one of the most exciting opportunities available to young people around the world — the chance to study and compete in the United States.
I started Oliver Charles Sports Management in 2014 as part of my final MBA project. As a former international student-athlete myself, I had already experienced firsthand what this journey could offer: world-class facilities, high-level competition, the pursuit of a degree from an American university, the chance to travel across the country, gain real work experience, and build friendships that last a lifetime. It was, without exaggeration, life-changing.
When I finished that project, I couldn’t walk away. I knew there were talented, ambitious young athletes all over the world who deserved the same opportunity I had — they just needed someone to guide them through it. That’s what we do. That’s what we’ve been doing for a decade.
“This document is designed to give you and your family a clear understanding of how the American college system works, how athletics and academics come together, how scholarships can reduce costs, and how we support you through every step of the process — from your first conversation with us, all the way to graduation and beyond.”
Oliver Templeton · Founder & CEO
Chapter One
The Opportunity
at a Glance
The United States is the world’s number one destination for international students. This is not a niche opportunity — this is a well-established, well-funded system, and with the right guidance, it is absolutely accessible to you.
in the U.S. (2024/25)
U.S. economy annually
competing in NCAA sports
awarded each year
Chapter Two
The American
Academic System
A standard undergraduate degree takes four years to complete. The academic year is divided into two semesters: the Fall Semester (late August through mid-December) and the Spring Semester (mid-January through May). Students typically take five classes per semester — approximately 40 classes to reach graduation.
You progress through four academic levels: Freshman (Year 1), Sophomore (Year 2), Junior (Year 3), and Senior (Year 4). American colleges offer degrees across virtually every subject you can imagine — from business and engineering to the arts, sciences, and everything in between.
Important for international students: If you’ve completed advanced coursework in your home country, we can often secure academic credit at your U.S. institution. This can accelerate your undergraduate degree and open the door to pursuing a master’s degree.
Chapter Three
Your Student Visa
& Work Authorization
Every international student enters the U.S. on an F-1 Student Visa, which remains valid for the duration of your studies. If you continue your education beyond an undergraduate degree, your visa can be extended accordingly.
One of the most valuable benefits of studying in the U.S. is the work authorization available after graduation. Upon completing each level of degree, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to work in the U.S. in a field related to your studies.
STEM Advantage
For students who earn a degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), work authorization can be extended up to three years after graduation — a significant pathway into the U.S. workforce.
Chapter Four
The College Athletics
Structure
College sports in the U.S. operate within a structured system of leagues and divisions. Each level offers a different combination of competition intensity, scholarship availability, and academic environment.
Chapter Five
Pathways: There Is
No One-Size-Fits-All
Every student-athlete is different — in their academic background, their level of play, their degree interests, their budget, and their geographical preferences. That’s why we approach every placement individually.
Some students begin at a four-year college and remain there for all four years of their degree. Others start at a two-year college with the intention of transferring after two years, which can open up stronger options for their final two years while keeping total costs lower.
Both routes lead to the same result: a completed degree and a full collegiate experience. We work with each student and their family to identify the right path — one that balances academics, athletics, finances, and personal goals.
“I was released by Gillingham and didn’t know what was next. Oliver got me the best part of a full scholarship to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida — the campus was literally on a beach. I spent four years playing soccer every day, earning my degree in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Then we transferred to Oral Roberts to compete in one of the toughest D1 conferences in the country. I’m now working on my OPT — none of it would have happened without OCSM.”
Tommy Lamb · Eckerd College & Oral Roberts University
Chapter Six
Cost of Attendance
& Scholarships
The total cost of attendance is made up of several components: tuition and fees, housing, and meals. General spending money and travel expenses are separate but sometimes included in the total figure provided by the college.
Scholarships are applied to reduce that total. These can come from multiple sources: academic scholarships (based on grades and test scores), housing waivers, meal plan scholarships, and athletic scholarships (from the coach’s budget). Some athletes receive partial support; others have their entire cost covered.
Chapter Seven
The Recruiting
Timeline
Coaches typically recruit 12 months or more in advance of the upcoming season. The earlier you begin the process, the more options you will have.
“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.”
Family of Yianni Goulandris · Columbia University
Chapter Eight
From Commitment
to Campus
Once a student commits to a college, we guide the family through the full visa process — ensuring all documentation is in order and the student is fully prepared for their visa interview.
From there, we help with every detail of arrival preparation: flight logistics and airport pickups, dorm room selection and roommate assignments, meal plan selection, and essential setup items such as health insurance, a U.S. phone number, and banking. We work alongside the student’s academic advisor to select the right classes, ensure credit is applied for prior coursework, and monitor grades throughout each semester.
Chapter Nine
Ongoing
Support
Our relationship with our student-athletes doesn’t end at drop-off. We are a long-term partner in their journey.
“Shippensburg might not be the place you’d pick off a map, but it became home. I made friends for life there, competed at a high level, and was proud to call it mine for four years. After graduating, OCSM helped me stay on and earn my master’s in Sport Management — and now I’m working as a junior agent within the agency, using everything I learned. The whole journey started with one conversation.”
Seth Crabbe · Shippensburg University
Chapter Ten
How We Work
& Next Steps
We begin with a consultation — a chance for us to meet you and your family, and for you to learn more about us as an agency, ask any questions, and determine if this is the right path for you.
Our service is structured as a fixed monthly retainer of $200 USD. The initial commitment is 12 months, after which the retainer continues on a rolling month-to-month basis. There is no end date by design — our expectation is that we are with you for the entire journey, from your first conversation with a coach all the way through graduation and beyond, for as long as you need us. We are your team throughout your time in the U.S., and most of our families stay with us for the duration.
We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our families and the players we represent. This is not a transaction — it is a partnership.
If a client chooses to end their monthly retainer and later wishes to re-engage our support, they must either make up the missed months or pay a $1,000 re-engagement fee, whichever is less. This ensures we can dedicate the time and resources needed to get back up to speed on their case and continue delivering the level of service our families expect.
Monthly Retainer
$200 / month
12-month initial commitment. Rolling month-to-month thereafter — no end date.
What’s Included
Full placement support, coach communication, scholarship negotiation, visa guidance, arrival preparation, academic monitoring, and ongoing support through graduation and beyond.
Ready to Begin?
Take the First Step
Toward Your American
College Experience
If you’re ready to explore this opportunity further, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to schedule your consultation.