Softball Australia is hosting an online information session for athletes and families interested in studying and playing softball at a US college or university.

Our guest speaker is Cora Lavin, Education Outreach Manager at the U.S. Consulate General Sydney. Cora runs EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's official network for students considering study in the United States. EducationUSA provides free, independent advice and does not represent any individual college or recruiting agency.

This session is open to anyone interested in the U.S. college pathway, whatever stage you're at. It's best suited to athletes in Years 9 to 12, who are at the right age to start understanding the process and planning ahead.

Younger athletes are also welcome if they'd like an early look at what the pathway involves and how it could fit into their future.

Current Year 12 students and recent school leavers are welcome too.

While the standard timeline for starting college straight after school is tight at this stage, there are still options, such as a gap year or transferring to a U.S. college after studying at an Australian university. Parents, guardians and coaches are encouraged to come along, as well as anyone else who supports an athlete and wants to understand how the process works.

The session will cover:

• How the U.S. college system works and the types of institutions available
• Athletic scholarships and the difference between college sports divisions
• Key timelines, including when to start planning and preparing
• Admissions requirements, testing and eligibility
• Where to find reliable, free information and support

There will be time for questions at the end. 

Session times listed for this event is AEDT. Session Times for Australian Time Zones are listed below:

• 7:30PM-8:30PM AEDT 
• 7:00PM-8:00PM ACST
• 6:30PM-7:30PM AEST
• 4:30PM-5:30PM AWST