Last week, we looked at unofficial college visits. This week, we look at official college visits. Just like unofficial college visits, official college visits are an important part of the recruiting process. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of official college visits…

What Is An Official Visit?

An official college visit for student-athletes is a trip to a college or university campus that is funded by the institution. It is a crucial part of the recruiting process, allowing prospective student-athletes to experience the campus life, meet with coaches, teammates, and academic staff, and get a better understanding of the athletic and academic opportunities at that school.

Why Take An Official Visit?

Opportunity! It’s fun! Going on an official college visit is one of the most exciting parts of the recruiting process! Not only do you have the opportunity to see a college campus in person but being invited also signifies that the coach is very interested in you as a recruit. This is your opportunity to get to know the campus, the culture, the team and the dorms and then decide if you would feel comfortable living there for the next four years.

Expenses Covered

Unlike unofficial visits, where the student-athlete pays for all expenses, the school covers most costs in an official visit. This may include transportation (airfare, gas), lodging, meals, and entertainment.

Duration and Timing and Number of Visits

An official visit can last up to 48 hours. Athletes are allowed to start taking official visits after September 1st of their junior year of high school (in most sports), per NCAA rules. Athletes can take as many official visits that they want to different NCAA Division I schools, but only one per institution. The only exception is if there is a coaching staff change; only then could an athlete revisit the same D1 school.

Schedule

The visit usually includes meeting with the coaching staff, a campus tour, attending a sporting event, staying in student housing (often with current athletes), and academic meetings. The athlete may also meet with admissions counselors, professors, and support staff (e.g., athletic trainers, nutritionists).

Key Tips for Official Visits:

• Prepare Questions: Think about questions you want to ask coaches, current athletes, or admissions counselors. This is a chance to dig into what matters most to you about the program.
• First Impressions Matter: Treat the visit as a combination of a job interview and a chance to explore. Coaches will be evaluating your personality, character, and fit for the team.
• Observe Campus Life: Pay attention to campus life, facilities, and how the team and coaches interact. This is a great way to understand the culture and see if you can envision yourself thriving there.

Parents are invited to go on official visits. However, schools are only allowed to pay for certain things, such as tickets to a game, transportation to and from the school if traveling with the student-athlete, and meals. Flights, bus, train tickets, hotel stay, etc., are the responsibility of the parents. Remember, your student-athlete is the focus of the experience, so it should be the student-athlete who asks questions and take control of the conversation. When it comes to finances, scholarships, and paying for college, then you can jump into the conversation.

Schools offer official visits to serious recruiting targets. These visits can lead to offers of athletic scholarships or other recruitment decisions. Student-athletes can take the time to evaluate if the school is a good fit academically, socially, and athletically. Take it all in, enjoy the experience, and have fun determining your right fit!

Resources

Learn More HERE

40 Questions To Ask HERE