Conducting Campus Visits to Prospective Universities

Courtesy of www.thesportsource.com.

To get a feel for a college, it is best to plan a minimum of two visits to the campus: an initial visit and a second or "paid" visit. If this were to occur, you should plan an initial visit sometime in your junior year. The second visit would then occur during your senior year. Sometimes, because of distance or a late start in the college search process, this is not possible and the visits will have to be combined.

The initial visit is a way for you to get acquainted with the college and for the coaches and players to get acquainted with you the recruit. Many student-athletes schedule a number of college visits on the same trip, as each visit will take only a short time. The initial visit should include a tour of the campus, an admissions interview [if available] and a talk with the athletic department and/or coach if you are interested in accessing scholarships for athletics. As a student-athlete, you will need to call ahead an arrange interview times with the admissions department and the athletic department.

Come prepared for these interviews, and be appropriately dresses since first impressions can mean a great deal. You should also have a list of specific questions to ask the admissions office and the athletic department. Coaches and admissions officers are looking for individuals who have some substance. You should ask pertinent questions that fill the gaps of your knowledge about the college and their athletic program.

Sample questions to ask a coach:

What is the status of the returning team, including eligibility of players at the same position as the recruit?

What are your chances of making the team and/or significant playing time as a freshman, sophomore, etc.?

What is the availability and chances of a scholarship?

What is the general practice schedule?

How much time does football require?

Does football interfere with a player's ability to complete academic work?

How does the red-shirt program work?

What are the coaches' goals for the team in the next four-years?

What equipment is provided for each player?

Many admission's department personnel will ask difficult questions that will require you to give thoughtful unprepared responses. Think through your answers and give serious intuitive answers. Most of these questions will be about personal experiences so not preparation is required. It is helpful, however, to gain experience in an interview situation.

Be completely up-front with the coach and ask questions that will help you better understand the level of commitment required for participation in their [specific sport] program. Most coaches will not bring up scholarships unless asked, so find out what is available and what your chances might be. As a recruit, be persistent, but tactful in seeking answers to all your questions.

The coach will want to get a feel for your personality the type of player and competitor you are and may ask for your own assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses. The coach may also want to know where his program stands on your list and may also ask how you are evaluating other programs. Be sure to answer these questions honestly and thoroughly.

The second visit, which can be a "paid" visit, should occur after you have narrowed your choices to a small number of schools. Paid visits can only be made after a student has started their senior year. Each student is allowed five [5] paid visits by NCAA rules to different schools and only one [1] paid visit per school.

A visit would be considered "paid" if the athletic department provides anything free for the recruit [i.e. meals, lodging, etc.]. The college may pay for transportation to and from the school and any expenses incurred during normal living arrangements as long as these expenses are not excessive. Paid visits can last up to 48 hours.

On the second visit the recruit will probably be staying with a varsity team member. If this occurs, you are encouraged to go to class with the player to experience the full flavor of campus life and get questions answered from a player's perspective. You need to be aware, the coach will be observing you so, act accordingly. At NCAA institutions, a recruit may not practice with the team while on a "paid" visit.

The Sport Source has a mission "to provide the perfect link between a student-athlete, a specialized sports program and a well-rounded college education." Since their inception, The Sport Source has developed numerous strategic alliances with high schools and national/international youth sports organizations that have encouraged them to introduce new services and continue to help improve college guidance and scholarship opportunities for students.