What to expect on a college visit

Now that a recruit has established a connection, it’s time to take a visit! It’s a good idea to do just a little bit of background research on the school and program before you go so that you have questions you can get answered in person.

Usually, a recruit will be provided with a host from the team, which is typically an active player on the roster. The host will show you around the school and often take you to get food and meet other members of the team as well. They will show you the facilities and tell you what it is like to play for the team.  However, it’s important to know that active team members are intent on putting their best foot forward, so it’s important to interject with questions that are specific to you.

Schools will put their best foot forward when it comes to recruiting events, because not only are they putting on a show for the potential recruits, but the parents that come with the recruits and the donors that want to see dollars put to good use as well.  Players have all of this in mind, but at the same time they remember what it was like for them to go through the recruiting process, so at a school visit they will most likely be your best possible source of information.

Ask your host if they are glad with their decision to play here, and if they could go somewhere else would they. Ask how they have matured as a player since they have gotten here and what the best and worst thing about playing for their coaches are.  

You can expect to get a clean, polished look from the school and even the coaches, but the players, if you press hard enough, will usually tell you what you need to know. If you don’t like your host, you can also request a new host as well. Besides that, it’s good to walk around campus on your own and really get a feel for what it’s like to live there.

Typically, recruits will be given some clothing and be provided with a specific coach on the staff that they can talk to once they leave campus.  This is a good way for recruits to stay in the loop, so make sure you keep his or her contact information handy. It’s also a good idea to get your host’s contact information as well so that if you think of any questions after you leave you can have them answered.

See How We Can Use This To Help You