UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE VISITS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

It’s summer time and besides beaches and barbecues it’s an ideal time for sophomores who are considering playing a sport in college to plan unofficial visits to various campuses. To clarify – an unofficial visit is anytime you or your parents visit a college that is funded by you. An official visit is any visit to a college that is paid for by that university. The NCAA mandates that official visits cannot be taken until opening day of classes of your senior year in high school.  I will discuss suggested questions for the official visit in a later post.

I am currently working with a high school sophomore who is leaving soon to take unofficial visits to several east coast colleges. I provided him with the following list of suggested questions to pose to the coaches that he will be meeting. This list is both lengthy and comprehensive so it’s best to select topics that you find most relevant. Also, I’ve included several questions that the coaches are likely to ask recruits – it’s a good idea to be prepared for these!

Finally, in addition to meeting with the coach and touring athletic facilities I recommend taking an official campus tour because this provides an excellent overview of the school. Make sure to take time to observe small but important nuances – the school newspaper, campus bulletin board and visit the student union and cafeteria. Strike up a conversation with a current student and ask what it’s like to be a student at XYZ school. You will find that most college students are more than happy to engage in this type of dialogue!

Here’s my list –

 RECOMMENDED QUESTIONS FOR UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE VISITS

ACADEMICS: 

• How accommodating are professors regarding the team’s travel schedule? 

• What happens if a class I want to take or need to take for my major conflicts with practice and game times? 

• Are there any majors that the coach would consider too time consuming for a team member? For example, some coaches discourage their players from majoring in subjects like pre-med or engineering because they are viewed as incompatible with playing a college sport. 

• What types of academic support services are available for student-athletes, i.e., tutoring, study halls, priority registration? 

• Do team members typically attend summer school in order to lighten their load during the season?

SCHEDULE: 

• Can you describe a typical daily schedule for a student-athlete on this team? 

• Is there a strength training program to complement the specific sport training? 

• What is the travel schedule like? How much class will I typically miss in a school year? 

• Are there any international trips planned? 

• Are there any team obligations, i.e., practices, training/conditioning regimens, tournaments over breaks and summers?

TEAM PHILOSOPY: 

• What is the philosophy of the school’s athletic program? What role do athletics play in university life? 

• What goals do you have as a coach for the team in the upcoming years? 

• What position are you recruiting me for? 

• What other players in my class are you currently recruiting and where do I stand on your recruiting list? 

• What is your recruiting timeline, i.e., when will I find out if I am being invited on an “official visit”? 

• Do you see me being a starter or significant contributor on the team? 

HEALTH, TRAINING, AND CONDITIONING: 

• What types of injuries have team members had in the past few years and how do you deal with these? 

• Is medical care and physical therapy available to the student-athletes? 

• What medical expenses does the college cover?

FINANCIAL ISSUES: 

• How many and what types (full/partial) of scholarships are available for my class? 

• How are scholarships renewed? 

• Will scholarships cover a fifth year? 

• What is your walk-on policy? 

CAMPUS LIFE: 

• Are student-athletes required to room with team members? 

• Is the team housed together in one dorm? 

• Is there a specific meal plan for student-athletes, i.e. an “athletic training table”?

• Do most student-athletes find it possible to balance athletics, academics, and a social life? 

• Are there any special team bonding events, community service activities, or trips?

QUESTIONS FROM COACHES: 

• What other colleges are you considering? 

• What is your intended major? (it’s ok to say you are not sure yet) 

• What is most important to you when choosing a school? 

• Will you be applying for financial aid? 

• Will you be willing to apply ED (early decision) or EA (early action)? 

• What is your upcoming travel team showcase schedule?