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Get Scouted Scouting CareersThe next step in your life deserves your full attention and participation. Taking college visits is a vital part of the college search for all students, but it’s especially important for athletes trying to decide where to continue their education and athletic career.
Aspiring college athletes typically make their decision on which school to attend during on-campus college visits. Planning these visits should be taken very seriously, whether unofficial or official (as designated by the NCAA). The theory is that the more information a prospect has to consider, the better chance he or she has of making the right decision in the end.
In short, unofficial visits can be taken by any high school student-athlete at any time unless you’re a prospective D-I athlete. Official visits are invitation only and every athlete gets 5 to use over the course of their recruiting process.
Insider tip: Prospective D-I athletes can’t start taking unofficial or official visits until September 1 of the junior year.
For unofficial visits, all expenses are the responsibility of the prospect and their family, although the college may provide three complimentary tickets to their home athletic events.
Official visits have far more restrictions. They are by invitation only and, other than paying for travel to and from the campus, the college may, if they elect, assume responsibility for most, if not all, of the expenses associated with the visit.
Prepare for your College Visits
Regardless, prospects and parents should make careful preparations. Here is a comprehensive list of the things to consider before your next unofficial or official college visits:
1) Get clear directions to the campus and the buildings you’ll be visiting which will be designated by the admissions, athletic department or coaching staff.
2) Confirm the time for arrival and the start of the visit with the admissions office, athletic department or coaching staff.
3) Before the day of the visit, thoroughly peruse the college’s website. Decide which buildings and facilities you feel are most important for you to visit. Confirm that the school offers the major you plan to pursue. Read about the coaches you will be meeting and review the recent history of the program.
Insider Tip: You will immediately impress a college coach if you have done your homework!
4) Bring an official academic transcript from your high school. You may not need this on your visit, but we’ve had student-athletes come across this, and it’s always better to be prepared and ready to handle any situation.
5) Bring a copy of your skill or game video footage. You can either have it on a flash drive, disk, or a direct link. This way if the coaches you’re meeting with want to see something you will have it handy!
Do the Little Things Right
6) Make sure everyone going on the visit with you is dressed appropriately. We strongly advise that no one wears clothes with another college or university’s logo. It looks bad, and it could rub some coaches the wrong way. Also, it’s good to remember that your attire should look put together and appropriate for all audiences.
7) Arrive at the designated location at least fifteen minutes before the start of the visit. You know that saying if you’re on time your late? That applies to everything with college athletics. Be early and waiting for them instead of the other way around.
8) Make a good first impression by having a good firm handshake and making eye contact with every person you meet during the visit.
9) Do not bring your cell phone out during your visit unless it’s to take a photo of the beautiful campus or athletic facilities. If it’s not possible, then we suggest you leave your phone in the car or turn your cell phone off completely. Don’t get on your phone to text, tweet, email or send a Facebook message to anyone during the visit. Stay focused on what is happening all around you at all times.
10) Create a list of at least three, but no more than five, for each of the following people: admissions counselor(s), campus tour guide, a professor from your intended major, a current member of the team you are meeting with and the coaching staff.
Insider tip: For more information about what questions to ask on your college visits click here.
11) Be polite at all times, to every single person you meet. Coaches sometimes will play tricks on athletes to see how they act towards others. Consider every person you mee, during your time, on campus as important as the head coach.
12) Take notes to record your impressions, thoughts, and answers to your questions. You may leave this during the actual visit, but take time to recap when it’s over. This is very important, especially if you plan to make multiple visits. They will naturally begin to run together and to have notes to review when you are evaluating which colleges to eliminate or add to your consideration list will be a lot of help.
13) Remember to follow up. Send a thank you note via email to the coach immediately upon returning to your home.
Looking for some more advice and tips to make the most out of your recruiting process? Visit, www.nsr-inc.com
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.