Campus visits play a crucial role in the recruiting journey, giving athletes a firsthand look at the schools they're considering. It's important to understand the distinction between official and unofficial visits to ensure you're maximizing your recruiting experience. On an official visit, the college covers key expenses such as travel, meals, and accommodations. In contrast, during an unofficial visit, those costs fall on the recruit. Both types of visits typically include complimentary tickets to home sporting events. In this article, we'll dive deeper into what an official visit entails and how to make the most of it.
What is an Official Visit?
An official visit is any campus visit where the school covers part or all of the expenses. College coaches usually reserve these invitations for their top prospects and athletes they’re seriously considering for scholarship offers. Being invited on an official visit is a significant milestone in your recruitment journey and signals strong interest from the program. It’s a valuable opportunity to showcase your potential while learning more about the school and its athletic culture.
Rules for Official Visits:
Each division level has its own set of rules surrounding official college visits. Division I has the strictest regulations. The following are the rules you need to know:
The NCAA allows recruits an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools, but they are limited to one visit per school. However, if there is a head coaching change after the initial visit, a second visit is permitted. For Division II and Division III schools, there are no limits on the number of official visits.
The school can cover certain expenses for you and your parents or guardians during an official visit. This includes transportation to and from campus, lodging throughout your stay, three meals per day, and up to three tickets to a home sporting event.
Schools may cover a recruit’s transportation to and from campus. However, they can only pay for a parent or guardian’s travel if they accompany the recruit in the same vehicle. Separate flights, bus, or train tickets for parents are not permitted.
Each official visit may be up to 48 hours long, or the span of one weekend.
D1 football recruits can begin taking official visits starting April 1 of their junior year of high school.
Official visits are not allowed to occur during recruiting dead periods.
What is An Unofficial Visit?
Unofficial visits refer to college campus tours that are not financed by the school. Instead, all expenses for these visits are covered by the recruit's family. While there are no limits on the number of unofficial visits a recruit can take, certain rules must be observed.
In most sports, athletes and their families cannot coordinate unofficial visits with a school’s athletic department (including coaches) until August 1 of the athlete’s junior year. While families are permitted to visit campuses before this date, they are not allowed to engage in any recruiting discussions with coaches during their time on campus.
It’s crucial to stay informed about the NCAA recruiting calendar to ensure compliance with these rules.
New Recruiting Rule Changes:
Effective April 13, 2023, the NCAA Division I Council announced that there will no longer be a limit on the number of official visits recruits can make to NCAA member schools. Starting July 1, 2023, recruits are allowed an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools. If there is a head coaching change after an official visit, the recruit may take a second visit to the same school. For men’s basketball, recruits can also take a second official visit to the same school, as long as it doesn’t occur in the same academic year.
What Happens on an Official Visit
While every official visit will differ slightly, recruits can generally expect a campus tour as a core part of their experience. This is your opportunity to familiarize yourself with the campus environment and consider whether you'd enjoy living there for the next four years. As you explore, take notes on what you like and dislike about each school; this will help you recall your impressions later. Use the following checklist to ensure you cover all the key areas during your visit:
Check out the library and attend a class.
Explore various housing options, both on and off campus.
Meet the training staff.
Dine at the school cafeteria or food court.
Schedule a meeting with an academic advisor.
Spend time on the campus grounds.
Stay off your phone to fully experience the campus atmosphere.
Coaches will typically want you to meet some team members—or even the entire team—to gauge your chemistry. You might also be invited to join a workout or other team activities. According to NCAA rules, any workouts you participate in cannot be organized by the coaching staff; instead, they are usually led by the team’s captains. Use this opportunity to connect with potential teammates.
Questions to Expect from College Coaches:
You'll likely have some one-on-one time with the coach, which is an excellent opportunity to ask any lingering questions. Before your visit, prepare a list of questions to ensure you don’t forget anything. The coach will likely ask you some questions as well. Here are a few examples:
“What other schools are recruiting you?” Be honest and mention the other schools you're in discussions with. If they are rivals or comparable to the school you’re visiting, this could increase the coach's interest in you.
“What other colleges are you visiting?” Again, honesty is key. Let them know about any other visits you’ve made or plan to make.
“When can you commit?” While being invited for an official visit doesn’t guarantee an offer, it often indicates strong interest. If this school is your top choice, consider expressing that. If you still have other schools to visit, that’s okay too—just give your best estimate on when you expect to decide. You can also inquire how long the offer will stand.
Some coaches may arrange for you and your parents to attend a home sporting event, have a teammate take you to dinner, or give you another tour of the campus. Plus, you’ll likely have some free time to explore the area and learn more about the school.
What to bring on the visit
A common question from recruits is what to wear on an official visit. The best advice is to err on the side of dressing up rather than down. Aim to look neat and polished throughout your trip. For men, a collared shirt paired with nice jeans or khakis is appropriate. Women can opt for a skirt, dress, or nice slacks or jeans. Avoid sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip-flops, and ripped jeans. Be sure to bring athletic clothes and shoes in case you get invited to work out with the team.
As previously mentioned, having questions prepared for the coach is crucial. Writing them down will help you remember what you want to ask and will demonstrate to the coach that you are organized and responsible. Make sure to research the school thoroughly before your visit.
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